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Personal revelation from a loving Heavenly
Father was the theme of the devotional address given by Brad W.
Farnsworth at Brigham Young University-Idaho on Tuesday, October
25. Brother Farnsworth serves as the Administrative Vice
President at Brigham Young University.
Brother Farnsworth began by sharing a quote by President Gordon
B. Hinckley in which he stated, “God is the source of truth. He
is the fount of all inspiration…We are His children. Out of the
love he bears for us, He will guide us if we will seek, listen,
and obey.”
Brother Farnsworth then shared one of his favorite stories told
by President Hugh B. Brown, a former counselor in the First
Presidency. President Brown told of an experience he had while
working on his farm in Canada. He found a currant bush that was
over six feet high and was going to wood, losing its ability to
produce fruit. President Brown took out his pruning shears and
cut it down and pruned it until there was nothing left but a
clump of stumps. President Brown recalls imagining that the bush
was crying out to him, wondering why he would cut it down after
it had become so big. He then imagined a day when the currant
bush would thank him because it had become laden with fruit
after the trimming process.
In a related story, President Brown shared his own personal
experiences of being trimmed back, as the currant tree was, by
the Master Gardener. President Brown had been serving in the
Canadian Army and had worked his way up the ranks to become a
general. When it came time for his appointment, he was told that
he was fully qualified for the position but would not be
considered. President Brown later found he was not given the
appointment because he was a Mormon. He was heartbroken and even
found himself asking God how such a thing could happen to him.
Then he remembered the experiences from earlier in his life with
the currant bush. This caused him to be thankful to God for
cutting him down and for loving him enough to let him be hurt.
Continuing on the theme of President Brown’s stories about
revelation, Brother Farnsworth said, “Many times we think that
Heavenly Father inspires us only about spiritual matters –
giving a talk in church, understanding a scripture, or nudging
us to bear testimony to a nonmember friend. I’m convinced that
He is interested in all aspects of our life and is willing to
reveal truth and wisdom if we are willing to listen.”
Brother Farnsworth further taught that Heavenly Father
determines when revelation will be given, and it is our
responsibility to always be prepared to receive it. He then gave
four principles that will help one to be prepared when that
revelation does come. First, one who expects to receive
revelation must be worthy. Second, revelation usually comes line
upon line. Third, one must ask the right questions to receive
the revelation they seek. Fourth, one must act with faith to
carry out the Lord’s will.
Encouraging his audience to not allow doubts or the fear of man
take the place of spiritual impressions in one’s mind, Brother
Farnsworth asked, “When you seek the Lord’s counsel, do you have
the determination of Nephi to do whatever the Lord commands? Do
you become more distracted by the effects of possible
consequences? Do you fear God more then man?”
Brother Farnsworth concluded by saying, “As part of the plan of
happiness, we have knowledge that each of us is a child of God.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy in this life and
prepared to live with Him as families forever. As a loving
Father, He reaches out and communicates with us, spirit to
spirit, through personal revelation. Personal revelation is a
divine expression of His love to each of us, His children.”
Next week’s devotional speaker will be Sister Sara Lee Gibb,
Associate Dean of Health & Human Performance at BYU. Devotionals
are held Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with
additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel, and
Kirkham Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5
at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesdays at 7p.m. and Sundays
at 5 p.m. |