~by Michelle

Exodus 14 is one of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament. Besides containing the amazing miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, I also appreciate the commentary on human nature contained in these verses. It’s easy to look at the children of Israel and roll our eyes, but to me, they represent the human nature in all of us that can tend toward complaint, fear, pain avoidance, and false narratives (which, ironically, cause us more pain). Life isn’t easy, and barriers come along the way that can leave us feeling a lot like they did.

There are also some amazing life mantras from Moses in this chapter, such as “fear ye not, stand still” and “hold your peace.”

But God had something to add to Moses’ words to the people. It was, “Go forward.”

I sometimes imagine the children of Israel looking at the sea of water in front of them and thinking, “Um, Moses, we are being chased and there’s this thing called the Red Sea in our way. We are trapped! We have plenty of things to be afraid of here! Could you get real and take us back to where things were predictable?” [Sometimes even misery can be preferred to the unknown, simply because it’s known.]

Moses knew that things would be okay. How? Because he was listening to the Lord, and he was ready to follow the instructions he had received.

What’s fascinating to me is that the instructions he received were relatively simple. He was told to speak and to hold up his staff.

In The Church of Jesus Christ, we have additional books of scripture that shed more light on the story of Moses and the children of Israel. One such scripture is found in Doctrine and Covenants 8:-2-3.

Here Jesus Christ (the same God — known as Jehovah in the Old Testament — who guided and helped Moses in the deliverance of the children of Israel) is talking through the prophet Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery. Oliver was helping as a scribe when Joseph was translating the plates on which the ancient scripture found in The Book of Mormon were written.

In this chapter, the Lord teaches about how divine guidance from Him works.

2 [B]ehold, I will ^atell you in your mind and in your ^bheart, by the ^cHoly Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation…

These verses describe how any of us can receive answers and guidance from the Lord, through the Holy Ghost.

But the second part of verse 3 is stunning to me:

…behold, this is the spirit by which Moses ^abrought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

How did Moses part the Red Sea? He simply received and followed revelation. He acted in faith on the relatively simple instructions he received. He responded and trusted.

And then the Lord parted the sea.

And Moses stretched out his hand over the ^asea; and the Lord ^bcaused the ^csea to ^dgo back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea ^edry land, and the ^fwaters were ^gdivided. (Exodus 14:21)

Sometimes it can feel like we are facing an impossible Red Sea in our lives. The Lord’s teaching through Joseph Smith about the parting of the Red Sea gives me hope for such times. All we have to do is get guidance for our relatively simple part (our “next right thing(s)”) and then watch to see how the Lord will help clear the way forward.

Other miracles in the Bible share a similar message. Just go wash in the Jordan. Just make this cake first. Just look at the serpent on the pole (see how this and other stories abotu Moses and the children of Israel get some wonderful attention in the Book of Mormon). Just let those carrying the ark of the covenant put their toes into the water. Take a step into (or onto) the water. Just wash this spittle off your eyes. Just draw some water from that well.

Just “Follow me.”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our prophet today points us to Jesus. He says, “Hear Him.” We can hear Him through a living prophet (like a Moses in our day) . And if we seek the Lord’s guidance in our lives, He’ll keep giving us personal guidance as well that can allow even more of His power and peace to flow.

What’s your next right step that the Lord is inviting you to do? Don’t focus on the sea in front of you, focus on Him, and let Him part the sea in His time and way.

Just Hear Him...”in your mind and in your heart…by the Holy Ghost…which…is the spirit of revelation.”

This post is edited from the original.

The post How did Moses part the Red Sea? appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I recently read a friend’s blog post that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. She was quoting her missionary son about how missionary work works. Essentially, he noted that his companion often tells people that anyone can lie to them — a pastor, a parent, a friend, a missionary. But God doesn’t lie. He then teaches them that one of the things that is so central to our message is that people can get answers from God. People don’t have to rely on anything a Mormon says. They can get answers from God directly through the Holy Ghost.

For example, Mormon missionaries invite people to ask God about the Book of Mormon, whether Joseph Smith was called as a prophet, whether the Church is true.

This personal connection with God also extends beyond asking Him what is True in terms of Mormon teachings, but can reach into every facet of our lives. God cares about us. God knows each of us personally. God wants to help us and give us guidance, direction, and assurance about His love through the channel of personal revelation.

This seeking for personal revelation, personal answers, personal connection with God really is central to Mormon faith and doctrine.

Bruce R. McConkie and Loren C. Dunn both spoke about the importance of personal revelation and experiences with the Holy Ghost in their 1971 General Conference talks.

In his talk, “The Lord’s People Receive Revelation,” Elder McConkie said:

Joseph Smith said that a man could learn more about the things of God by looking into heaven for five minutes than by reading all the books ever written upon the subject of religion. Religion is something which must be experienced.

