Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
How do you know when a prophet has been 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and their words can be considered scripture (see section 67:3-4)? We can tell when this happens when we too are `moved upon by the Holy Ghost.' We will also look at the process the Lord established to have the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants published.
Elder John A. Widtsoe: “Seldom are divine revelations dictated to man. . . Instead, ideas are impressed upon the mind of the recipient, who then delivers the ideas in his own language.” (“The Articles of Faith: X. – Eternal Increase,” Improvement Era 40 (October 1937): 600-601.)
Joseph Smith: “William E. McLellin, as the wisest man, in his own estimation, having more learning than sense, endeavored to write a commandment like unto one of the least of the Lord’s, but failed; it was an awful responsibility to write in the name of the Lord.
“The Elders and all present that witnessed this vain attempt of a man to imitate the language of Jesus Christ, renewed their faith in the fullness of the Gospel, and in the truth of the commandments and revelations which the Lord had given to the Church through my instrumentality; and the Elders signified a willingness to bear testimony of their truth to all the world” (History of the Church, 1:226).
President Harold B. Lee: “Now, you Latter day Saints, I think you have never attended a conference where in these three days you have heard more inspired declarations on most every subject and problem about which you have been worrying. If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of this conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned. And also all others who are not of us, but who believe what has been said has been “the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, and the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.” ("Closing Remarks," October Conference, 1973.)
President Clark, J. Reuben, Jr.: ". . . how shall we know when the things they have spoken were said as they were `moved upon by the Holy Ghost?' "I have given some thought to this question, and the answer thereto, so far as I can determine, is: We can tell when the speakers are `moved upon by the Holy Ghost' only when we, ourselves, are `moved upon by the Holy Ghost.' "In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to determine when they so speak.”(Address to Seminary and Institute Faculty, 7 July 1954, p. 4.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "It has no reference whatever to bishops of wards. Further, such a one must be designated by the First Presidency of the Church and receive his anointing and ordination under their hands. The revelation comes from the Presidency, not from the patriarch, to establish a claim to the right to preside in this office. In the absence of knowledge concerning such a descendant, any high priest, chosen by the Presidency, may hold the office of Presiding Bishop and serve with counselors." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:92 93.)\
President Russell M. Nelson: “Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” (April 2018, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives“)
Elder Tad R. Callister: "Recording spiritual promptings results in at least the following blessings:
Elder Richard G. Scott: “When I am faced with a very difficult matter, … I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures.”
“In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. … After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
“… I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, ... Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. … I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.
“What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng)"
President Spencer W. Kimball: "What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?
"Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.
"Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.
"Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events.
"Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity." (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Feb 2003, 32).
Joseph Smith: “Oh Lord God deliver us in thy due time from the little narrow prison [of] . . . a crooked broken scattered and imperfect language.” (Joseph Smith to W. W. Phelps, November 27, 1832)
“brs. William [Phelps], Oliver [Cowdery] & John [Whitmer] [were] appointed to review the Book of Commandments & select for printing such as shall be deemed by them proper, as dictated by the spirit & make all necessary verbal corrections.” (“Far West Record,” 16, April 30, 1832)
“. . . be careful not to alter the sense of any of them.” (Joseph Smith to W.W. Phelps, 31 July 1832)
Regarding similar changes in the Book of Mormon, President Boyd K. Packer remarked years ago, “Of course there have been changes and corrections. Anyone who has done even limited research knows that. When properly reviewed, such corrections become a testimony for, not against, the truth of the books.” (“We Believe All That God Has Revealed,” Ensign, May 1974, 94).
Robert D. Hales: “In June of 1965, a group of brethren in the Physical Facilities Department of the Church was doing some work outside the Hotel Utah apartment of President David O. McKay. As President McKay stopped to explain to them the importance of the work in which they were engaged, he paused and told them the following:
“Let me assure you, Brethren, that some day you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior, Himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which He will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities.
“First, He will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?
“Second, He will want an accountability report about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship but will request information about your relationship to each and every child.
Third, He will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the pre-existence.
“Fourth, He will want a summary of your activity in your Church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in his eyes the home teacher and a mission president are probably equals, but He will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellowmen in your Church assignments.”
“Fifth, He will have no interest in how you earned your living, but if you were honest in all your dealings.
“Sixth, He will ask for an accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country and the world." (Understandings of the Heart, ROBERT D. HALES, Brigham Young University on 15 March 1988.)
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder John A. Widtsoe: “Seldom are divine revelations dictated to man. . . Instead, ideas are impressed upon the mind of the recipient, who then delivers the ideas in his own language.” (“The Articles of Faith: X. – Eternal Increase,” Improvement Era 40 (October 1937): 600-601.)
