In three revelations directed to Oliver Cowdery in April 1829, the Lord provides four descriptions of receiving personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. These simple descriptions can help each of us in our efforts to distinguish between thoughts and feelings which come from God and those which arise from other sources.
I don’t think these four descriptions are collectively exhaustive. There may be many other ways that we receive divine guidance, and we might use other words and metaphors to describe it. I also don’t think they are mutually exclusive. Receiving an answer from God might give us a sense of both enlightenment and peace, for example. But I do believe that these descriptions can serve as a tutorial, helping us understand the types of thought and feeling which come from God.
Here is a list of those descriptions with some parallel passages from the Book of Mormon:
1. Enlightenment
The Lord reminded Oliver, “Thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:15).
Alma taught the Zoramites about faith by comparing the word of God to a seed which they could plant in their hearts. Over time, as they nourished this word, he said, they would observe that it “beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:28). Later, as the seed sprouts, he said, you will know that it is good, because “your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand” (Alma 32:34). (See also Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 6:4.)
So one way to recognize messages from God is that they fill our mind with light and broaden our perspective.
2. Peace
In the same revelation, the Lord reminded Oliver of a specific event in which he had prayed at night and received an answer. “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:23).
Helaman used similar language as he described how the Lord encouraged him and his armies in the face of tremendous peril in war. “The Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls” (Alma 58:11). (See also Psalm 85:8.)
Messages from God dispel fear and build faith. Even when they contain urgent warnings, they build our confidence in following God, and they replace anxiety with peace.
3. Mind and Heart
In another revelation, the Lord explained to Oliver that communication through the Holy Ghost is neither purely intellectual nor purely emotional. “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart,” He said, “by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3).
When King Benjamin gathered his people at the end of his life, he wanted them to be prepared for a spiritual experience. Here is how he encouraged them to prepare: “Open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view” (Mosiah 2:9). Benjamin recognized that spiritual knowledge includes both intellectual understanding and emotional purification. He wanted His people to receive both.
Conversely, throughout the Book of Mormon, people who are resistant to spiritual impressions are described as “hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds” (3 Nephi 2:1; see also 1 Nephi 7:8, 1 Nephi 14:7, 1 Nephi 17:30, Jarom 1:3, Alma 13:4, Alma 48:3, 3 Nephi 7:16, Ether 4:15, Ether 15:19). They are neither emotionally nor mentally prepared to receive knowledge from God.
Heavenly communication is holistic. It influences our thoughts and our feelings.
4. Burning Bosom, Stupor of Thought
A fourth description describes what happens in our hearts and minds as we receive revelation:
You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong;
Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9
The Nephites and Lamanites who gathered at the temple in Bountiful after the death of Jesus Christ heard a voice from heaven. They didn’t understand the voice, but they knew it was important, because it “did cause their hearts to burn” (3 Nephi 11:3; see also Luke 24:32).
Sometimes, spiritual communication comes in the form of a confirmation (or lack thereof) that something we have heard, said, or done is good and true. We may not feel this sensation specifically in our chest, but most of us can relate to a feeling that something is right or wrong.
The Spirit of God accompanies positive choices with positive feelings. It discourages wrongful choices by withholding that confirming witness.
Conclusion
From these four passages, we learn to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. The Holy Ghost enlightens us, gives us peace, influences our thoughts and feelings, and confirms when we are on the right track.
Today, I will strive to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life. I will pay attention to thoughts and feelings which match the descriptions given to Oliver Cowdery and act upon them when they come from God.