S4 E7 Recognizing God's Answers (D&C 6-9)

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In this episode Kerry and Janiece Johnson discuss the background of these crucial sections, and what it teaches us about recognizing how God speaks to us. They talk about common misconceptions, things that can make the process difficult, and how wonderful it it that God speaks to us, and that He speaks to us in so many ways.
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[@dinocollins720]

“Burning in the bosom” we need to remember was a specific revelation given to Oliver. In other words, that is a singular model for God to speak to Oliver. When we understand it’s a revelation specifically for him, we don’t need to worry if that’s not exactly how God speaks to us. We should take away that God will answer our prayers and questions and that He will speak to us in a way that’s special to us (so that we can recognize Him). I feel shivers and chills come over me. Almost like a tingling feeling. It’s not a cold feeling but a comforting light shock . Very distinct way God talks to me personally to recognize Him!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am so glad for all the ways God speaks to all of us!

[@JosephChild1]

One take away I got from this week's reading, is the importance of urgency in acting on the revelations that are received. Many times throughout the scriptures we see examples of "and they straightway did".. we don't usually see examples of "and they sat on their thumbs pondering the prompting they received and when they finally got around to going and doing, all their wildest dreams came true". Although God commands and waits to be obeyed, He expects a bit of urgency when He gives us promptings to do something. And when we are prompt in acting on our promptings (and of course the word prompting comes from prompt), we overcome fear and our trust with God grows. We are then trusted to receive additional promptings.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Beautifully said!

[@MamaJLW]

What a great insight!

[@shipace]

Thank you for this insight. So powerful!

[@jillbanfield3632]

Thank you for this insightful podcast. I served my mission in the 1970s during what might’ve been the height of describing answers from the spirit as “a burning in your bosom”. On my mission I spent much time studying and reflecting on the topic. In 1983. I wrote a book published by Bookcraft called Draw Near Unto Me addressing this topic. I talked about various ways that we can receive revelation in our minds and hearts, including the “no” answers and also when you feel like the Lord isn’t giving you an answer. Since then, thankfully, many talks have been given on this topic, especially in General Conference. Also much information is available in Preach My Gospel. In my experience, the key to figuring out how you feel when you receive revelation is in reflecting. Looking back on the answers that you have received and remembering how you felt. Write these feelings down and then pondering on them. This helps to clarify in your mind and heart the feelings you had so that you will recognize them again in the future. However, it’s important to know there’s no quick fix to learning how to recognize how the spirit speaks to you. But the Lord has promised that you can figure it out and he will teach you line upon line. Be patient with yourself.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

What a fantastic resource you created! This is important stuff you discuss in this comment. Thank you!

[@marciacrandall6034]

Thank you for that book! It has helped me in many aspects of my life and gospel growth.

[@dinocollins720]

Thanks so much bro Kerry and sis Janiece Johnson!!! Powerful lesson!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am so glad it is helpful for you!

[@susannakemp8078]

Really great discussion! I loved the comments about the different ways to receive revelation. I also really like the discussion about fear vs faith. Everyone alive knows that fear is a part of earth life. But what we do with it is the key!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

So true!

[@lindaleigh4815]

Several things: I often feel the Spirit best through hymns. Also, I often ask the same questions again because I let worry get to me - the Lord is very patient with me. And, sometimes I think we get so much push back from that negative guy we need further assurance. At least for me, I am still in process and learning tiny bits at a time on how I receive revelation. You're right - even if we have learned one way, we haven't fully arrived. More to come!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

It is so wonderful that God speaks to us in so many ways and that He keeps working with us as we learn to hear Him. Bless you and thanks for sharing!

[@sunshinedunker3220]

It has been my experience that revelation had come because I was the one that needed to be there for that person. I wasn't aware of their need, much less praying for a way to help them. Acting on this revelation completely changed the course of this person's life. I have received other revelations in my life as well, that action on my part, resulted in major blessings in my family's lives. When I have received personal revelation in my life, it has always come with a "knowing" from what source it came. There is never a question about if it was revelation or coming from my own imagination. I think God knows how to contact each one of His children according to how He knows they will recognize that it's from Him. He knows how to "get the job done" and who He needs to do it at that particular time! We are so blessed to be able to help Him carry out His work!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Great observations!!!

[@barbarajohnson757]

Thank you both for this discussion which was just exactly what I needed to hear.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am so glad to hear it! Bless you!

[@munchie10323]

A wonderful discussion. Thank you. I learned so much!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am so glad!!!

