Patterns of Revelation

Six generations after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden a righteous man named Enoch, received a message from the Lord in which he saw a large group of people called the people of Canaan who did not follow the teachings of their first father Adam and had become wicked. Enoch saw that the people of Canaan would go to war and destroy many lands. Enoch was instructed by the Lord to teach repentance and baptism to his people. Fortunately, there were many who believed the words of Enoch and they became righteous and strong and were able to defend themselves against the people of Canaan. Because they followed the teachings of Enoch “The Lord calls these people the people of Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness and there was no poor among them.” – Moses 7:18

A few Generations after Enoch, another righteous man named Noah received a similar massage from the Lord, that he should teach the gospel to everyone. Noah taught about faith in Jesus Christ, repentance and baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. But this time, unlike the people of Zion who followed Enoch, no one would listen and their destruction came as great floods began to cover the Earth. – Moses 8

About 600 years before the birth of the Savior, the people in the city Jerusalem were becoming increasingly wicked. The Lord knowing of the impending destruction that at the hands of the Babylonians, sought to save his children again by calling many righteous people to teach everyone that they must repent or the great city would be destroyed. Sadly, as in the times of Noah those who were called to teach repentance were rejected by the people. 1 Nephi 1

Many generations after Lehi left Jerusalem and came to their promised land; his descendants had become very numerous and covered the land that they had inherited. A man named Alma, seeing that iniquity was increasing and becoming a hindrance to the work of the church, left his position as the chief judge in the city Zarahemla and began to dedicate his life completely to teaching the gospel. We can read in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 16, that those who did not believe his words were destroyed by the Lamanites, but those who did believe were saved and like the people of Enoch, “there was no inequality among them.” – Alma 16:16 and the blessings of the lord were poured out upon them.

Several generations after the Savior visited the Nephites, and established his church among them, the Nephites continued to follow his teachings and listened to the disciple who had been ordained to lead the church. Because of this “there were no envying, not strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surly there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.” – 4 Nephi 1:16

Sadly little by little the next generations of the Nephites became prideful and began to reject the teachings of the righteousness followers of Christ. And we see that they fell from being such a happy people into a pattern of destruction, even until they were completely destroyed by the Lamanites.

These are just a few brief examples of a pattern we can see by studying the scriptures. The pattern is this: that Heavenly Father loves us and desires that we follow the teachings of his Son so we may be blessed, also that he calls righteous people to reveal his will and tell us the things we should do. We call these people prophets.

Prophets receive this revelation in a variety of ways including dreams, visions, thoughts and feelings, and sometimes by conversing with the Lord “even as a man talketh one with another face to face” Moses 7:4. This pattern of God revealing his will to us through prophets has existed since the beginning; it exists today and will continue until the time that he comes again.

In addition to this pattern of revelation, we also learn from the scriptures what happens to those who choose to follow the words of the prophets and those who do not. In both cases, the results are very predictable and consistent. The people of Enoch who became Zion and the people of Nephi each received great blessings and prospered because of their obedience to the teachings of the prophets, this is not to say that they were without trials for surely they had their share of challenges, but through their faith they were able to overcome them. We also see the pattern that followed those who were not obedient and rejected the prophets, destruction followed – whether physical, spiritual or both, some sort of destruction always follows.

What does it mean for each of us to follow the prophet in our own life?
Are we facing some sort of spiritual or physical destruction because we reject the teachings of the prophets?

Though we may not face an army of Babylonians, Lamanites or Canaanites at our door there are subtle ways that Satan will use to lead us away captive if we do not cling to the gospel that has been revealed.

There are many instances in recent history when prophets have provided us with revelation that has and will keep us from danger.
In February 1833 the prophet Joseph Smith, while pondering on the issue of tobacco use, received the revelation contained in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, which warns us of the harmful effects of substances like strong drinks, coffee, tea and tobacco. It was not until over a century later that modern scientists began concluding their studies about the relationship between tobacco use and it its negative effects on health. In 1965 finally congress passed legislation requiring warning labels on tobacco products. How much physical and spiritual destruction has been averted by following the prophet on this principle, and how great have been the trials of those who do not?

In 1995 president Gordon B Hinckley presented doctrine on the nature of families, the eternal nature of our souls as sons and daughters of heavenly parents and our responsibility as earthly parents to care for each other and our children. There is no question that within the last decade we have seen distinct changes in the way society regards traditional family values, resulting in a greater acceptance of immorality. How much physical and spiritual destruction has been averted by following the prophet on this principle, and how great have been the trials of those who have not?

Early in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, prophets taught principles of being self-sufficient, being industrious, avoiding debt and preparing resources to store for times of difficulty and get an education. These principles have been reemphasized on many occasions. I ask again, how much physical or spiritual destruction has been averted because of a simple food storage, an education or by getting out of debt. And how great have been the trials of those who have not obeyed.

In the year 2002 I began my service as a missionary in Venezuela. At that time just as today Venezuela was a country in crisis, in the midst of terrible political and economic changes. Despite being a country so rich in every natural resource a society could ever need there were frequently shortages of basic necessities such as flour, milk, sugar, eggs and clean water. The missionaries were given strict instructions to follow on the principles of being self-sufficient such as keeping a store of food, water and basic necessities. There were several occasions when this supply was all that we had to sustain us for days and even weeks at a time. I am very grateful that through inspiration and revelation, we received this council, because of it the work of the Lord was able to continue despite the many hardships the people were facing. And instead of becoming a burden on others, the missionaries were able be a blessing to many.

If you have ever thought to yourself, “famine is not likely to happen here, war is not going to come to our city, our neighborhoods are protected, safe and prosperous, so it is not necessary to strictly follow all the words of the prophets” the Lord has this to say regarding those feelings in 2^nd Nephi 28:20-21 “For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.”

Spencer W Kimball in the April 1976 General Conference said
"As we become more affluent and our bank accounts enlarge, there comes a feeling of security, and we feel sometimes that we do not need the supply that has been suggested by the Brethren. It lies there and deteriorates, we say. And suppose it does? We can reestablish it. We must remember that conditions could change and a year’s supply of basic commodities could be very much appreciated by us or others. So we would do well to listen to what we have been told and to follow it explicitly."

By studying the words of the prophets, another pattern may become clear. Prophets do not typically foretell of specific events that are to come. Though this has happened with the destruction of cities and especially the foretelling of the coming of Jesus Christ, prophets usually focus on teaching us who we must become, the things we should be doing, and the things we should watch for. This pattern is one that drives growth, because it requires faith.

Other modern revelations such as the establishment of the Relief Society, the Law of the Fast and Offerings, Temple worship, missionary work, keeping a journal, becoming involved citizens, the perpetual education program have been great blessings to those who have followed them. How have these teachings blessed your life?

The teachings of the prophets are also not limited to temporal principles, in fact none of their teachings are purely temporal but all have a spiritual application.

One thing is consistent among the teachings of all the prophets - that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and that through him we may be saved.

If you think of the most recent General Conference, can you recall a message that was shared by those we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators?

What are you doing to apply this teaching in your lives?