I was so thankful for President Nelson’s talk on Revelation for our lives. One of the most important things we can do for our children is to teach them how to receive truth and personal revelation. It’s wonderful for children to trust us as their parents, but even better is when our children can seek out their own witness to truth. This blessing of being able to receiving revelation will bless them throughout their life. President Nelson shared:
“The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the of the greatest gifts of God to his children.”
That is why I wanted to share this family night lesson from #LDSConf.
Opening Prayer: by invitiation
Opening Song: Follow the Prophet
“If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand his promptings we will be guided in matter large and small.”
- What do you think this statement means?
- What are some large matters?
- What are smaller matters?
“Good inspiration is based on good information.”
Teach that The Lord gave each of us a brain for solving problems and finding solutions.
- How can we seek out good information?
Give an example of a problem your family may face. If you need a suggestion perhaps your family is trying to decided what would be the best service project idea. Have your family members talk about how to receive information for this problem.
President Nelson shared his problem of picking members for his presidency. After seeking out good information he turned to The Lord in prayer. Teach your family that after we have collected information we can make a decision and then turn to The Lord in prayer to receive inspiration. The Lord can let us know if you agrees with our solution.
- What other examples in the scriptures can we find where men or women have worked out their problems and sought the Lord’s guidance.
- How can we find answers that perplex us?
“The heavens are open. God speaks to his children.”
“What will your seeking open for you?… “ President Nelson teaches us how we can receive answers to prayers, as we follow the pattern set my 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.
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 principal of revelation.
Does God really want to speak to you? YES!”
Review this process with your family. You may want to list the steps on how we can learn to recognize the voice of the Lord. Remind them that it takes practice learning to listen and then to act. As we do these things we will become more in tune to listen to the Holy Ghost. After reviewing the steps quiz your family on what to do.
- Why has the prophet asked us to record our promptings?
- Why is it important to act on what we are prompted to do?
We live in a time where there is so much information available. A time where opinions and ideas are freely shared. Relentless messages are being shared and the world is attacking truth. How can we sift through voices? “We must learn to receive revelation” It can be confusing sometimes. The best way to know if something is true or best is to seek guidance from our Creator.
“..No one can ever take a witness born to your heart and mind about what is true.”
Once we have received a witness it will be easier to hold to that truth even when other voices are contradicting each other. Heavenly Father wants to share his wisdom, counsel, and love with us. Neal A. Maxwell shared:
“To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear it is clear that Father and Son are giving away the secrets of the universe.
“Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work. “
Share a time when you received revelation from the Holy Ghost. Invite other family members to share any possible experiences they have encountered.
Share this warning our prophet has given us.
“But in coming days it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
“I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation… Choose to do the spiritual work required to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Encourage your family to make an effort to practice receiving revelation on the small and big matters. Bear testimony of the words spoken by the prophet. Share your testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Closing Prayer: By invitation
Treat Idea: Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies.
