6 This Is the Spirit of Revelation
6 This Is the Spirit of Revelation
This Is the Spirit of Revelation
The schoolteacher Oliver Cowdery stayed with Joseph Sr. and Lucy. They told him about the visions. He wondered if it was true. They gave him the advice to pray and ask the Lord.
Oliver received his witness that it was true. Later when he was questioning, Joseph told him of this revelation, found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:23, “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” That is something we should all think on. It is so important for us to remember. Journaling, pray, gratitude, and testifying, all help us to remember.
Everyone can seek and receive revelation from God. We need to desire it and ask humbly. We need to align our will with His and continue to repent.
Oliver wanted to be part of this Latter-day work. Do you?
Saints, 1:58–64: I listened to this earlier.
Heavenly Father speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine and Covenants 6; 8–9
Oliver was happy to be Joseph Smith’s scribe. As the revelations poured and Oliver wrote, he wondered if he could translate too. He didn’t realize what this gift entailed. Hard work.
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 6, 8, and 9, notice what the Lord taught Oliver about personal revelation. (For example. See notes below.)
Doctrine and Covenants 6:22 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.”
Write down what you remember from spiritual experiences and what the Lord teaches you.
Watch the Hear Him videos to see Church leaders experiences.
Maybe you can make your own video.
Look unto Christ in every thought.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37
The Lord counseled the saints “ Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word’s sake” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:18). Certainly, Joseph needed the early saints to do this. We need to do that now as well, as we defend our religion on our testimony of Jesus, the Restoration, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What do you find in His counsel to Joseph and Oliver in Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37 that helps you trus tin the Lord? (See notes below.)
What do you find in His counsel to Joseph and Oliver in Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37 that helps you trust tin the Lord?
How can I “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not?” (verse 36).
I think this has a lot to do with the counsel from our current prophet, President Nelson. We need to “Think Celestial.” In today’s world, it is so easy to get discouraged, and to allow discouraging thoughts carry us downstream. We need to be more humble, prayerful, and grateful. That’s what’s needed. We need to find our rest in encouragement in the Lord and not in modern technology that captivates and holds us captive.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.”
Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives
Doubt Not, Fear Not (Elder Uchtdorf video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HL2_-zSv8I
My Mind Caught Hold upon This Thought of Jesus Christ
“Fear not to do good.”
Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
The results of doing good will always bless us. Will there be opposition? Yes. Will the Lord help us move forward? Yes. Will we feel peace and validation from the Spirit? Yes. Are we still sometimes afraid? Yes. So was Peter.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37. What encouragement to do good do you find here?
We can found the validation and sustaining comfort we need to press forward directly from the Lord. We shouldn’t let the crowd dissuade us from what we know is right, just, and true. If we are built upon His rock, no other power can prevail against us.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
For Kids:
Because of Jesus Christ, I can “fear not.”
Doctrine and Covenants 6:34
Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:34: Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
What did Jesus tell Joseph and Oliver?
What does sheep do sometimes when they are scared? Are we willing to let the Lord be our Shepherd, so that we will flock to Him when we have fears? How does Jesus watch over us, like a shepherd watches over His sheep? Have you felt the Holy Ghost comfort you when you are afraid and you pray for help?
Dare to Do Right
Let Us All Press On
For Kids:
I can look to Jesus Christ in every thought.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:36
Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36: Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
Let the children draw pictures to express looking unto Jesus. Ask them where they will hang their picture.
“Even as you desire of me so it shall be.”
Doctrine and Covenants 6–7; 9:3, 7–14
As you read sections 6 and 7, pay attention to how many times “desire” and “desires” is repeated. Certainly the Lord cares about our wants and our needs, and our desires! Start dreaming again.
Ask yourself the question the Lord asks, Doctrine and Covenants 7:1: “What desirest thou?” Then talk to your Father in Heaven about that.
Even if not all of our righteous desires aren’t fulfilled, we need to remember that it is according to the Lord’s timing and His wisdom, and our personal faith in Him and our personal efforts.
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9:3, 7–14, what impressions do you receive that might help you when your righteous desires go unfulfilled for now? (See notes below.)
Doctrine and Covenants 11:8: Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.
Stop fearing; and start praying and working towards your goals and desires.
For Kids:
Heavenly Father speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:5, 15–16, 22–23; 8:2; 9:7–9
How can we learn to listen to the Spirit so that we can recognize Heavenly Father speaking to us?
Video: The Lord Sends Oliver Cowdery: Learning about how God speaks to us: Chapter 5: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
Video: Recognizing Revelation: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2021-12-0010-recognizing-revelation?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/6?lang=eng
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. Oliver Cowdery began his labors as scribe in the translation of the Book of Mormon, April 7, 1829. He had already received a divine manifestation of the truth of the Prophet’s testimony respecting the plates on which was engraved the Book of Mormon record. The Prophet inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received this response.
Vs 3-4 The harvest is here. Be a laborer. Keep your sickle with you and get to work. Don't you believe in the Father's Plan? Don't you want to help gather Israel. Gain the desire and the call is yours!
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 6, notice what the Lord taught Oliver about personal revelation. For example:
· What does Doctrine and Covenants 6:5–7 suggest about what the Lord requires of you before He will reveal His will?
