CONTINUING REVELATION- CAN I SPEAK WITH GOD?                                                         Sunday, 12/14/2025

My dear brothers and sisters, good morning. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to speak today about a doctrine at the very foundation of our restored gospel of Jesus Christ—Continuing Revelation.

Everything we cherish in the Restoration—scriptures, priesthood authority, temples, covenants, spiritual gifts, and the very organization of the Church—exists because God does live and still speaks.  We are not a people who believe that heaven is silent. We are a people who believe, as the Articles of Faith teach, that revelation is ongoing and essential.

The Ninth Article of Faith states:
“We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

This one sentence captures our doctrine perfectly: God has revealed, God does now reveal, and God will yet reveal. Hallelujah! Praise be to Him forever and ever!

God Has Always Revealed His Will to His Children

Revelation is not something new. This pattern of heaven has always been the same. Whenever the Lord has a covenant people on the earth, He communicates with them through prophets.

In Amos 3:7 we read:
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants, the prophets.”

Brethren, this verse clearly states that revelation is inseparable from God’s work among His children.

The Fifth Article of Faith reinforces this pattern in modern times:
“We believe that a man must be called of God… by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority.”

Prophecy is the mechanism through which God calls and directs His servants.
Authority comes through priesthood. Revelation is what guides that authority.

President Russell M. Nelson has taught:
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

The Restoration Happened Because of Continuing Revelation

One of the most important truths restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith is that God still speaks—just as He always has. It just took some of us much longer to figure that out.

The First Vision is a moment of pure revelation. Joseph Smith, a young boy with a searching sole and mind, asked a question, and the Father and the Son answered. This single event opened the last dispensation, “the dispensation of the fulness of times.”

Our Restoration is a testimony that revelation did not end with the Bible. God continues to guide His Church and reveal His will. God continues to guide His Church and reveal His will. We are not alone on this journey!

The Lord declared in D&C 1:38:
“Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”

That is continuing revelation. We must be mindful, obedient and repented to receive it! We all know it, but that and a quarter may get you a cup of coffee at the corner, but it won’t get you revelation if you aren’t trying to live righteously (I did not say perfectly), if you aren’t trying to keep your covenants and grow your relationship with God. For the day will come for us all, and we don’t want God to say, “I knew ye not!” and for any of us not to be worthy of His Celestial Kingdom.     

Revelation Through Living Prophets and Apostles

Heavenly Father guides His Church today just as He guided ancient Israel and the early Saints. Revelation continues “line upon line, precept upon precept.”

President Nelson’s ministry has been filled with revelation:

• Adjustments to ministering
• Changes in priesthood quorums
• Home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning
• New temple construction at an unprecedented pace
• Missionary and youth program enhancements
• Sacred temple instruction adjustments

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said:
“This Church is founded on the principle of continuous revelation. Absolutely nothing is more important to us than continuing revelation.”

The Seventh Article of Faith also confirms that spiritual manifestations—including revelation—are alive today:
“We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”

Brothers and Sisters, these are not relics of the ancient Church. They are gifts of the Spirit given to guide, strengthen, and bless us today.

Spiritual Gifts as Evidence of Ongoing Revelation

Moroni teaches us that spiritual gifts are a sign that the heavens are open. In Moroni 10:8–18, Moroni lists these gifts:

• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Faith
• Healing
• Working of miracles
• Prophecy
• Discerning of spirits
• Speaking and interpreting tongues

And then he adds a critical warning:
“All these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ… and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.”
(Moroni 10:17)

Moroni then declares that if these gifts ever cease, it is because people “dwindle in unbelief” (v. 19).

In other words, may it be clearly understood, the Holy Ghost, His spiritual gifts, and continuing revelation are provided only to His faithful, covenant-keeping, repented believers. To that I say, Amen!

Personal Revelation Is a Promise to Every Member

While prophets receive revelation for the entire Church, each of us may receive personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith taught that ‘it is the privilege of the children of God to come to God and get revelation.’

President Nelson has pleaded with us to learn how to receive revelation. He said,
“The greatest skill you will need in the coming days is the ability to receive revelation.”

Revelation can come as:

• Peace
• Warning
• Promptings
• Quiet impressions
• Sudden understanding
• Confirmation of truth

In D&C 8:2 Joseph Smith revealed that the Lord said,
“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart.”
Joseph Smith is telling us that Revelation should engage both our thoughts and feelings.

How Do We Invite Revelation

• To receive revelation, we must prepare ourselves spiritually:

We must Ask.

• Confirmation of truth Revelation begins with a sincere question.

The answer to which we must Obey.

• The Spirit dwells in clean and willing hearts.

Clearly, we must Study the scriptures.

• Revelation also provides answers to questions we haven’t yet asked.

This may occur when we Pray with real intent and in God’s omniscient time.

If these truths are not exciting enough, we receive more revelation when we commit to act on what we receive.

• Record your impressions

God often gives more to those who treasure what He has already given.

• Be patient

Revelation is often “line upon line” and provided in God’s omniscient time.

Isn’t this exciting?!?! Well, I am not done. Revelation Will Prepare the World for the Second Coming!

President Nelson told us, “We are living in a remarkable time. The pace of revelation is accelerating. God is preparing His Church and His covenant people for the return of His Son! Temples are being announced in record numbers. Nations are opening to the gospel. Missionary work is expanding. Family history tools are advancing. The Restoration is ongoing.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf notes:
“Revelation is the engine that powers His Church.”

And that engine is running at full speed!

Brothers and Sisters let me bring it home for you!  

Revelation Is an Expression of God's Love for His obedient, covenant keeping, repentant children!!!

If we can wrap our minds and hearts around the truths I have discussed this morning, then we also know the following truths to be reality:

• God does not leave us alone.
• He does not leave His prophets without direction.
• He does not leave families without guidance.
• He does not leave individuals without answers.
• Revelation is proof that God knows us and loves us.

President Nelson also said:
“Our Heavenly Father wants to speak to each of us… and the heavens are open.”

Brothers and sisters, I testify that we live in His true Church guided by His Continuing Revelation. The Articles of Faith, the teachings of Moroni, and the words of ancient and modern prophets all witness that God lives and continues to speak.

I testify that:

• President Russell M. Nelson was God’s living prophet.
• The Holy Ghost continues to reveal truth to those who seek it.
• Spiritual gifts are real and active today.
• The heavens are open and God desires to rain His blessings upon us and our families.
• And the Savior Jesus Christ continues to lead His Church.

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer, Amen.