Joseph Smith: “William E. McLellin, as the wisest man, in his own estimation, having more learning than sense, endeavored to write a commandment like unto one of the least of the Lord’s, but failed; it was an awful responsibility to write in the name of the Lord.
“The Elders and all present that witnessed this vain attempt of a man to imitate the language of Jesus Christ, renewed their faith in the fullness of the Gospel, and in the truth of the commandments and revelations which the Lord had given to the Church through my instrumentality; and the Elders signified a willingness to bear testimony of their truth to all the world” (History of the Church, 1:226).
President Harold B. Lee: “Now, you Latter day Saints, I think you have never attended a conference where in these three days you have heard more inspired declarations on most every subject and problem about which you have been worrying. If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of this conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned. And also all others who are not of us, but who believe what has been said has been “the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, and the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.” ("Closing Remarks," October Conference, 1973.)
President Clark, J. Reuben, Jr.: ". . . how shall we know when the things they have spoken were said as they were `moved upon by the Holy Ghost?' "I have given some thought to this question, and the answer thereto, so far as I can determine, is: We can tell when the speakers are `moved upon by the Holy Ghost' only when we, ourselves, are `moved upon by the Holy Ghost.' "In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to determine when they so speak.”(Address to Seminary and Institute Faculty, 7 July 1954, p. 4.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "It has no reference whatever to bishops of wards. Further, such a one must be designated by the First Presidency of the Church and receive his anointing and ordination under their hands. The revelation comes from the Presidency, not from the patriarch, to establish a claim to the right to preside in this office. In the absence of knowledge concerning such a descendant, any high priest, chosen by the Presidency, may hold the office of Presiding Bishop and serve with counselors." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:92 93.)\
President Russell M. Nelson: “Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” (April 2018, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives“)
Elder Tad R. Callister: "Recording spiritual promptings results in at least the following blessings:
- it preserves the integrity of the message.
- it preserves the feelings of the moment.
- it plants spiritual seeds.
- it facilitates future sharing.
- it enhances future revelation.” (Oct. 2017, "Record Spiritual Insights to Receive More Revelation in Your Life“)
Elder Richard G. Scott: “When I am faced with a very difficult matter, … I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures.”
“In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. … After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
“… I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, ... Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. … I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.
“What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng)"
President Spencer W. Kimball: "What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?
"Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.
"Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.
"Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events.
"Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity." (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Feb 2003, 32).
Joseph Smith: “Oh Lord God deliver us in thy due time from the little narrow prison [of] . . . a crooked broken scattered and imperfect language.” (Joseph Smith to W. W. Phelps, November 27, 1832)
“brs. William [Phelps], Oliver [Cowdery] & John [Whitmer] [were] appointed to review the Book of Commandments & select for printing such as shall be deemed by them proper, as dictated by the spirit & make all necessary verbal corrections.” (“Far West Record,” 16, April 30, 1832)
“. . . be careful not to alter the sense of any of them.” (Joseph Smith to W.W. Phelps, 31 July 1832)
Regarding similar changes in the Book of Mormon, President Boyd K. Packer remarked years ago, “Of course there have been changes and corrections. Anyone who has done even limited research knows that. When properly reviewed, such corrections become a testimony for, not against, the truth of the books.” (“We Believe All That God Has Revealed,” Ensign, May 1974, 94).
Robert D. Hales: “In June of 1965, a group of brethren in the Physical Facilities Department of the Church was doing some work outside the Hotel Utah apartment of President David O. McKay. As President McKay stopped to explain to them the importance of the work in which they were engaged, he paused and told them the following:
“Let me assure you, Brethren, that some day you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior, Himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which He will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities.
“First, He will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?
“Second, He will want an accountability report about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship but will request information about your relationship to each and every child.
Third, He will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the pre-existence.
“Fourth, He will want a summary of your activity in your Church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in his eyes the home teacher and a mission president are probably equals, but He will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellowmen in your Church assignments.”
“Fifth, He will have no interest in how you earned your living, but if you were honest in all your dealings.
“Sixth, He will ask for an accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country and the world." (Understandings of the Heart, ROBERT D. HALES, Brigham Young University on 15 March 1988.)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Share with someone this week when the last time you knew President Nelson was “moved upon by the Holy Ghost?”
- Parents – what will you teach your children to understand today? This week? This month?
- Act on President Nelson’s invitation for us to pray, listen, write our thoughts, record our feelings, and follow through with actions that we are prompted to take.