Avatar4321 Posted July 28, 2015 Posted July 28, 2015 What is the difference between the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. They are often mentioned separately in the scriptures and other wondered if anyone has any insight into it.
CV75 Posted July 28, 2015 Posted July 28, 2015 What is the difference between the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. They are often mentioned separately in the scriptures and other wondered if anyone has any insight into it.The same Spirit, but revelation is something that is brought into your mind and/or heart and prophecy is what you praech from your mind and heart as a result of that. I see revelation as a personal process and prophecy as an outward process of sharing that revelation with others.
Avatar4321 Posted July 28, 2015 Author Posted July 28, 2015 That might be a good differentiation. The scriptures aren't very clear on what the difference is.
CV75 Posted July 28, 2015 Posted July 28, 2015 That might be a good differentiation. The scriptures aren't very clear on what the difference is.The Encyclopedia of Mormonism has some scriptures that help define the differences: The term "prophecy" encompasses the entire range of divinely inspired utterances of a prophethttp://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Prophecy “… you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas …those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God …and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation… [TPJS, p. 151].http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Revelation
JLHPROF Posted July 29, 2015 Posted July 29, 2015 The same Spirit, but revelation is something that is brought into your mind and/or heart and prophecy is what you praech from your mind and heart as a result of that. I see revelation as a personal process and prophecy as an outward process of sharing that revelation with others. I don't know if I agree with this idea. I think it's more of a case of "all prophecies are revelations, but not all revelations are prophecies" (think thumbs and fingers). Joseph shared many revelations with others that weren't prophecies. And likewise probably made some prophecies he kept to himself.
Avatar4321 Posted July 29, 2015 Author Posted July 29, 2015 Was reading the topic of prophecy in the guide to the Holy scriptures:https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/prophecy-prophesy.p2?lang=eng&letter=A prophecy consists of divinely inspired words or writings, which a person receives through revelation from the Holy Ghost. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). A prophecy may pertain to the past, present, or future. When a person prophesies, he speaks or writes that which God wants him to know, for his own good or the good of others. Individuals may receive prophecy or revelation for their own lives.If a prophesy covers past present and future what does revelation cover? Just part of that?
JLHPROF Posted July 29, 2015 Posted July 29, 2015 Was reading the topic of prophecy in the guide to the Holy scriptures:https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/prophecy-prophesy.p2?lang=eng&letter=If a prophesy covers past present and future what does revelation cover? Just part of that? A revelation is more about doctrine and teachings. A prophecy is more about events.Just my opinion.
Broker Posted July 29, 2015 Posted July 29, 2015 Another angle would be to differentiate them as separate Gifts of the Spirit.I would say that everyone is entitled to the spiritual gift of personal revelation for themselves and those under their stewardship.I think the spirit of prophecy is more rare as a Gift of the Spirit and enables a person to see or understand things beyond their immediate stewardship, though they may be limited in what they should publicly disclose.
