Responding to Revelation: Reluctant, Relieved, or Resolute
Responding faithfully to revelation and changes allows us to come closer to Christ.
The author lives in Utah, USA.
As the Saturday morning session of the October 2018 general conference began, I sat with my eyes glued to my TV screen. I, like many others, was anxious to hear where the next “rush of revelation”1 was going to take us. And then it came: Elder Quentin L. Cook announced the new balance between home and church, including a two-hour meeting block starting in 2019. As a young adult, it’s been exciting for me to see the changes in the Church during my lifetime, but this one is by far the most surprising!
After getting over the shock, I thought back to the Savior’s day when the people heard an even more shocking announcement: that the law of Moses was being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In both cases, whether 2000 years ago or just last general conference, I think how we respond to revelation is incredibly important. Many people, both then and now, fall into three categories.
Reluctant
The New Testament is full of examples of those who were hesitant to discontinue the law of Moses and fully follow Jesus Christ. Why? Well, in a lot of ways, the law of Moses was actually easier. You knew exactly what to do, how to do it, and when. You know, kind of like visiting assigned Church members once a month, sharing a predetermined message, and reporting it to your leaders. (Check!) Or going to sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and elders quorum or Relief Society meetings and calling it a day. (Check!)
Of course, another reason for reluctance may be uncertainty. Many people questioned the authority of Jesus Christ, just like some people today aren’t certain of the authority of His prophet.
Relieved
I’m sure there were people in Christ’s time who heaved a sigh of relief when they realized they no longer needed to keep track of sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. They probably didn’t realize that the new offering the Lord required was actually themselves: all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (see Luke 10:27). Likewise, I’m sure many were relieved to see the end of home and visiting teaching, thinking, “Yes! No more last-day-of-the-month visits and constantly reporting statistics!” And surely many rejoiced in the reduction of the Sunday block, thinking, “Yes! Another hour added to my Sunday afternoon nap!” They probably didn’t consider two important questions: “Why were these revelations given?” and “What does the Lord now expect from us?”
Resolute
The definition of resolute is “purposeful and determined … characterized by firmness and determination.”2 Unlike the reluctant, these Saints act quickly, moving with determination in whatever direction the Lord reveals. It may be uncomfortable, but they have faith in God and His prophets and an unwavering desire to do His will. The resolute also differ from the relieved because they understand that what seems like decreased requirements is actually increased trust from the Lord, and they are determined to live true to that trust. Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, said about ministering, “The program’s added flexibility isn’t meant to encourage relaxing our efforts; it’s meant to provide greater opportunity for the Spirit to guide our efforts.”3 Just as the Holy Ghost should guide our ministering efforts, we should seek and follow personal revelation to know how to spend that extra Sunday hour to truly hallow the Sabbath.
Perhaps all of us are a little guilty of being reluctant or relieved. But I hope that we’ll all strive to be more resolute in responding to revelation, both now and in the future. We as young adults can set an example for the generations both before and after us in the way we respond to these prophetic developments. If we do so, surely we will see the fulfillment of Elder Cook’s promise that these changes “will result in profound blessings for those who enthusiastically embrace the adjustments and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost.”4