Rethinking Revelation

When I was about twelve, yet another retelling of the Cinderella story released into theatres in a magic-free but nonetheless magical version called Ever After. One my favorite scenes this film involves prince pacing along riverbank, bemoaning challenge finding his true love to Leonardo da Vinci. He asks great Renaissance man, How can you be certain find [the right person]? And if them, are they really one for you, or do only think are? What person you're meant with never appears? Or she does too distracted notice? You learn pay attention. Then, let's say God puts two people on earth, and lucky enough another. But them gets hit by lightning. Well, then, what? Is that it? perchance meet someone new marry again. lady should with, it first? side side, were both just met first is second supposed first?1An understandably exasperated Vinci tells he needs attention not leave everything fate. In other words, quit worrying making choice choose.Knowing how make good decisions rather overwhelming perhaps lead us petrified paranoia indecision, afraid getting wrong move forward faith. seeking out answers understand recognize voice God, scriptures prophets have offered plenty advice. For instance, many suggested pattern searching scriptures, meditating upon answer, praying clarification. Simple. we know received an answer? section 8 Doctrine Covenants, Joseph Smith reveals Oliver Cowdery will told “in [his] mind heart” what (D&C 8:2, emphasis added). Another revelation refers as being enlightened alone 6:15). To complicate matters, President Harold B. Lee once said, “When your heart begins tell things not, then Spirit Lord,” direct contrast additional counsel given.2 Should wait feel peace mind? Of heart? both?Other speak hearing internal voice—sometimes loud one, more often still small—or insight through written word God. We might listen music, experience feelings peace, intense “burning bosom.” Answers may come time company others. words: there so possible avenues which receive divine that, like Prince Henry After, end up stuck riverbank trying desperately whether answer sought for, anxious decision act at all.We feeling times unsure promptings receive. Consider Nephi. Nephi, raised Jew same household father, prophet Lehi, would known had commanded kill. found himself feet drunken Laban prompted kill man who stood between him access records ancestry. Three “constrains” Nephi instruction Laban, leaving literally shaking thought. The “constrain” “still” “small.” It suggests boldness urgency. Its Latin root shackled. later French definition defines “constraining” exerting force, physical moral, being. This no subtle powerful immediate contradiction previously understood immutable truth. listens must reconcile conflicting instructions. commandment retrieve record order perpetuate gospel among descendants. follows moment slays thus preserving important information family.Another example comes from Mother Eve, also presented She Adam multiply replenish take care garden, enjoy every benefit garden except fruit tree knowledge evil. Eve eventually recognizes fulfill God's plan, need their temporary paradise sacrifice ignorance ease labor. They cannot follow instructions: able study these choices her decision, accepting consequences choice, bad.We look Abraham near son, Isaac. Although portrayed young boy art, religious scholars suggest instead Isaac grown much participant climbing Mount Moriah onto alter father built. been confusing utterly devastating Sarah, after years living without children. Yet even when inspired unthinkable, full intent Abraham's knife air above before “called unto heaven” (Genesis 22:11) spare Isaac's life.From stories others, while spirit joy comfort following Spirit, necessarily mean action always inherently comfortable uncomplicated. sense could seem contradictory felt true. landlord Brother Duffin said eloquently me week, bit “crazy, cuckoo bonkers.” let consequence follow, murky unfathomable. mountain heights stormy seas—but be. prepared travel waters paths familiar unfamiliar seemingly anyone.How know, faith firmly land crazy, cuckoo, bonkers? believe most steps free ourselves belief ever our lives bad. part fabric human experience. ripple outward universe positively negatively. Part receiving acting personal requires abandon notion control either those promptings.The philosopher Aristotle created free. means, Fiona Terryl Givens explain, “that agency exist, flourish, beings. (The creator responsible nature [and failures] created, cookies, bridge, soul.)” Because essential piece simply “willing subjects Father's plan collaborators its very inception.”3As expecting continue collaborate stumble tasks continuing restoration gathering Zion. centers around using anxiously engaged causes doing own will.4 Parley Pratt taught preferences “are mainsprings life happiness—they cement all virtuous heavenly society. . Aided directed light heaven affection, attribute, power energy body cultivated, increased, enlarged, perfected glory happiness yourself whose fortune associated you.”5 Our particular spheres influence interest directly relate way connect heaven. some beautiful individualized ways draw closer parents language us. am likely prayers excellent book, theatre, symphony.On hand, become lost translation. overshoot mark, misunderstand, misapply instructions inadvertent pharisees, promoting causing harm. I'm reminded lessons heard younger girls sex marriage chewed gum wants, racist false messages ago Black members Church priesthood because mark Cain. desire apply gospel, small serious errors.We knowing has assist corrections. fact, role is, part, mess. “[God's] energies spent precluding chaos reordering it, preventing suffering, alchemizing disallowing error transmuting goodness. Satan's unhindered efforts assimilated greater purpose. malice biblical Joseph's brothers became instrumental entire household's salvation. If transform cosmic entropy alike fire purifies than destroys, actions well-intentioned less-than-perfect [humans].”6 best Atonement sift away tares wheat.It reasonable expect anyone else completely mastered art interpreting communication any assume perfect results everyone exception time. Instead, rely atonement Savior cover unable do. As students divine, merciful parents, give others grace best. can, should, causes, works anti-racism, gender parity, creating safer spaces eternal family LGBTQ community. seek address poverty, public health, accessibility concerns. consider areas expertise good, opportunities arise.It testimony impulses reality source inspiration result interaction impulses, beloved older brother ensure right. Thus, confidence striving meek humble correction comes. so, work co-creators partners building