Joseph Smith saw a pillar of light. Most of the time, we receive revelation in less spectacular ways. Elder Alexander Dushku called these "rays." Many small experiences of receiving personal revelation can combine into a powerful testimony of the gospel.
All Flesh
Nephi, Jeremiah, and Joel all testified that everyone can receive revelation from God. The first section of the Doctrine and Covenants also affirms this principle. President Russell M. Nelson encouraged us to increase our capacity to receive revelation.
My Ongoing Restoration
This week's Come Follow Me lesson invites us to consider how the gospel is being restored in our personal lives. God is restoring His gospel to each of us, and that process requires that we continue to seek and receive personal revelation.
Look and Listen
The people in Bountiful only understood the voice of God when they opened their ears and looked toward the sound. His message to them was to "behold" and "hear" His Son. It takes effort to understand messages from God. We need to look and listen.
Walking in the Light
Isaiah urged us to "walk in the light of the Lord." Elder David A. Bednar explained that revelation often comes gradually, and that we may need to move forward according to our current understanding before we receive additional understanding.
“Being Thus Overcome”—Lehi’s Multipart Vision
Lehi saw a vision in two stages: one as he prayed outdoors beside a rock, and one as he lay in bed afterward in his home. Richard G. Scott and Neill F. Marriott both taught that we can invite revelation with the simple question, "Is there more?"
Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy
An angel told John that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The only way we can be sure that Jesus is our Savior is by direct, personal revelation from God. Therefore, the people who have that testimony are the people who receive revelation.
Gathering All Things in One
Paul said that God would not only reveal truths to us but that He would ultimately "gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10). Recognizing connections between gospel truths gives us perspective and helps us simplify our discipleship.
Unspeakable
Some things we learn from God are unspeakable because we are not permitted to share them. Others are unspeakable because we are unable to share them. Through the "unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost," we can each learn directly from God.
Family Revelation
Raising children is too hard to do alone and requires more knowledge than any parents have. Like Joseph and Mary or Lehi and Sariah, we can receive revelation from God about how to lead our families "in love and righteousness."