In a February 1831 revelation, the Lord provides the following instruction for people who preach His gospel:
Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit;
And ye are to be taught from on high.
Doctrine and Covenants 43:15-16
This echoes Moroni’s description of the Jaredites after arriving in their promised land:
They were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high.
Ether 6:17
In a world filled with diverse and competing voices, what a comfort it is to know that we can receive guidance directly from God! Furthermore, His Spirit can help us discern truth when we hear it.
It’s important to listen and learn from one another, but if we want to avoid being “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), we will keep other people’s opinions in perspective and remain anchored to divine truth.
When Jesus visited the Americas after His death and resurrection, He quoted the following prophecy of Isaiah:
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
3 Nephi 22:13, Isaiah 54:13
It’s easy to understand why our peace would increase as we listen to the most reliable source of information in the universe. We would not only be confident that what we are learning is true, but also that it is important. Surrounded as we are by numerous sources of information, with varying degrees of accuracy, usefulness, and significance, it’s comforting to know that we can receive wisdom directly from God.
“Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:68; compare James 1:5).
Today, I will rely more fully on the knowledge I have received “from on high.” I will welcome counsel from others, but I will remain anchored to the eternal truths confirmed to my mind and heart by the Spirit.
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