Evening with a General Authority:

Highlights
Evening with a General Authority

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Friday, February 7, 2020

Elder Bednar reminded us that teaching is not telling; it includes listening,

observing, and discerning. It also certainly includes an invitation for the Holy Ghost
to teach us.

Question

President Nelson recently taught about the importance of personal revelation.

What would you teach us about receiving personal revelation?

Elder David A. Bednar

As we honor our covenants, we may have the Holy Ghost as our constant
companion. We often talk as if hearing the voice of the Lord through His
Spirit is a rare event. We should focus more on recognizing what happens to
cause the Spirit to leave. If you and I are doing our best and not committing
serious transgression, then we can always rely on the Holy Ghost to guide us.

Many people seem to believe that inspiration from the Holy Ghost is
dramatic, big, and sudden. The truth is the Holy Ghost guides in still, small,
and incremental ways over time. You often will not recognize that you are
receiving revelation in the moment that you are receiving revelation.

Nephi is the perfect example of this model. He went not knowing beforehand
the things that he should do.1 He pressed forward but did not know in every
instance that he was being guided. We should make the connection that what
happened to Nephi is probably how revelation works for us in many
instances.

Members of the Church are sometimes terrified they will make a mistake, so
they do not press forward. Nephi and his brothers drew lots. That did not
work well. Was that experience for Nephi a mistake? No. He learned a great

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lesson. When they tried to get the brass plates from Laban using their gold
and all their possessions, Nephi learned another lesson to prepare him for
what lay ahead.

There are principles related to receiving revelation. For example, President

Packer said, “President Harold B. Lee told me once that inspiration comes
easier when you can set foot on the site related to the need for it. … President
Lee was right!”2 There is value in being in the place, pondering, praying, and
seeking for help.

This principle has huge implications in terms of ministering. Many with

ministering assignments think a text is enough. There are occasions where
you need to be in the home and you need to look the people in the eyes. You
will receive impressions and inspiration in the home that you will never get
any other way.

Question

Would you add anything to our understanding of the revelation received by

President Nelson and other leaders of the Church?

Elder David A. Bednar

Many members of the Church talk about how much revelation has come since
President Nelson became the President of the Church. The adjustments that
are coming forth now have been discussed and prayed for in councils for
years and even decades. In many instances, the revelation is not what to do
but when to do it.

Question

Besides receiving revelation on when to do it, every once in a while we will

receive revelation on what to do as well, correct?

Elder David A. Bednar

Do not make it mutually exclusive; it is not one or the other. Many times the
revelation on what to do is pretty clear. But the timing of when to do it is
what many people struggle with. So, as needed, we can receive revelation
both on what to do and when to do it—not simply one or the other.

Question

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As teachers, we prepare our lessons and pray for the students. How do we
recognize inspiration for those whom we are teaching and ministering to?

Elder David A. Bednar

During your preparation and prayers, there will often be a sudden thought, a
stroke of inspiration, and you may have a name come to your mind or even
see a familiar face. The Prophet Joseph Smith described it as “sudden strokes
of ideas.”3 When it comes suddenly, you may recognize that you have
received exactly what is needed, and those instances are quite remarkable.

One of the greatest sources of insight you will have are the questions your
students will ask. Over a number of years, I have had a practice of answering
questions from thousands of youth and young adults. Because of large
numbers in meetings, I often allow them to text their questions to me in a
controlled way. (I am not suggesting you do this in the same way.) Reading
those anonymous questions is one of the greatest learning experiences
anybody can have when working with young people. They really ask what
they are troubled by and what they need help with. How do we know what to
say or teach until we know where they are?

Question

In seeking revelation, we should not have a prescriptive list—a list of things

we should do and when. It should be more principle based, correct? Yet we
have examples of Nephi, Joseph Smith, and Joseph F. Smith reading the
scriptures, listening to the prophet, and then receiving revelation. Are those
principles, or is that a pattern?

Elder David A. Bednar

We feast upon the word of God so we can hear and recognize the Lord’s
voice. When we turn seeking revelation into a list—do these things and this
will happen—that is when we are on dangerous ground. We must wait upon
the Lord, be aware of and responsive to His timing—we do not demand
revelation based upon our timing.

Question

How can we live our lives in such a way that we are always ready for
revelation whenever the Lord is ready to pour it out on us?

Elder David A. Bednar

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The phrase ready for is significant. We should always be living ready for
revelation—that we “may always have his Spirit to be with [us].”4

There may be some who take this to the extreme; please use common sense.

Think of how Oliver Cowdery came to be Joseph Smith’s scribe. He heard

about golden plates, about Joseph Smith, and had a desire to meet Joseph. He
acted upon that desire.

The Lord declared to Oliver:

“Blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and
behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my
Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where
thou art at this time.

“Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy
mind.”5

The next sentence in this verse is the most compelling to me. Oliver was
being inspired and had no idea he was being inspired. He was receiving
revelation and had no idea he was receiving revelation. So a revelation came
through Joseph to Oliver to tell Oliver he had been inspired and was receiving
revelation.

“And now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been
enlightened by the Spirit of truth.”6

That is what I mean about always having His Spirit to be with us.

Question

You mentioned that Nephi and his brothers cast lots to determine who would
go and ask for the brass plates and then tried buying them with gold and
silver. When we need to do something, how can we ensure that we do it at the
right timing? How do we know that we are doing it right?

Elder David A. Bednar

Nephi did not make a mistake or misjudge the timing. It was a learning
experience, line upon line, precept upon precept. He was being prepared with
each attempt—“not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do.”7

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If we are doing our best and striving to be consecrated and devoted, we are
not going to influence others inappropriately. Heaven is in charge of this
work, not you and me. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I
have assignments all the time that I know I cannot possibly do on my own. As
you do your best, you are enlarged and magnified. You will not always know
consciously when the right time is. Just do your very best.

President Hinckley often taught, “It all just works out.” And I believed that,
but I still thought, “Come on; there has to be more than that.” The older I get,
the more I understand that is the only answer there is. God will not leave you
alone as you try to succor, nurture, and minister to His children. If you do
your best, acting in righteousness, it will work out. And you will learn lessons
along the way.

Question

How do we teach students who may feel inadequate that they should be ready
for revelation all the time? That may seem to be a daunting task for them.

Elder David A. Bednar

Instead of thinking, “What am I going to tell them?” the focus should be,
“What would I ask them?” And not only “What would I ask them?” but also
“What would I invite them to do?”

The very act of asking questions is inviting them to act. If that student will
answer, that is an expression of faith in Christ. Faith is a principle of action
and of power. As we act in accordance with the teachings of Christ, we are
blessed with His power. What most of us want is the power first so we can
act. That does not work.

Our intent ought not to be “What do I tell them?” Instead, the questions to ask
ourselves are “What can I invite them to do? What inspired questions can I
ask that, if they are willing to respond, will begin to invite the Holy Ghost
into their lives?” The questions to ask are really very simple, such as “What
are you learning?” By answering questions, that individual is inviting the
Holy Ghost to guide his or her answers. Our role is to make it safe to discuss
those things and to invite them to act so that the Holy Ghost can teach.

If you love them and are really trying to do what heaven wants, you will be
guided in the simplest of ways. Questions need not be complicated. You try to
find out where they are in their understanding because you really care.

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There is always justified concern about young people who fall away. There
are just too many who have not been invited to learn for themselves; they
simply rely on what other people have told them. “If all you or I know about
Jesus Christ and His restored gospel is what other people teach or tell us, then
the foundation of our testimony of Him … is built upon sand.”8 That is why
inviting them to act and learn for themselves helps them build a stronger
foundation.

Question

A young man read the Book of Mormon for the first time and concluded he
had not felt the Spirit. Perhaps he was waiting for angels from heaven to
declare it was true. How can we help in this type of situation?

Elder David A. Bednar

There are many incredibly faithful members of the Church who do not think
they measure up because they have not had dramatic experiences like those
sometimes described in fast and testimony meeting. Dramatic experiences are
not the norm. If you honor your covenants and are pressing forward, you are
doing fine and you are normal. Saul was not converted by the light. Alma the
Younger was not converted by the angel.

“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax
strong in the presence of God.”9 Not confidence in you—confidence in Them
to get done what none of us can do.

Brother Chad Webb

That which persuades us to do good, to believe in Christ, is of God.10 We

might be surprised to find out someday that the thoughts we thought were
ours were really from the Holy Ghost. As we try to do good, our thoughts and
desires will be guided by the Holy Ghost.

In President Nelson’s talk on revelation, he invited us to pour out our hearts

to Heavenly Father, speak with Him, be honest with Him, and then listen. He
asked us to write down the impressions that come and then act on them. Then
he said, “As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year
after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation.’”11

Most of the inspiration that has come for me personally did not come while I
was praying. I pray; I ponder; I try to write down impressions that come. But

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as I act, then the inspiration comes. During a lesson, when singing a hymn,
when talking to somebody, or in other settings, answers to prayers start
to come.

Elder David A. Bednar

One caution: the means or modes of revelation can vary for people all over
the world. For example, in Africa, people often have remarkable dreams. It is
not uncommon for the missionaries to encounter someone on the street who
says, “I saw you in a dream, and you have a message from God. I want to
hear what you have to tell me.” I do not have dreams like some of the faithful
Saints in Africa do.

We teach largely from our own experience, so we have to be careful not to

impose our pattern of experience on others. It does not mean that their pattern
is any less valid or useful. Remember that there is a variety of different ways
the Spirit of the Lord can connect with somebody’s mind and heart.

