Principles of Revelation

What 5 principles of revelation can we learn through the Hiram Page crisis recorded in Section 28 of the Doctrine and Covenants?


1. Verse 1 says, "Behold I say unto thee, Oliver...thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the comforter..." This teaches us that any member of the church can teach any other member of the church materials concerning the revelations and commandments from God as long as they are teaching by the Spirit. Verse 2 says, "But behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church, excepting my servant, Joseph Smith Jr., for he receiveth them, even as Moses." In this verse, we learn that revelation for the members of the church can only be given through the prophets.


2. Verse 3 says, "And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church." In this scripture, God teaches us that whoever is called to teach those in His church or give revelation unto them must do it with power and authority. They must also be obedient. If they are commanded to reveal something unto the people, they must do it.


3. Verse 4 says., "And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of the commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it." This verse teaches us that if we are prompted by the Holy Ghost to teach one another, we must do it. Revelation can come in many different ways. The Lord may reveal to us a gospel principle that we need to teach one of our friends. He knows who needs to hear what and at what time.


4. Verse  says, "And thou shalt not command him, who is at thy head, and at the head of the church." We are not to command the prophet to do anything. We are to let him reveal unto us what the Lord has asked him to reveal. There are certain things that can only be revealed by certain people, and we must realize this.


5. Verse 7 says, "For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead." The Lord has given the keys to receive revelations which have been sealed from all others. The prophets are foreordained to be leaders of the church, and there are certain principles that other members of the church could not know first hand. Some principles need to be revealed by the men called of God. 


What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?


In Section 28, I learned that Satan can easily tempt members of the church to believe that they have the powers of revelation concerning anyone but themselves or their families. Prophets are called of God for a reason; God knows that they were and are faithful members who would be willing to be such wonderful servants of Him. There is tension with sources of revelation because some members believe that they should be the ones who are to reveal truths unto the other members of the church, but they do not have that authority. Revelation from prophets is much more important because the information they tell us comes directly from God.