The Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation

In our dispensation the Lord gave us this commandment and warning: “Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:25).  The spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation are companion virtues in the scriptures, and we are invited both to seek them in our own life and to properly recognize them in the Lord’s anointed.  They are so vital that Joseph Smith taught that we are “sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood” (Doctrine and Covenants 131:5).  In the Title Page of the Book of Mormon the prophet Moroni stated that the book was “written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation.”  Both the spirit of prophecy—a spiritual understanding of those things to come—and the spirit of revelation—the ability to receive knowledge from heaven—are vital for our spiritual progression and ability to stay faithful in the gospel path. 

                The Book of Mormon in particular pairs the spirit of prophecy and revelation together and highlights their necessity in the work of the Lord.  Mormon wrote of the importance for the Nephites to select leaders who had these spiritual virtues: “It was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy” (3 Nephi 3:19).  They were also linked to the missionary labors of many in the Book of Mormon; for example, Alma “confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy” (Alma 4:20).  Alma confirmed to Amulek that he worked according to these spiritual gifts, “And behold, I have been called to preach the word of God among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy” (Alma 8:24).  Towards the end of his life he was again described as having “preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation” (Alma 43:2).  The Lamanites were “brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them” (Alma 23:6).  It was revelation and prophecy that helped to bring them to the knowledge of the truth.  Jacob wrote how both revelations and prophecy were important to his people’s knowledge of the Savior: “And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come” (Jacob 1:6).  The Nephites later were described in these terms:  “Having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation” (Alma 9:21).  At another time of wickedness they were rebuked because of their “making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation… they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation” (Helaman 4:12, 23).  Believing in and having the spirit of prophecy and revelation was key to their spiritual well-being and their testimony of the Savior. 

                So how do we develop the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation in our own lives?  The sons of Mosiah gave us some insight into this, for Mormon described them this way: “But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation” (Alma 17:3).  Jacob also wrote a key for his people: “Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy” (Jacob 4:6).  Clearly it takes serious seeking with prayer, fasting, and searching the words of the prophets to develop these spiritual gifts.  If we take the Book of Mormon for our guide, then we should indeed seek after these gifts, to understand both the will of heaven for us through revelation and those things to come through the spirit of prophecy.