Lesson Five

I chose choice #1 which is:

• What five principles of revelation does the Hiram Page crisis in section 28 teach members of the church?

• What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?

What five principles of revelation does the Hiram Page crisis in section 28 teach members of the church?

          1. No other person besides Joseph Smith, the prophet, can receive revelation for the chirch and the members of the church.
          2.  Joseph Smith has been given the keys to reveal the mysteries of the church which are sealed.
          3.  No member of the church can receive revelation for those who are a higher authority than him.
          4.  "When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or any extraordinary gift or inspiration, convey something out of harmony with the accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no matter how plausible it may appear."        
          5.  All things should be done by the prayer of faith.

• What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?

         After reading through section 28 in the student manual and the Doctrine and Covenants, I feel that I understand these concepts a lot more.  Personal revelation is a very important thing to understand because it will always be crucial in our lives.  We will always need personal revelation when we are making decisions or trying to learn more.  Anything from prayers to scripture study to the decision of who to marry can use personal revelation, and they should.  There is a line that is drawn when it comes to personal revelation.  Hiram Page crossed that line when he was giving false revelations that he received for the whole church. 
        Personal revelation is just what it says.  It's PERSONAL.  We receive it for ourselves and no one else.  We cannot receive revelation for others unless we are in a higher authority position in the church than they are.  Even then we must be sure that we understand and are giving them true information.  My friends and peers cannot receive revelation for me.  It is up to me to pray and do the things that I should to have Heavenly Father tell me what He needs me to know and do.
        Prophetic revelation is important because the prophet is the mouthpiece for our Heavenly Father.  The prophet's voice is crucial to learning the mysteries of our Father.  We can learn what we need to do to prepare and build a Zion where we stand.  We can never go wrong if we listen to the prophet because he receives that which he teaches straight from the Lord.  He has the authority to do so, and he has the most authority of anyone else.  Authority is so important to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because that is how the whole church is run.
         I believe that prophetic revelation is more important than personal revelation.  The prophet speaks more directly to Heavenly Father than I do.  I believe that I can receive revelation for myself, but I believe the prophet receives more firm revelation.  It's also easy to hear what I want to hear, if I don't set aside my desires.  I can convince myself that I heard something when Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something else.  I also might not receive revelation if I am unworthy.  I might still think that I received it when I didn't.  It's dependent on many factors but when the prophet reveals things we know that it is true and clear with no doubt.  It is important that we are in tune with ourselves but it is also important that we listen to the prophet and do as he says.