[@JosephChild1]

I appreciate the thought that Moses listened to the promptings and acted on the prompting to part the red sea. It's amazing to me that so many great and wonderful miracles happened because inspired people listened to promptings from the still small voice. I think of Nephi when he was commanded to kill Laban, which I'm sure was another example of the whisperings of the spirit. I'm sure that even his first reaction to the prompting was, "Was that the spirit, or was that my own idea?" I think both of these situations were times in which you would want to be certain you understand the Lord. What great examples we have throughout the scriptures of listening to the Spirit and acting on those promptings.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

We are so blessed to have these examples and the opportunity to learn from them!

[@dinocollins720]

Oliver has the gift of Arron (the rod), I believe, in part because God set him up as a type of Aaron. 2 Nephi 3 Lehi prophesies of the 4 Joseph's and specifically says Joseph Smith jr will be a type of Moses. Then it talks about how Moses was given Aaron to help him. The chapter talks about how Aaron was a more educated mouthpiece, Aaron was to dictate for Moses, Aaron had a rod, Aaron had the priesthood, Aaron was Moses 2nd in command. Oliver fit all these exact same roles as Aaron (educated mouthpiece, to dictate, with rod, received priesthood, second elder/assistant President)

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Good stuff!!!

[@lindaleigh4815]

It occurs to me the arrival of Oliver to be scribe must have been a relief to Emma as well.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am sure you are so right! And also the arrival of Samuel, to get some work done!

[@patriciawinnie778]

I think we are acting in the same vein. I consider that I am pushing my fear aside and acting with faith; faith has superceded real fear.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

That is wonderful!

[@bobwilson7392]

How do you know that Joseph is the mouthpiece of the Lord?

[@tammyvancleve]

i feel you read and study his words or more importantly you study the words of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants as well as the Book of Mormon as well as other writings and pray pray pray sincerely. so many of us needed and wanted to know…. God knows your heart and if you are willing to have faith to believe in Lord Jesus and His prophet and spokesperson- wanting to )truly know …from God. so hard to write this on a very small keyboard

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I agree with @tammyvancleve. If we will seriously read the things Joseph said and the pray about it and be open to the Lord to guide us, and are asking with real intent, then God will let us know. He has let me know.

[@cathyskelton5958]

We have to many freebies in America we have to learn how to trust Jesus. Now before WE have No other Choice.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

It is so true that we all need to trust in Jesus more!

[@velocirapture89]

This discussion assumes that god cares about you as an individual enough to answer your prayers. I don’t believe in an individualistic god, though. He clearly cares about numbers, but individuals…I’m not convinced. TBH this kind of notion is very western, even American in nature.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

The Psalms would disagree with this conclusion. This is a very ancient set of personal songs and poetry, and not western at all, and it clearly demonstrates a belief in a God who is involved with the individual. In ancient Egypt there were plenty of people who thought they would get very direct answers from gods about very specific questions. I have had so many experiences, and so have many others that I know, that make it absolutely clear to me that God is very involved in my individual life. As my Father He knows me by name and cares about me as His individual child. That is true of you too. I would encourage you to reach out to Him with that understanding and that expectation, and I believe that you will find that there is a real and personal connection and relationship with your Father.

[@velocirapture89]

@TheScripturesAreReal hmm this is interesting

[@velocirapture89]

@@TheScripturesAreReal The biggest problem I have is this. I have heard so many different people tell me what the Holy Ghost has "told" them that I have lost much confidence in that avenue of discernment. I've heard people say the Holy Ghost told them the Book of Mormon was true, or he said it wasn't true, or God is pleased with them violating the law of chastity, or the spirit told them to oppose the prophet, or the spirit told them that Joseph Smith was a womanizing charlatan...it's almost similar to what JSH says about the Bible, "[they understood the Holy Ghost] so differently as to destroy all confidence by an appeal to [the Holy Ghost]." There needs to be some kind of repeatable, dependable method of discernment. Otherwise, it's just a he said/she said kind of thing, and there's never really any way to truly dig down and discover what is fundamentally true and what is not. There's no reason why I should trust my ability to discern over anybody else's. So, maybe, my issue is really a lack of self-confidence above anything else, but I don't see any reason why God would tell me the truth and not another person. I can't read their minds.

[@JosephChild1]

​@velocirapture89 I think it's important to remember that good things come from God and evil things come from the devil (Moroni 7:5-14), and that if you "search diligently in the light of Christ .. ye may know good from evil" (Moroni 7:15-19)

[@velocirapture89]

@@JosephChild1 yeah, but how do you discern the difference? That's the problem. And, again, there's no reason for me to assume that I'm right while others are wrong. How could the whole world be wrong?