Recognizing revelation is a skill. How can we know whether we’re receiving inspiration from the Holy Ghost or simply noticing our own thoughts?
Elder Dale G. Renlund shares a helpful paradigm for perceiving promptings in his new book, Learning to Listen: Principles for Personal Revelation. He writes:
“The voice of the Spirit will prompt you to do good, not evil (see Omni 1:25; Moroni 7:16–17; Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–14). Church members sometimes ask, ‘How do I know whether the thought I have is my own or if it is from the Holy Ghost?’ Perhaps a better question to pose to ourselves is this: ‘Should I act on this particular thought?’” (emphasis added)
Turning Uncertainty Into Action
Elder Renlund explains that asking whether we should act on a specific thought can help us determine whether it leads us to do good. This approach can help give us the confidence to move forward and reduce feelings of overwhelm or decision paralysis.
He references the prophet Mormon’s teachings from Moroni 7: “Every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”
The Apostle also quotes the Lord’s instructions to Hyrum Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 11: “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.”
Therefore, according to these principles, Elder Renlund suggests we should act on a thought that meets the following criteria: “it promotes believing in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; it promotes loving and serving Them; and it promotes doing good.”
Focusing on What Matters
Ultimately, the Apostle believes that determining the source of the thought matters less than ascertaining whether it invites us to do good. He writes:
“If the thought meets these criteria, then does it really matter whether it was planted directly by the Holy Ghost in that exact moment or if the thought arose due to a lifetime of experiences and prior decisions? In reality, it does not.”
Read the articles below to learn more about how to recognize revelation:
▶ My life-changing realization about how the Spirit speaks to us
▶ The question to ask yourself when it feels like God withholds an answer
▶ How to open your heart to receive more revelation
