Question on Oaks talk?

I remember really liking Elder Oaks’ talk because it helped me confirm that I need to get personal revelation for me and my family. Bishops and other leaders get inspiration and revelation for the church on things (callings, interpretations, organizational and administrative matters) but how I apply those things to me, is up to my revelation and no one can deny me that.

I will have to go back and listen to the talk again, but you raise a good question about what happens when it is in conflict.

His address refers to “leaders’ and “priesthood lines” in general and not just the “prophet.” In short, he is stating that if you have any personal revelation that is not in harmony with the “counsel” or “commandments” of your priesthood line then I am declaring that your personal revelation is from “another source” aka the “devil.”

I took this as a warning that personal revelation should be in harmony with what we are taught, if not, we should question the source.

Take Word of Wisdom…if I receive revelation that smoking cigarettes for me is not a sin and I should be allowed in the temple, the church leadership has a stewardship to interview me and find me worthy to go to the temple. In that stewardship, my revelation is not in harmony, and I should realize it can’t be accepted. I can still believe it if I want, but the church leaders won’t accept it as revelation and will think it came from a wrong source. Maybe I don’t care what they think, but it will still keep me out of the temple.

Now, here is another example. My bishop has taught our ward that Energy Drinks are against the Word of Wisdom. If I feel I receive revelation that it is not…do I just follow the bishop anyway? I would just think it doesn’t really matter, but if my bishop was stepping out of line and keeping me out of the temple for drinking Red Bull, I would not agree with it. I could escalate that to a Stake Leader or higher, but I don’t have to just accept it. I can think for myself, make arguments for myself, and tell the bishop that there is no justification for Red Bull against the Word of Wisdom.

I do not think Elder Oaks is stating strict 100% obedience to priesthood leaders, even to go do some massacre as the extreme example you raised. I think Elder Oaks is assuming the priesthood leadership or commandments are established and our personal revelation should be in harmony with it. If it is not, he doesn’t address what to do, but I would assume it would be personal study and working with leaders to figure it out…if it was an important issue.

The spirit should bring us to unity. I don’t believe all priesthood inspiration is 100% always correct and true because it goes through mortal men who can misread the meaning. But the church would be in chaos if everyone’s personal revelation was allowed and no standard (commandments) or guidance (priesthood leaders) was ever used.

That was reasonable and very good advice Heber. It really helped me. Thank you. Bridget

The other thread has my thoughts. In short, I believe the answer is a resounding, “No!”

I think Elder Oaks talk was quite simple. I liked three quotes from it: 1) “First, in its fulness the personal line does not function independent of the priesthood line. The gift of the Holy Ghost—the means of communication from God to man—is conferred by priesthood authority as authorized by those holding priesthood keys. It does not come merely by desire or belief. And the right to the continuous companionship of this Spirit needs to be affirmed each Sabbath as we worthily partake of the sacrament and renew our baptismal covenants of obedience and service.”

2) “Similarly, we cannot communicate reliably through the direct, personal line if we are disobedient to or out of harmony with the priesthood line. The Lord has declared that “the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness” (D&C 121:36).

I would like to add that someone ought to read President Uctdorf’s talk on pride and the priesthood. For example when Elder McConkie made his statements on Blacks and the Priesthood I believe he was mistaken thinking they would never get the priesthood, it was his opinion based upon pride and arrogance it was not a gospel truth. I think the hardest thing for men in authority in the church is power and trying to rule without arrogance. It is really difficult. I am so grateful I am a peon in the Lord’s kingdom because many suffer from Pride and the Honor of Men (and I know from experience I am easily susceptible to this.

These two cautions quoted here are true. When I am not even close to my 90% of worthiness, I can’t receive revelation for myself, I am left to logic reason and how I feel at the moment. I remember when I went through my divorce and I was blaming others for it, not taking responsibility for myself–I was even upset about what the Prophet was saying about “Finding Joy in the Journey”-because I felt I had failed in my mortal journey. But then I realized I was the one that needed an attitude adjustment and then after reading the talk 4 times and then having to teach it in Priesthood-I finally got the message: to just “seize my day.” Happiness in life and at church was mainly up to me, and that if I wanted to be happy I had to do something about it and not just sulk and point the finger at others. I had to repent and turn around then the Lord directed me to a “soul mate” and so far I am living happily ever after. However, the Revelation wouldn’t come until I changed my self.

I also like this quote:

3) “We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life. If personal religious practice relies too much on the personal line, individualism erases the importance of divine authority. If personal religious practice relies too much on the priesthood line, individual growth suffers. The children of God need both lines to achieve their eternal destiny. The restored gospel teaches both, and the restored Church provides both.”

I like this balance of power approach of revelation, it is really practical and has saved me many times when I have rejected calls to serve because they were out of desperation more than inspiration.

Totally agree with you Roy. Like how you ended.