inquiringmind Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I remember a movie with Gary Cooper called "Sargent York."The main character struggled with whether to answer his countries call when he received his WWI draft notification, until his Bible opened to the passage that reads "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."In the movie, that was his answer, and he became a national hero,In real life, is just starting to read wherever your Bible or Book of Mormon falls open a good way to receive revelation?
Freedom Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I suppose if you only what a glimpse to heaven. I have had desperate moments where inspiration came in this matter, be it by a random passage, a message on the radio, or a innocuous word from a friend. If you immerse yourself in the scriptures on a daily basis, you can just imagine how much more revelation will be opened up to you.
inquiringmind Posted June 14, 2012 Author Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Suppose you're looking for the answer to a question, is letting your Bible fall open in your lap one way to settle it? Edited June 14, 2012 by inquiringmind
Freedom Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 Suppose you're looking for the answer to a question, is letting your Bible fall open in your lap one way to settle it?Well, suppose you need to buy food, is randomly grabbing something of a random shelf at the store a way to settle it? I think that, from time to time, God will lead us where we go but if we intentionally leave our live plan to chance, we will be on our own. I think you know the answer to your question so I am not sure what you are getting at. Many people stumble upon an answer to a problem by chance but the general rule is to seek the answers property. It is an easy enough theory to test and does not require any discussion here. Make up a list of 5 questions you want God to answer. Next randomly open your bible and drop your finger on a verse with out looking until the finger touches the page. Do this 5 times, once for each question. I just did it as an example. My first question was: how shall I help my youngest be more honest at school. The answer I found isBy pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,I think that is a pretty good answer but not really helpful. My next question was "how can I show my home teaching families God loves them"2 Samual 16:6 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so aAbsalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.This one, not so helpful. I vote for proper studying and not relying on the random pits of inspiration that God will give if you are truly daft.
inquiringmind Posted June 14, 2012 Author Posted June 14, 2012 I think you know the answer to your question so I am not sure what you are getting at.I don't think I do know the answer to this question, and I've actually been thinking about it for a long time.I vote for proper studying and not relying on the random pits of inspiration that God will give if you are truly daft.But is anything really random?I mean, if time is measured only unto men, and past, present, and future are one eternal round to God, and if He's as powerful as scripture says He is, does anything just happen?
mapman Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I was surprised to find that there's a term for this: bibliomancy.
inquiringmind Posted June 14, 2012 Author Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) I was surprised to find that there's a term for this: bibliomancy.Interesting?But is it legit?Does God talk to us that way (and can we expect Him to)? Edited June 15, 2012 by inquiringmind
volgadon Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) Interesting?But is it legit?It can definitely be a legitimate form of inspiration, I even use it myself. Of course it doesn't mean you will always be inspired that way, but it is part of what having living scriptures means. Edited June 15, 2012 by volgadon
inquiringmind Posted June 15, 2012 Author Posted June 15, 2012 Of course it doesn't mean you will always be inspired that wayWhy not?
volgadon Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) Why not?The same as any other form of revelation, inspiration, etc., not everything occurence of similar phenomena is from God. For example, I do believe that many dreams can be a form of revelation, but sometimes a bizarre dream is just that, a bizarre dream Edited June 15, 2012 by volgadon
inquiringmind Posted June 15, 2012 Author Posted June 15, 2012 The same as any other form of revelation, inspiration, etc., not everything occurence of similar phenomena is from God. For example, I do believe that many dreams can be a form of revelation, but sometimes a bizarre dream is just that, a bizarre dreamThank you.
Freedom Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 I don't think I do know the answer to this question, and I've actually been thinking about it for a long time.But is anything really random?I mean, if time is measured only unto men, and past, present, and future are one eternal round to God, and if He's as powerful as scripture says He is, does anything just happen?What is good for the goose is good for the gander. did you try the experiment I suggested? How did it work out? Do you think you can become an electrician by using the same technique?
Log Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) In real life, is just starting to read wherever your Bible or Book of Mormon falls open a good way to receive revelation?IM: there is no substitute for exercising mighty faith unto revelation. I hope this might help, even though you're not LDS. "2: Ne 25:29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out." Edited June 15, 2012 by Log
Storm Rider Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 I don't think there is a formula for revelation. There is a need for being open to the Spirit, but beyond that revelation is not restricted to a specific formula or being in a specific place or doing a specific thing. Paul was on the road to Emmaus, Peter was denying the Christ, and Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek. Just relax, become converted, seek to follow, and try to be in a constant state of communion with the Spirit. It is a life-long process of learning, but it yields a strong relationship with God; revelation follows.
