Today's RS lesson was taught by Sondra Soderborg based on the Joseph Smith manual chapter 16, "Revelation and the Living Prophet."
In 1831 the prophet Joseph Smith was living in Kirtland, Ohio. It was a time of great revelation. Others were often present when the Lord answered the prophet's prayers through revelation. Parley P. Pratt recorded this:
“After we had joined in prayer in his translating room, he dictated in our presence the following revelation. Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary writer, in long hand. … There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject.”
The general membership of the church did not have access to these revelations. The leaders of the church met together and decided to publish some of them. Doctrine and Covenants section 1 was given by the Lord as a preface to this collection of revelations.
Revelation is necessary and will be provided in God's true church. Through revelation, Joseph Smith was given to understand that the rock referred to in Matthew 16:18 is revelation.
Joseph had to help the early saints understand that only the prophet receives revelation for the whole church.
Discussion Question #1: Please share a time in your life when you can see that by following the prophet your life was blessed.
Discussion Question #2: Please share a personal revelation that has been important in your life.
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