I know people who can talk endlessly about religion but who have never had a religious experience. I know people who have written books about religion but who have about as much spirituality as a cedar post. Their interest in gospel doctrine is to defend their own speculative views rather than to find out what the Lord thinks about whatever is involved. Their conversations and their writings are in the realm of reason and the intellect; the Spirit of God has not touched their souls; they have not been born again and become new creatures of the Holy Ghost; they have not received revelation….

Religion comes from God by revelation and deals with spiritual things; and unless and until a man has received revelation, he has not received religion, and he is not on the path leading to salvation in our Father’s kingdom.

In Loren C. Dunn’s talk, “Drink of the Pure Water,” he shares a powerful quote from Brigham Young about what experiences with the Holy Ghost (the vehicle for personal revelation, sometimes called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, the Lord’s Spirit) can be like:

“There is no other experience known to mortal man that can be compared with the testimony or witness of the Holy Ghost. It is as powerful as a two-edged sword and burns in the breast of man like a consuming fire. It destroys fear and doubt, leaving in their stead absolute unqualified, and incontrovertible knowledge that a principle or thing is true. …

“This same testimony has sustained faithful saints to the present day and will be a lamp to their path forever. The effect of this testimony reaches above and beyond all physical or earthly things and makes relationship with God the Father a literal, pulsing fact. Every fiber of both body and spirit respond to the witness of that testimony and the soul knows and lives the truth.”

I’m reminded of a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott:

I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.

I love this reminder that personal connection with God is central to religion. It seems so obvious, and yet how often is the spiritual crowded out in our busy lives, even sometimes by busyness in religious service?

As we start a new year, I desire to keep this principle about personal revelation front and center in my mind and make sure to make room for spiritual connection with God every day…not in some checklisty way, but to give God space in my heart to speak to me and let me know of His love and His truths — both the general ones that are given for the world, and the personal ones that are just for me.

I’m so grateful to know God is real and that personal revelation really can and does happen.

– – – –

Following are my friends’ posts from this week’s readings:

Comforting the Afflicted and Afflicting the Comfortable – Nathaniel Givens
A Rebuke from President Harold B. Lee and Debunking the Iron Rod vs Liahona Taxonomy – J. Max Wilson
The Eternally Durable Iron Rod – John Hancock
Harold B. Lee on The Millstone of “Liberal” Religion – Ralph Hancock
“And If It Be In You It Shall Abound” – Walker Wright

The post Religion, Revelation, and Resolutions (#ldsconf Odyssey) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

In this Mormon Channel Relief Society program, Sister Beck responds to several women’s questions about how to receive and recognize personal revelation. What does personal revelation feel like? How do you know if answers are coming from God or they are just in your mind? How can you receive revelation when life is tiring and stressful? What if answers aren’t coming even after a lot of effort, scripture study, prayer, fasting, etc.? Is it OK to have questions?

Hear what Sister Beck has to say in response to these and other questions. Hear her share things that have helped her learn to develop this ability to hear and recognize answers to prayers.

The post How do we receive and recognize personal revelation? – Q&A with Julie B. Beck appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Jen H.

As a mother of five, involved with many many things, I am challenged to find privacy anywhere. Just the other day after a long and exhausting day, I laid in bed and pondered how impossible it was that throughout my day I had not had a single moment where I was not being touched, rubbed, tugged at, sung to, talked to, hollered at, cried at, complained to, questioned, argued with, negotiated with, laughed at (or with) and on and on. I realized how hungry I was for a little simplicity and quiet.

I love (love love) being a mother, I love my children intensely and never wish my life was anything different than it is… However, as I have grown in to motherhood I have realized a weakness of mine that I wish to change.  I am by nature a very focused person. If I over-schedule and over-commit, the most important things in life unintentionally become subordinate to the less important things.  When I discipline myself and take the time to listen,  ponder and pray to my Heavenly Father, He reveals to me just what I need to know, right when I need to know it.

In this case, I was able to recognize my discomfort, realizing there was a larger need not being met. Had I not taken the time to reflect on the importance of quiet and the tremendous value of simple things (two things I have to work hard to obtain but essential for my quality of life) I would have missed this tender messages sent direct to me FOR me from my loving Father in heaven.

Every summer we take an extended hiatus to Utah and visit my mother  on “The Ranch.” A quick departure from the hustle and bustle of reality, to a slower paced, relaxed, paradise like environment. When I am there, my testimony grows almost spontaneously. While at home, it is very challenging if not nearly impossible to coordinate quality quite time with all the coming and going but it is nonetheless imperative for proper planning and prioritizing of a big family. Effective listening to those promptings of the spirit is KEY to proper self mastery. When I “plan my life” and prioritize effectively, I permit myself the opportunity to slow down and breathe and listen…. I then am flooded with little nuggets of personal revelation/inspiration and am embraced in the arms of quite reflection. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:

“… We should lower the noise level in our homes so that the noise of the world will not overpower the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost….”

