I might add there
that in order To obtain any
revelation from God pertaining to the Church of God, one must hold the
Priesthood; it is not given to one who does not hold it. Even Joseph Smith, as
a prophet in the latter days, began by receiving general instructions before
the Priesthood was conferred upon him, <and> before <he received>
the great revelations that lie at the base of this Church were given. God
fulfils and develops his plan by revealing himself and his plan to those who
hold the Priesthood. (That may come up in one of the later lectures.)
May I say while
on this subject that A question that
is often asked may be touched on here. For the <guidance of the> church
as a whole, God gives revelation only to those who hold general authority in
the church <and to them alone> but the authorized Priesthood alone
will receive revelation for the Church. Many men and women afflict the
Presidency’s Office with letters saying that God has spoken to them concerning
the guidance of this Church. That cannot be; it overthrows the whole structure.
Within the stake those who receive revelation or inspiration (you may call it
whatever you choose) for the stake are <the> stake officers within
it. And <in for? The ward, it is the bishop and his counsellors <who
receive divine guidance>. But for family guidance, I am The head of
the family, ^holding the Priesthood, has and I have the right to full and
complete revelation for the guidance of the family as an individual, I <can
claim> have a right to full and complete revelation for my personal conduct
<guidance. This order of right should be understood by all> my wife,
in the sameway, and each of my children, are entitled to personal guidance.
I marvel often
that men and women who are members of this Church give heed when someone in the
ranks—he may be ever so good—undertakes to receive revelation for the guidance
of the Church.
Revelation comes in various forms.
Revelation comes Sometimes <it comes> by spoken word. Perhaps
God <may> speak, or his messenger, speaks. Moroni, for instance, came
to the Prophet Joseph Smith and spoke to <Joseph Smith> him the
words <some of which are found> which the Prophet wrote down. You will
find in the 2nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants, words actually
spoken by Moroni. We have a few cases in which the Lord or his representative
have spoken words and they have been copied down verbatim; but they are very
few, indeed. (John A. Widtsoe, Lecture 1, “The Need and Nature of
Revelation,” January 13, 1938, Modern Revelations and Modern Questions,
10-12)