CV75 Posted July 29, 2015 Posted July 29, 2015 I don't know if I agree with this idea. I think it's more of a case of "all prophecies are revelations, but not all revelations are prophecies" (think thumbs and fingers). Joseph shared many revelations with others that weren't prophecies. And likewise probably made some prophecies he kept to himself.“Prophecy” is a prediction or foretelling of the future, a spiritual gift. However, “prophesy” means to reveal the will or message of God; speak or write as a prophet. The spirit of prophecy is more than predicting the future. It is the Holy Spirit performing a particular function through those that have received revelation: “The term "prophecy" encompasses the entire range of divinely inspired utterances of a prophet, both as a "forth-teller" and as a "fore-teller." The predominant assumption by many readers is that this term in the scriptures refers usually to foretelling-the prophetic power to reveal events in the future-but it is not so limited. Prophecy is a diverse spiritual gift bestowed by the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Ne. 22:2; Moro. 10:8; D&C 20:26;68:4).” http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Prophecy So I would say, as I indicated in my original post, that yes, "all prophecies [both kinds] are revelations [that are shared by a prophet], but not all revelations are prophecies [that are shared]." Was reading the topic of prophecy in the guide to the Holy scriptures:https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/prophecy-prophesy.p2?lang=eng&letter=If a prophesy covers past present and future what does revelation cover? Just part of that?Revelation covers the same things. Revelation is the means by which divine knowledge is imparted directly to one’s spirit. Prophecy is the means by which that revelation is shared with others (speech, writing, etc.). Once a person receives a prophet’s words, he must receive a personal revelation (a spiritual witness) of their truthfulness in order for it to have eternal value to him. This spiritual witness, as other revelations, can come by the power of the Holy Ghost through a direct answer to prayer, as a spiritual gift of the Holy Ghost, or over time through the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the sanctification process. While it can be said that a prophet reveals the truth to others (by prophesying), and provides revelation to others, the receiver actually needs to receive that revelation by means of the Holy Spirit in order for it to be of any use to him. Another angle would be to differentiate them as separate Gifts of the Spirit.I would say that everyone is entitled to the spiritual gift of personal revelation for themselves and those under their stewardship.I think the spirit of prophecy is more rare as a Gift of the Spirit and enables a person to see or understand things beyond their immediate stewardship, though they may be limited in what they should publicly disclose.They are definitely Gifts of the Spirit, but I think there is a difference between the role and calling of a prophet and the spirit of prophecy which all saints can have (Revelation 19:10). As the angel told John, “I am ...of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: …the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Avatar4321 Posted July 29, 2015 Author Posted July 29, 2015 It seems to me that you are suggesting that prophesy involves the ability to communicate/testify of divine truths. And that revelation is more personal communications that aren't necessarily shared. Am I getting that right or wrong and yes I'm simplifying.
CV75 Posted July 29, 2015 Posted July 29, 2015 It seems to me that you are suggesting that prophesy involves the ability to communicate/testify of divine truths. And that revelation is more personal communications that aren't necessarily shared. Am I getting that right or wrong and yes I'm simplifying.Seems good to me! Thanks for opening up this thread!
Avatar4321 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Posted July 30, 2015 I don't have a problem with that idea but how does that fit with the more sure word of prophecy where the Lord tells us that we will inherit eternal life? That is a very private experience and isn't xo consistent with the ideas we are talking about because it isn't used to communicate with others.
CV75 Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 I don't have a problem with that idea but how does that fit with the more sure word of prophecy where the Lord tells us that we will inherit eternal life? That is a very private experience and isn't xo consistent with the ideas we are talking about because it isn't used to communicate with others.As i understand it, it fits in that when the Lord speaks to you He is doing the prophesying (conveying or sending forth that which He has received of the Father), and the spirit of prophecy and revelation are operating at your end so as to receive it. Knowing by revelation and the spirit of prophecy that you are sealed up unto eternal life comes by His prophesying unto you through the power of the Holy Priesthood (see D&C 131:5), “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.” (D&C 1:38). When this word is delivered to you through His servants, the spirit of prophecy is operating in them as well as you. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy on several levels and perspectives.
Avatar4321 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Posted July 30, 2015 Much to think about. Maybe fast about too.
Avatar4321 Posted August 2, 2015 Author Posted August 2, 2015 How do we know if we have these gifts? What can we do to get them?
JLHPROF Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 How do we know if we have these gifts? What can we do to get them? Depends if they are gifts (given by God according to his will and desire) or blessings (given according to our fulfillment of the requirements).Scriptures address both kinds by talking about how we go about receiving blessings from God and by talking about how gifts of the Spirit are given.
CV75 Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 How do we know if we have these gifts? What can we do to get them?Paul encourages us to “covet earnestly the best gifts” and yet shows unto us a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31), which is charity (1 Corinthians 13). The greatest gift of all is eternal life (D&C 14:7), but the more excellent way is the pure love of Christ. I think when we seek charity as Moroni teaches it, we will seek, obtain and practice it in a similar dynamic as faith and knowledge interdependently operate: each principle builds upon the other in turn unto perfection. I think Lehi’s dream illustrates this. An important key is to press forward, holding to the rod and not being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. We know we have these gifts when we are truly happy and see the condescension of God (see 1 Nephi 8:10-12; 11:16 and related verses). 1
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