Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, to learn to live the gospel and endure to the end in righteousness. That qualifies us to return back into their presence--for eternal life. You may ask, "How do we seek personal revelation?" Paul counseled the Saints to rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom of the world. To obtain that Spirit, we begin with prayer. President Lorenzo Snow had studied the gospel for several years before joining the Church. But he did not receive a witness until three weeks after his baptism when he retired in secret prayer. He tells us, "The Spirit of God descended upon me," he said. "O, the joy and happiness I felt, [for] I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus ... is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel" (end of quote). I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing the priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation--the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: "Behold, ... you must study it out in your mind." We pondered our assignment, counseled together. I listened to an Apostle, and the voice of the Spirit came. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.