#5 "This is the Spirit of Revelation"

D&C 6, 8, 9
* Ask someone (preferably a construction worker) if they have enough confidence and “faith” that they could build something with some children’s blocks, and can take some teasing. (I have k’nex pieces) (I have a small ziplock bag ½ full) Set them on a chair up front and tell them they have 3 minutes to make something with the blocks.

When he’s done, it’ll be wrong, no matter what he builds (because you as the teacher have the plan of what you want him to make; a tree) (he doesn’t know that though) So you’ll wreck his masterpiece and tell him it’s wrong and to try again. He may continue and build something different which will be wrong or he may be smart and as for more details such as do I have to use all the pieces. If he asks, answer by pointing out the exact pieces you want him to use. The point of the object lesson is 1st for him to want or receive direction or revelation and for him to receive it piece by piece; just like we receive the Lord’s will in our lives.
Somewhere in here I might have Keith testify to him that he indeed made something out of the 12 pieces.

Eventually I get to the point that he has 12 pieces with which he needs to build a tree. Even more detail would be, to point out leaves, trunk, stand etc, so he can build it exactly.
If even more detail is required draw the picture on the chalkboard.

That is how our lives are, everyday, if we seek personal revelation we will be closer to becoming exactly what the Lord has in mind for us to become! The only way to become exactly as he wants us to be is to seek and understand His will for us daily!!!

What did we learn about revelation from our object lesson-open to the class for discussion-possible answers are as follows:
If we don’t ask, we don’t receive or know the will of the Lord
If we don’t ask specific questions we don’t find out what exactly we need to do.
We can do things our own way, but the end result might not be the same as what the Lord would do.
If we don’t have a basic knowledge of the subject matter, how can we make the best choices?
When we narrow down our options, the end result becomes more clear.
When someone else testifies to us of how they got to their end result it is easier for us to see how it may work for us.
When we have someone who has been there, done that, show us exactly what works and what doesn’t-we know better ourselves.
If we want to save ourselves time and unnecessary pain, we need to have specific help from someone who knows.
How many times will we fail, or struggle before we humble ourselves to ask the Lord for help.

Oliver has come to Joseph to be his scribe. They start the work; remember Joseph has learned the lesson about relying on the Lord, so the question I believe Joseph asked before he received section 6 is, “What instructions does Oliver have in doing the work thou gavest him?”

Section 6: The whole revelation gives Oliver several different assignments he will do through his work, but I want to focus our lesson today on one in particular. It is found in verse 10.
D&C 6:10 Thou hast a gift; you are blessed because of it. The gift He is talking about is mentioned in detail in D&C 8: 1-4, let’s take it verse by verse.
V1You will receive knowledge (in the footnote it takes us to the verse in section 9 that refers to translation) of whatever you ask about in faith(faith, defined as something Oliver has a testimony of; the Book of Mormon) the Lord mentions this specifically because He knows of the time when Oliver was boarding at the Smith home as a teacher and heard Joseph Smith’s story, told from Joseph’s family, and when alone in his room asked the Lord in prayer if the work Joseph was doing was from the Lord. The spirit testified to him plainly and strongly that it was the work of the Lord. Only Oliver and the Lord knew what happened in his room that night. Joseph didn’t find out about that instance until after these revelations were given to Oliver. (Another manifestation to Oliver that the Lord is real, that Joseph is truly a prophet) He continues to say that if Oliver goes to the Lord with an honest heart (sincerity 8b footnote) and be believing he will receive the gift he sought (that of translating), than he will receive it, along with any other gifts he wants because the gift of revelation is a powerful gift and encompasses many areas.

Before we go on here I also want you to keep another thing in mind. This section or revelation comes from what I believe the question was, “Can Oliver translate the Book of Mormon?” The answer is yes, he even gives him advice on how to start and the tools he will need to do it, however, it is my assumption that, Oliver didn’t quite understand or it didn’t register exactly why, specifically He was telling him the things he was, because Oliver didn’t translate right. Well talk about that in a minute. First lets see what specific gift the Lord is telling him he has, that will help in the translation process.
8:2 “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost”, He tells him that the Holy Ghost will dwell(live with or be with) with him as long as he stays worthy of that spirit.
*How would knowing that the H.G is with him help him? Or us for that matter?
8:3The Lord tells him that this gift is the same power Moses had and used to part the red sea and save the people.
*How would knowing, he had the same gift Moses had, help Oliver? Us?
8:4 This gift shall deliver you (oliver) out of your enemies hands so they can’t kill you!
*How could using this gift help him do that? How can this relate to our lives?
**Back to our object lesson, if we aren’t constantly asking for the Lord’s guidance, and direction, how will we come out looking like a tree? Only He knows who to trust, what choices we should make, what places and things we should spend our time on.

*so I imagine the yes answer of being able to translate, led him to take up the tools and try it. However, I picture it something like this. Oliver picks up the urim and thumim glasses thing, puts them on and starts to see words and then not too long into it, the process stopped working and he couldn’t do it anymore. Therefore comes another question which led to Revelation in section 9; the question? “How come Oliver is unable to translate?”

The Lord reveals to him several answers as to why he was unable to translate.
1-v2 I have other records I want you to translate, this record is to be translated by Joseph, it is his calling, (Oliver didn’t see what the Lord knew, there were other records he would translate, not this one)
2-v3 This failure was for you to learn patience, He didn’t say he would translate this record there were others. Also, the Lord lets us fail on occasion so we can be more experienced, and knowledgeable to what doesn’t work. How many of us have learned this lesson over and over. (sometimes this is the only answer I feel like I get to my prayers, but as I think about it I know that isn’t true)
3-v4 Your work in all this is to write for Joseph, be happy with that for now!
*How does one feel when you are already in the right spot for your life right now?
4-v5 Oliver gave up before he figured it out. He thought his knowledge of how to read and write, watching Joseph do it, and merely getting the Lord’s permission would be enough to get him by.
*What can we learn from this though? Trust the Lord in all things. There is more to doing something, just because you know how, if it isn’t the Lords will for you, you will fail at it, not because you aren’t smart enough, but because perhaps you are meant to do something else.
5-v7 Just because you ask for something and the Lord doesn’t say “No” doesn’t mean that it means “yes” either.
*What could our answer be? What have some of your answers been in these types of situations? Have you ever wondered how come something isn’t working out in your life that you thought you had confirmation of? Well here is the answer.
6-v 8 Perhaps the work you are meant to do takes more than just the Lord’s permission, You need to pray for the exact next step, not just proceed how you believe you should.
After you feel like you know it is right, and we know by peaceful feelings or burning(v9), if not, a stupor of thought will happen, after your next step is confirmed then proceed. Perhaps the next step in the process needs a more exact, precise answer so that it will turn out like the whole tree rather than one with missing limbs.
*The reason Oliver’s next step failed is 2 reasons, 1-he failed to ask the Lord if what he was reading was right and 2-is found in verse 10
7-v11 He feared! Plain and simple, He feared failing, he feared that He didn’t know what was happening-why it wasn’t working, He feared rather than trusted.
*How many of us fear-fear the outcome, fear if we made the right step or decision, fear that we can’t do what is asked? That could be why things aren’t working out, after you’ve received confirmation.
V12 Then the Lord tells Him I’m not mad that you failed this attempt, don’t give up, use this as a learning experience, you will still translate future records and you will remember this failed attempt and do better.
V13 do what is asked of you right now, be the scribe, be faithful, don’t be discouraged
V14 stand fast as scribe, be happy there, enjoy where you are and the work you are called to do.
I have a testimony in revelation, I know that it is important that we receive it every step of our lives. I know the Lord answers our prayers through revelation, I know that sometimes it feels like revelation is confusing, but when we know why we need revelation, when we know why it isn’t working, and when we know why it works; that we will be made into what the Lord sees that we can be made into; that it takes practice and an occasional failed attempt at something to get to the exact place the Lord wants us; I know it is all for a greater purpose and design. I know that the Lord guides my life every step I have asked him for, and fortunately for me even some I have been too stubborn to ask Him for. I Love Him and I am grateful for revelation in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.