Modern-day Revelation

The idea of modern-day revelation seems to ruffle feathers. Many people believe that God no longer speaks to us, and that once the Bible was finished, He had no further interest in dealing with mankind.

Does that mean that those born during Biblical times were more deserving of God’s word and His love? Are we, during this time, not entitled to heavenly revelation? This sentiment seems to indicate that God is something other than a loving father who cares for every one of His children.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that He is our Heavenly Father and that He loves each of us. It makes sense to me that He would then want to communicate with us. He’s stated that desire specifically in 2 Nephi 29:9, “ . . . And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man . . . .” Heavenly Father plans to continue communicating with us and teaching us.

Many claim that the Bible is all we need and that anything else, specifically the Book of Mormon, is false doctrine, or the doctrine of the devil, because we have no more need of God’s word than what is contained in the Bible. It’s similar to the idea that since I taught everything I thought was important to my older kids, I don’t need to teach anything to my younger kids—they can get all the information they need from their older siblings. After all, I’ve already said everything I needed to when I was raising my older kids, why would I need to keep teaching the younger ones?

Fortunately, we have the scriptures to teach us, “Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written” (2 Nephi 29:10).

Heavenly Father isn’t done teaching us. He continues to communicate with us personally through prayer and personal revelation, and as a people through his prophets and apostles. General Conference allows Heavenly Father to communicate to all of us as He teaches us through His servants.

Though He said and taught much in the Bible, that doesn’t mean he’s finished speaking to us. We have been blessed with modern-day revelation to help guide us in these confusing latter-days. To think He has abandoned us, or doesn’t care, simply because weren’t born during biblical times seems ludicrous to me.

He loves each one of us as much as anyone who came before us. He wants each of us to return to Him. His purpose is clear in Moses 1:39, “For this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” What better way to do that than to continually teach us through modern-day revelation?

David and Goliath

I remember hearing the story of David and Goliath even when I was a kid attending other churches. It seemed like the ultimate underdog-defeats-giant-and-comes-out-the-victor story that shows even the smallest of us has a chance.

While that’s true, the real lesson is quite different. The Philistines intended to overtake the Israelites. They’d been at war, as has been the cycle for the children of Israel. The Philistines presented a great warrior who was not only large, he was fierce and determined to subject the Israelites to Philistine rule once and for all. Goliath of Gath declared, “ . . . choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. . . . I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together” (1 Samuel 17:8-10).

Goliath boasted of his own strength and relied upon himself. He was sure that no man could kill him. When he saw a young David, he was even more sure of himself. What he didn’t realize was that what David lacked in physical strength and stature, he more than made up for in his faith in God. David relied solely upon the Lord to help him defeat Goliath. David said, “ . . . who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).

Goliath stood ready with his armor, sword, and spear while David had a slingshot and some stones he’d found. David told Goliath, “ . . . I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand . . .” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David had faith in the power of the Lord and with one small stone he killed Goliath.

Was it the force of the stone that killed the giant? I doubt it. I believe it was David’s complete faith and obedience to the Lord that destroyed Goliath. Surely, Goliath’s physical strength would’ve overpowered a young boy such as David, but the Lord chose to allow David to slay Goliath. The Lord rarely strikes people down, but rather allows natural events to fulfill his purposes.

What can we learn from this story? We all have goliaths in our own lives. One person’s “goliath” may not be another person’s, but we all have things that seem insurmountable at the time. When my son was diagnosed with Down syndrome, I felt as if it was a goliath in my life. I wasn’t sure how I could deal with it along with raising all of my other children. But, I learned that with the Lord’s help nothing is impossible. Yes, my son still has Down syndrome, but I have no doubt at all that the Lord will bless me to deal with whatever comes from his diagnosis and to be the best mother I can be to him and that he will bless my son to accomplish whatever mission he has to accomplish here on earth.

No matter what we encounter, if we rely on the Lord, he will steady and strengthen us, even when the odds don’t look like they’re in our favor. When my sister-in-law faced lung cancer, she may have seen it as a goliath in her life. Though she didn’t beat the cancer in this life, cancer didn’t beat her in the next. She never lost her testimony and fully relied on the Lord until the day she passed away.

May we all face our own goliaths with the faith of David and make sure that we slay that which stands in our way or eternal exaltation.

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The Bible and the Book of Mormon

The 8th Article of Faith states, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”

Many people erroneously believe that we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do not believe in the Bible. We do believe in the Bible. We read from it, teach from it, and use it to guide our lives.

In fact, our high school-aged youth are encouraged to enroll in Seminary. Though in some areas Seminary is offered at various times throughout the school day, in many areas it is offered only in the early morning, before school begins. Youth study the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Church History in Seminary. Our youth spend two years studying the Bible. In fact, my daughters are studying the New Testament this year.

As a Seminary graduate, I also studied the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Church History. As an adult, I have continued my study and have come to love the New Testament and learning about the mortal ministry of the Savior.

In addition to Seminary, children, youth, and adults study the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Church History in Sunday School every Sunday. We take turns each year studying one of the standard works so every four years we study the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and Church History. We spend an entire year on each set of scriptures, trying to learn the gospel. Young children in Primary are also taught from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants (part of Church History).

Members are encouraged to study the scriptures in-depth both personally and with their families. I have learned so much about the gospel through my study of the scriptures. I’ve found answers to questions and even learned how to be a better parent.

The Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible. We believe the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ meant to support and better understand the teachings of the Bible. The Book of Mormon does not contradict the teachings of the Bible. It may help clarify some passages of scripture that may be confusing without the additional teachings of the Book of Mormon, but it does not replace the Bible.

The Lord has said, “ . . . In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1). We believe that the Book of Mormon serves as another witness of the words of the Bible and fulfills this scripture.

The Book of Mormon is a record of the people in America and their struggles to live the gospel, the same gospel taught by the Savior. The Book of Mormon does not add to, nor take way from, the gospel of Jesus Christ. It does not teach a different gospel nor does it teach about a different Savior. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and a man will become closer to God by living what is taught within the pages of the Book of Mormon.

I have my own witness that the Book of Mormon is literally from God and I am thankful every single day that I have it in my life to help me become closer to my Heavenly Father and to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

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