God taught Oliver Cowdery four principles about personal revelation which can help us recognize messages from God: 1. Messages from God enlighten us. 2. Messages from God dispel fear and build faith. 3. God speaks to both our mind and our heart. 4. The Spirit of God confirms positive choices with positive feelings.
Called, Chosen, and Faithful
Those who are with the Savior at His Second Coming will be "called, chosen, and faithful." We have all been called. By humbling ourselves and exercising faith, we can be chosen. When we act consistently with the call over time, we demonstrate faithfulness
Hearken and Search
To hearken is to listen attentively, intending to act on what you hear. To search is to proactively seek understanding. In the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord invites us to do both. Good disciples are good listeners and good seekers.
Samuel the Lamanite on the Burden of Freedom
Samuel the Lamanite concisely synthesized the teachings of prior Book of Mormon prophets into a sobering statement about agency: You own your choices and their consequences, including the choice to repent.
Equal Rights, Shared Responsibilities
Mosiah wanted his people to have equal rights and privileges. They understood that rights and responsibilities are interconnected, and they accepted not only new freedoms but also increased accountability for their actions.
Blessed in All Things
King Benjamin taught that those who keep God's commandments are "blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual." President Nelson has explained that understanding and obeying divine laws produces positive outcomes, both in this life and in eternity.
Service, Joy, and the Love of God
King Benjamin taught that when we are serving others, we are serving God. Elder Dieter F. Uchtorf added that serving others brings joy, and Elder Alexander Dushku added that we can feel the love God has for others as we serve them.
Unprofitable
We can never pay God back for what He has done for us and is doing for us. This may seem discouraging, but it is actually liberating and ennobling. If we let go of the illusion of control, we can grow and progress in an environment of His sustaining grace
Burdens
Isaiah called some of his prophecies "burdens." They described difficult times ahead. The scriptures teach us how to manage our burdens: 1. Share them with each other. 2. Don't add to others' burdens. 3. Accept the burdens Jesus offers us.
Sense and Insensibility
Lehi identifies "sense" and "insensibility" as opposite outcomes made possible by opposition. Sense means intentional awareness, so insensibility must mean intentional unawareness. We can choose to perceive and discern the good and the evil around us.