Tuesday, January 2, 2024

John A. Widtsoe on Revelation in "Modern Revelations and Modern Questions"

  

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)