Who can receive revelations/prophecy?

Of course, we cannot individually receive revelations for the whole church, but I think this doctrine plays against some ‘cultural’ ideas that leaders’ revelations for their stewardship may override our personal revelations for ourselves.

Yup.

When do we “cross the line” while sharing revelation?

Let’s say that I meet with a group of people where we discuss spiritual matters, and I share some of my revelations.

When does sharing those revelations become a threat, or when should they become a threat?

Here is where I see the line in the sand:

Leaders receive revelation for the group they are responsible to lead. BUT a group is not a person. It is a collection of people. As soon as something crosses the line where the direction requires actions or decisions by a person, the individual has total autonomy to decide if they will support the leader and that direction or not — i.e. receive their own personal “revelation.”

It pretty much boils down to classic leadership issues — leaders have to gain “buy in” from the group individuals. A leader can receive revelation for the direction of the group, but individual people receive revelation about whether they individually should follow those ideas.

Examples:

Leaders in the Church implicitly or explicitly declare that members should support Prop 8 in California.

Individual members must decide if that is appropriate for them or not (yes, I know this view may not be common)

My Primary President gives me direction as the 11yr old scout leader. I can support that direction. I can try to push her to receive additional “revelation” if I see things differently for my scouts, or I can resign. But all of those are my own decision.

That’s how I see it.

Ray’s comment reminded me to add to mine: I still believe in being supportive of leaders, even if I have strong opinions about the sovereignty of the individual. Great leaders are *made* IMO by great followers. Unless I feel strongly about an individual direction for myself, I think it is best to support leaders and follow their vision. I think that makes for the most effective group results.

The word revelation to me these days is very similar to intuition (the way I think about it). I am comfortable using them interchangeably in that sense. So a leader who spends great amounts of time thinking and praying about their stewardship, putting real intent into it, they have potential to output intuitive “revelation.” That doesn’t exclude the notion of God from the process in my way of thinking, but like I think Cadence seems to be saying, it isn’t so 1:1 like a direct connection. That’s my current view.

…are just trying to do their best to fulfill their responsibility. But are they receiving revelation? I highly doubt it. We throw revelation around in the church like everyone has a direct line to heaven. If that were the case everyone would not be getting so many different answers.

Over the past couple of years I have become more aware of assumptions and expectations. I think everything needs to be considered with assumptions and expectations in mind. For example:

The statement “If everyone had a direct line to heaven – then they would all receive the same answers.

This statement operates on a basic assumption that “heaven” (can, at least) operate something like a database; with absolute, universal answers. That assumption produces the expectation that if we had a “direct line” to tap into it, we could obtain the 100% reliable, universal answers. That’s fine – that’s one way to look at it.

Another way to approach the topic is with the question “what is the nature of heaven?” or “what is divine communication?” If we leave the topic open for further exploration, maybe we can find some additional meaningful insights.

In my view spiritual revelation is always personal. Even if it applies to a “stewardship” when received by a leader. In our human condition we can’t help but taint everything we receive with our mortal experience/understanding. We are a filter – a human medium. Whenever anything comes through any one of us, it becomes in a sense human. This is why “flesh and blood” cannot reveal anything wholly spiritual, but only the “Father.”

To me, this is why everyone will always receive “different” answers. They are all personal answers, and everyone is different. Now as a whole, when we start putting together common threads – that is where things start to get interesting! Obviously, another topic from here would be the dangers of cutting off some threads prematurely to promote the growth of others.