Though I have a wonderfully noisy home, our home can and should be “still” too. If it is hard to come by, than that probably means I need it most and should strive harder to lower the noise level, redirect my schedule to allow times for meaningful, uninterrupted reflection and conversations between myself and the Lord.

Distractions… There are OH so many distractions. It is easy to be thrown off track with often times essential and inevitable distractions,  that is part of life, the key is knowing how to get myself back on track. Elder Russell M. Nelson said:

“Some people on life’s journey forget who they really are and what is really important. Without sure identity and priority, blessings that matter most are at the mercy of things that matter least…. Eternal principles that govern happiness apply equally to all. “

Isn’t that the truth, when noise and distractions are present “blessings that matter most are at the mercy of things that matter least…”.

Every time I adjourn our visit from that wonderful paradise in Utah, I am filled with a new commitment to increase the quite in my home, to simplify and sanctify my home. It is not the things that are important, it is the people. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:

“In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”

I want my home to “become something”… a quiet still haven from the noisy world and the battle ground of the adversary even amongst the chattering, wrestling and big family banter. Though this requires a great deal of strategic discipline and commitment, the blessings are profound which I have personally witnessed.  I have a found a new love for quiet and bear testimony to the importance creating space in my life to have that time. Striving for a more peaceful home free of unnecessary noises of the world and distractions which will then lend itself to a home full of important, meaningful, eternal relationships, home where “eternal principles that govern happiness” will be available to all.

“[S]eek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness; and all … things shall be added unto you” (JST, Matt. 6:38; see KJV, Matt. 6:33, footnote a)

The post First Person: Home a Quiet Haven appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Personal revelation is also essential to our sojourn on earth. Personal revelation exists to provide

…a confirmation in the hearts of the believers that…revelation to the prophets is true. It also consists of individual guidance for every person who seeks for it and follows the prescribed course of faith, repentance, and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (From the entry on revelation in the Bible Dictionary.)

An important part of our journey on earth is to learn how to communicate with God through prayer and through seeking personal revelation. One of the key ways that we can receive personal revelation is through the Holy Ghost, sometimes called the Spirit.

The Holy Ghost speaks to our hearts and minds. Learning to recognize the Spirit’s voice is an individual process and experience, but sometimes it helps to hear how others experience and recognize the Spirit. We invite you to share how you can tell when God is communicating with you.

One thing to note is that there is no one way that people experience the Spirit. For some, direction from heaven comes in the form of peace and other simple but pure, light-filled feelings. Some feel a physical sensation of burning in their hearts. Sometimes, revelation comes in the form of mental clarity and ideas. Sometimes, it’s simply a feeling that things are falling into place.

Many times, over a lifetime, a person will have experienced personal revelation in various ways. Often, there is a combination of thoughts and feelings that help one recognize the reality of revelation.

Learning to recognize the Spirit is something that can take time, patience, and experience. It certainly takes faith and obedience and diligence. It’s a wonderful thing to know that we, as children of God, can receive personal guidance and comfort and help through the gift of personal revelation.

**Please note: The answers in “Ask a Mormon Woman” and reflect the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of individuals. Although here at Mormon Women, we strive to have our content consistent with the Church’s doctrine and teachings, we do not speak officially for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For official information about or from the Church, please visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.

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For more Ask a Mormon Woman questions/answers, please click here.

Do you have a question you would like to submit? Simply include a comment below, or send an email at gmail with the username ‘mormonwoman’

To hear several members’ experiences with the search for truth and finding answers to life’s questions, see this page at mormon.org.

For more about this topic, see the following articles:

Robert D. Hales, “Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets,” Liahona, Nov 2007, 86–89

James E. Faust, “Communion with the Holy Spirit,” Liahona, Mar 2002, 3

L. Lionel Kendrick, “Personal Revelation,” Ensign, Sep 1999, 7

Gerald N. Lund, “Is It Revelation?,” New Era, Jul 2004, 44

Visiting Teaching Message: “Receiving Personal Revelation,” Liahona, Sep 2000, 25

Search for more articles at lds.org – suggested topics include: revelation, personal revelation, answer to prayer, divine guidance, Holy Ghost, pure intelligence….

The post <i>Weekly question</i>: On recognizing the Spirit appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

And watch for Monday’s weekly question, which will relate to this topic.

The post <i>Review, Reflect, and Return</i>: Gospel Doctrine lessons on personal revelation appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.