Sometimes the only thing separating us from the blessings we seek is our own "veil of unbelief," and if we can "rend that veil" (Ether 4:15), we may be surprised by what the Lord is willing to do for us.
Do you, or people you know, find it difficult to rend that "veil of unbelief" surrounding the promises attached to temple and family history work?
"If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God's children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, 'Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path." Dale G. Renlund, Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing, General Conference, April 2018 (Click here to watch the video.)
Healing and Sealing
As you study this lesson, you may want to read about the example of the Pratt brothers that Elder Renlund gives ih the talk quoted above.
"Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness."
As a family, talk about the promises Elder Renlund lists. Post them in your home and decide together how to put them to the test by consistently doing temple and family history work.
Promises to Covenant Israel
The gathering of Israel is happening right now! In addition to the promises listed by Elder Renlund (see above), what promises have been given to covenant Israel?
President Nelson: "As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. ... Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life."
President Russell M. Nelson: "I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation ... Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly." Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, Ensign or Liahona, May 2018
As you study Ether 2; 3:1–6 and 4:7–15, what truths do you find that help you understand how to seek personal revelation?
Record Your Experiences
In the above talk, President Nelson states: "Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will 'grow into the principle of revelation' [Joseph Smith]."
1. Record revelation in many accounts over time.
Joseph Smith set this example in his accounts of the First Vision, including different details depending on the audience and the time he was writing. Try writing down your experiences at different times. When I record in the moment, I save the feelings I had and the raw power of the message I’ve received. Later, when I read back over what I’ve written, I can experience those same feelings again. But when I write about the same experience again later, I often make connections that I hadn’t thought of before.
2. Write about it to multiple audiences.
When you have a spiritual experience, write it to different people (even if you never deliver it!). You can write to your mom, your best friend, your future kids, or even your future self. You’ll notice that you include different details and that your tone is different in each version. Doing this can help you remember all the details of your experience.
3. Find different ways to record other than writing in a journal.
I like making quick notes on my phone of phrases that stick out to me during church, or of thoughts that pop into my head while I am walking to work. You can also use tools in the Gospel Library App to record revelation while you are studying the scriptures. There are plenty of quick and easy ways to record promptings you receive—find what works best for you!
4. Record yourself talking about your experiences.
Fortunately, smartphones or tablets make this easy to do at any time. And whenever you’re feeling discouraged, you can watch or listen to these recordings and be reminded that God is aware of you and giving you personal direction. That knowledge and reassurance can be extremely powerful. You’ll experience the same feelings you felt when you received the original revelation, and you will also feel empowered to pursue ways to receive more inspiration from Heavenly Father.
5. Use prompts.
If you are struggling to record or even receive personal revelation, start by following the guidelines in Come, Follow Me. Answer the questions found in each lesson. Also, try asking those around you how they have recorded revelation. Everyone has their own way of remembering revelation, and your friends and family may inspire you to try new ways to record your impressions. (Bentlee Rice, Church Magazines)
In his October 2007 General Conference address O Remember, Remember, Henry B. Eyring relates why he began writing things down and the blessings of recognizing the Lord's hand in his life. See also:
