Revelation

"Reinforced constantly during my own review of the years has been my knowledge that our prayers are heard and answered. We are familiar with the truth found in 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon: “Men are, that they might have joy.” I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered—perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered and by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness. Hasn’t He promised us, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers”?" Thomas S. Monson, Consider the Blessings, General Conference, October 2012

"You know from your own experience what a testimony is. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught that a testimony “is a convincing knowledge given by revelation to [a person] who humbly seeks the truth.” He said of testimony and the Holy Ghost, who brings that revelation, “Its convincing power is so great that there can be no doubt left in the mind when the Spirit has spoken. It is the only way that a person can truly know that Jesus is the Christ and that his gospel is true.”" Henry B. Eyring, A Living Testimony, Broadcast

"My beloved brothers and sisters, communication with our Father in Heaven—including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us—is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life. The Lord invites us, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.”7 As we do so, we will feel His Spirit in our lives, providing us the desire and the courage to stand strong and firm in righteousness—to “stand … in holy places, and be not moved.”" Thomas S. Monson, Stand in Holy Places, General Conference, Oct. 2011

"If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you." Jeffery R. Holland, An Ensign to the Nations, General Conference, April 2011

"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration." Richard G. Scott, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, General Conference, April 2012

"There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight.

Another principle is to be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life." Richard G. Scott, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, General Conference, April 2012

"Humility is a fertile soil where spirituality grows and produces the fruit of inspiration to know what to do. It gives access to divine power to accomplish what must be done. An individual motivated by a desire for praise or recognition will not qualify to be taught by the Spirit. An individual who is arrogant or who lets his or her emotions influence decisions will not be powerfully led by the Spirit." Richard G. Scott, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, General Conference, April 2012

"The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives." David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, General Conference, April 2011

"...tools of the adversary can impair and eventually destroy our capacity to recognize and respond to the subtle messages from God delivered by the power of His Spirit." David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, General Conference, April 2011

"...we many times receive revelation without recognizing precisely how or when we are receiving revelation." David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, General Conference, April 2011

I only have a couple of very specific experiences related to revelation, both during my mission, and both very in keeping with the principles I read and learned from these quotes. On one occasion I sought a confirmation of the truth of the Book of Mormon. I had just read an article called "The Most Useful Piece of Knowledge" by Elder Clayton Christensen and resolved to seek an answer the way he had. Upon reading and praying, I received an unexpected reprimand, "You know the truth of it. Don't question it, teach it." This really turned into a confirmation that the Lord does hear and answer our prayers.