Light and truth

Revelation

Jesus Christ once asked his Apostles who they believed him to be. The people at the time held many different views on who Jesus Christ was, and Christ asked his Disciples to see if they understood his divine commission. To his question "But whom say ye that I am" Peter replied with conviction "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God". Christ then taught Peter that it was not "Flesh and blood" that had revealed it to him, but "his Father, who is in heaven". 

Christ taught that revelation is the foundational principle on which our knowledge of God is built. Religion must be experienced. 

No amount of mere study, pouring over documents, or looking trough a microscope will teach you that God is our eternal father. It is impossible for us to have a sure knowledge of God, his commandments, his Church and his prophets without revelation. It was rightly said by Joseph Smith that revelation is necessary for our salvation. No man can be saved in ignorance. 

There are several forms by which we receive revelation, and none of them are exclusive. God is no respecter of persons. If ANY man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. He gives this knowledge freely and willingly to those that are sincere. Joseph Smith was a boy, only fourteen years old, when he had a vision in which he saw God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ.

We should not be like Laman and Lemuel, when they were asked by there brother if they had sought confirming revelation on their father's teachings. They answered him "We have not, for the lord makes no such thing known unto us." This is the way we impede revelation. It is by imagining excuses as to why we can't learn the truth for ourselves.

"If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall recieve, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."  1 Nephi 15:11