Vs 5-7 Ask of God, receive; knock, He'll open; keep His commandment, and seek for what you can do to help establish the cause of Zion; don't worry about being rich, but seek wisdom from God; he will unfold to you the mysteries of His kingon; that is true richness. What is better than Eternal Life?
Vs 8 Truly, Honestly, In good faith, If we have this desire of the Lord, He'll make it happen for us. If we desire to join in His work, we will be the means of doing much good in our day!
Vs 9-13 Repent yourself and keep the commandments. Invite others to come unto Christ so that both you and they can be blessed.
Your testimony and your ability to teach is a gift from God. Remember it's a sacred gift.
Pray for understanding and for an increase in faith; be humble and repentent and keep the commandments; don't be slothful.
Exercise your gift by ministering and teaching others with faith. As you do so and continue in pray and scripture study, you will begin to understand the mysteries of the kingdom more and be able to bring many to a knowledge of the truth, because of your love for them and your desire for their happiness.
Don't flaunt your gift or boast about it to the world. Share your testimony with those who are faithful and those who are seeking after truth. Keep sacred things sacred. Remember Salvation is the greatest gift; offer the path to Jesus whenever and wherever you can.
The Father is pleased with the good things I've done; don't get weighed down because of your weaknesses. Seek after Him and inquire of Him more often; He will give you guidance and instruction through His Spirit. He's done so already. That is why you are here studying His word even now. Keep the faith!
· What do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–17, 22–24 about the different ways revelation might come? How can you recognize it?
Vs 14 The Father is pleased with the good things I've done; don't get weighed down because of your weaknesses. Seek after Him and inquire of Him more often; He will give you guidance and instruction through His Spirit. He's done so already. That is why you are here studying His word even now. Keep the faith!
Vs 15-17 Trust in the Voice of the Spirit. It brings you peace. You feel clarity. Revel in it. Know that God knows and loves you. When you feel something is true, trust in the knowledge the Lord is imparting to you.
Vs 18-20 Instruction to Oliver to be diligent. You be diligent too. Work together as a team with your husband. Have respect to your priesthood leaders. "Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity...Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
Vs 22-24 Hold onto the witnesses of truth you have already received. Repent if you need to, and then allow yourself to remember and feel the Spirit of your testimony and conversion, and allow yourself to accept the witness God has given you, so He can trust to give you more. You know that He knows you.
Vs 33 Don't be afraid of doing good. If you have a generous thought, act on it.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
Think Celestial.
Vs 37 Joseph and Oliver both saw Jesus Christ. If I look to Him in everything I do, I will see Jesus too; and I will inherit the kingdom of Heaven.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/7?lang=eng
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, when they inquired through the Urim and Thummim as to whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried in the flesh or had died. The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up by himself.
Vs 1-3 It's important for us to make our desires known to the Lord and to ask Him for the things that we desire. He wants to bless us.
Vs 4-7 It's no contest. The Lord is pleased with all of our righteous desires; and He has a different work or mission for us all to do!
8 Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. In the course of the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve as scribe, writing at the Prophet’s dictation, desired to be endowed with the gift of translation. The Lord responded to his supplication by granting this revelation.
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 8, notice what the Lord taught Oliver about personal revelation. For example:
· What does Doctrine and Covenants 8:1 suggest about what the Lord requires of you before He will reveal His will? We need to have a desire and we need to ask!
Vs 1 When we have a desire to do something and ask in faith with an honest heart, believing that the Lord will help us; He will. He can make things possible for us.
· What do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3 about the different ways revelation might come? How can you recognize it?
Vs 2 Even our members will be in agreement, if we approach knowledge from Him with a humble desire. We can feel the surety of His witness both in our hearts and in our minds.
Vs 3 Revelation is power. It is more than understanding or learning something through the Spirit. It is knowing how to proceed in His name. The spirit of revelation is the testimony of Jesus Christ.
· What else do you learn about revelation from these sections?
Vs 4-5 The gifts we are given are a help to us in the work that we do and a protection for us against our enemies. We need to remember the words Jesus teaches us through His Spirit, and we must keep His commandments. We must remember Him in order to retain our gift.
Vs 7-10 Learn more about the Gift of Aaron.
Vs 11 I can ask for understanding about all ancient record that I choose to study. God has the answers.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. Oliver is admonished to be patient and is urged to be content to write, for the time being, at the dictation of the translator, rather than to attempt to translate.
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9, notice what the Lord taught Oliver about personal revelation. For example:
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
· What does Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–8 suggest about what the Lord requires of you before He will reveal His will?
We have to study and work things out for ourselves.
· What do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9 about the different ways revelation might come? How can you recognize it?
When we ask about something that’s right, when we are on the right track, the Lord witnesses to us that it is so. When it is wrong, or not the right thing to do right then, we might just feel confusion.
· What else do you learn about revelation from these sections?
Vs 11 This is an interesting section. The Lord doesn't condemn us when we've had fear and haven't acted upon something that He opened the way for us to do. Even though we might lose that opportunity, he is patient with us and treats us with love; and He gives us other opportunities that we can handle and that will help us to grow.
12 For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
13 Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9:3, 7–14, what impressions do you receive that might help you when your righteous desires go unfulfilled for now?
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