zerinus Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) In real life, is just starting to read wherever your Bible or Book of Mormon falls open a good way to receive revelation?Suppose you're looking for the answer to a question, is letting your Bible fall open in your lap one way to settle it?It will depend on whom you ask! This is not standard LDS practice, and you will not find an answer to it by reading official Church publications, conference messages, or writings of General Authorities. So asking this question from LDS you are likely to get conflicting answers. So my answer is going to be a non-standard answer like everybody else's. That said, I believe it can be a way of obtaining an answer to a question or a problem, but it still requires faith, the ability to recognise the answer given, and a commitment to follow the advice. People throughout sacred history have used various devices to obtain revelation, such as the Urim & Thummim, seer stone, the rod of Aaron (used by Oliver Cowdery), the Liahona, even drawing lots (used to choose a successor to Judas); but still it has always required the element of faith. The spindles in the Liahona worked according to their faith. If they had faith to believe it would work it did, otherwise it didn't! So to summarise, I think that your methodology can work provided it is (1) carried out in faith; (2) you are spiritual enough to recognise the answer when given; and (3) you start with a commitment to follow the advice so given. Edited June 15, 2012 by zerinus
CV75 Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 I remember a movie with Gary Cooper called "Sargent York."The main character struggled with whether to answer his countries call when he received his WWI draft notification, until his Bible opened to the passage that reads "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."In the movie, that was his answer, and he became a national hero,In real life, is just starting to read wherever your Bible or Book of Mormon falls open a good way to receive revelation?If they are truly random, then no.If a random selection strikes someone as meaningful and it leads to bonafide reveleation of some kind, then maybe, and only when it works.If it is not random, or guided by God to be given to you and you receive by the power of the Holy Ghost, then yes.
mfbukowski Posted June 17, 2012 Posted June 17, 2012 If they are truly random, then no.If a random selection strikes someone as meaningful and it leads to bonafide reveleation of some kind, then maybe, and only when it works.If it is not random, or guided by God to be given to you and you receive by the power of the Holy Ghost, then yes.Like all spiritual phenomena, there is no way of knowing for sure, is there? That's why they call it "faith".
CV75 Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 (edited) Like all spiritual phenomena, there is no way of knowing for sure, is there? That's why they call it "faith".I guess so! And I guess we can only know after faith has been excercised! (and we can only know for ourselves, not for another) Edited June 18, 2012 by CV75
Deborah Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 If you are purposely opening the scriptures to get an answer I would say no this is not a good way to get revelation. If, however, you have been struggling and praying for something and happen to open the scriptures to a passage that lights up your mind and gives you peace in your heart then that is a form of revelation, and it has happened to me on numerous occasions.I have a habit of reading scriptures in the early evening regularly but I also after the morning prayer open the scriptures for what I consider my spiritual guide for the day. I don't expect revelation but I do it just to get some inspiration for the day. But very often I have read an answer to something that has been on my mind.Revelation requires effort on our part, but that doesn't mean that it won't come as something as simple as opening the scriptures if we've already done the work. Look how many revelations Joseph Smith received after he read a passage of scripture and then asked a question to understand better. 1
inquiringmind Posted June 20, 2012 Author Posted June 20, 2012 If you are purposely opening the scriptures to get an answer I would say no this is not a good way to get revelation.Why not?I read the rest of your post, and I thank you.But why would you say this is not a good way to get revelation "if you are purposely opening the scriptures to get an answer"?
Deborah Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 I meant if you haven't done any studying or praying but just expect the answer to pop up when you open the scripture. That doesn't mean studying at that moment but having a habit of reading the scriptures and praying. I do believe the Gary Cooper character in the movie was very religious and had a habit of searching the scriptures. In other words one has to put in some effort.That movie btw was based on a real person.
ERayR Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 I remember a movie with Gary Cooper called "Sargent York."The main character struggled with whether to answer his countries call when he received his WWI draft notification, until his Bible opened to the passage that reads "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."In the movie, that was his answer, and he became a national hero,In real life, is just starting to read wherever your Bible or Book of Mormon falls open a good way to receive revelation?Not nearly as good as invoking the spirit and receiving personal revelation.
cinepro Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 A friend who was a Bishop told me a story of a ward member whose business was in serious trouble. He came to my friend for guidance, but my friend was at a loss (not being a businessman), and he suggested the man "search the scriptures". A few weeks later, the ward member was much happier, and when the Bishop asked him why, he said he had decided that he would let his scriptures fall open and take whatever advice (if any) was on that page.When his book opened and he looked down, it had opened to "Chapter 11".
Anteojito Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Hey I think I will try it a couple of times. Let see first verse:Mathew 27:5 “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”MMM... Let try it again second verse:Luke 10:37 ‘…Go and do thou likewise”
mfbukowski Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Hey I think I will try it a couple of times. Let see first verse:Mathew 27:5 “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”MMM... Let try it again second verse:Luke 10:37 ‘…Go and do thou likewise”
Recommended Posts