Please be open to a wide range of things that you might invite and entice
somebody to do so they can act and learn for themselves.

Question

How do we increase confidence in our ability to receive personal revelation

and not rely on a process we may have heard or read about from someone
else?

Elder David A. Bednar

A quote from President Joseph F. Smith is an incredible resource for someone

who is beginning this journey of gaining confidence in receiving revelation:

“Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs, and
visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you
members of the Church who are not in good standing before God, and who
are walking in slippery paths. It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us
that we shall be established in the truth, but it is by humility and faithful
obedience to the commandments and laws of God…

“As a boy … I would frequently … ask the Lord to show me some marvelous
thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld
marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, … until he made
me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and

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until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to
send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did He have to speak with the
trump of an archangel. By the whisperings of the still small voice of the spirit
of the living God, He gave to me the testimony I possess.

“And by this principle and power he will give to all the children of men a
knowledge of the truth that will stay with them, and it will make them to
know the truth, as God knows it, and to do the will of the Father as Christ
does it. And no amount of marvelous manifestations will ever accomplish
this.”12

Anyone struggling can take the first steps and do what Joseph F. Smith did.

Some members of the Church want to see a light on the road to Damascus
before they believe. Really? Was Saul in any condition to recognize the still,
small voice? He had to have a spiritual wake-up call. Many expect to see an
angel the way Alma the Younger did. Really? Alma was not in any condition
to receive the still, small voice. He had to have a spiritual wake-up call. And
President Joseph F. Smith testified that it is not the light nor the angel. It is
recognizing the still, small voice that brings confidence. Just go and do.

If we are not keeping the commandments, we cannot have that confidence

and we will not have the companionship of the Spirit. There are young people
who need to repent, and there are young people who are too hard on
themselves and never think they are good enough. You do not have to be
perfect; you simply have to sincerely repent, be good, do your best, and press
forward.

Question

You have spoken and written a lot about being student centered and focused
on their progress. Is there more you would like to teach us about inviting the
Holy Ghost into that process?

Elder David A. Bednar

“Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once;
but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all
have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man [and woman]
may have an equal privilege.”13 We are not the teachers; the Holy Ghost is.
This verse is an admonition to appoint the Holy Ghost to be the teacher. And
“a pattern”—not the only pattern—is to let one speak at a time and let all
listen unto his sayings. That sounds so simple, and it might even look easy.

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If people feel safe, they can give voice to some of their questions and what
they are unsure about. They do not learn from other people in the room per se,
but what someone says might allow the Holy Ghost to teach them
individually. They do participate in a collective expression of faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ as everyone in that setting is asking, seeking, and knocking.
And in that individual and collective exercise of faith, we invite. The word
appoint doesn’t mean designate. We cannot designate the Holy Ghost to be
the teacher, but we can invite and entice the Holy Ghost to be the teacher.

In a missionary meeting we discussed a number of issues, and I asked the

missionaries, “What are you hearing that has not been said?” An 18-year-old
missionary, who had been in the field for four weeks, answered, “Elder
Bednar, if I hear an answer in your voice or in the voice of another
missionary, that is a message for everyone. If I feel it in my heart or have a
thought in my mind, that is from God just for me.” Are you dazzled by that
answer? How long would it take to lecture somebody or create some kind of
role-play or other experience where an 18-year-old would have that spiritual
insight?

So inviting others to act—to exercise their faith—helps to entice the Holy

Ghost to teach them individually and everybody collectively.

It is so important to be learner centered and invite the Holy Ghost to be the

teacher. We have a role to play. We do the inviting and enticing and guiding,
but then the Holy Ghost directs things in remarkable ways.

Question

A young lady asked me if I remembered teaching her a certain principle. She

said it changed her life forever. I remembered the situation, and I did not
teach her that at all; she actually missed the point of what I was trying to
teach. She was taught by the Spirit. How do we help students recognize they
are receiving revelation so they can have the confidence to seek it more for
themselves?

Elder David A. Bednar

What might you invite her to do so that she would have eyes to see what she
has not seen before?

The Holy Ghost will bring all things to our remembrance.14 She had a
remarkable experience where she heard something that clearly was not being

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said. Help her identify that. Ask her to think about her experience and
discover one or two more episodes like that. Help her find a pattern in those
two or three things that have taken place and discover what brought that
spiritual insight.

There is vast diversity among our young people, and they have all kinds of
challenges and issues. But we ought to expect them to be what we tell them
they are. And we ought to invite them to act. And you will stand all amazed at
what they come up with. Think first about what to invite them to do so they
can learn what they need to learn.

Question

Can you help us understand, or maybe learn, how to listen and observe better?

Elder David A. Bednar

I would recommend that you get an inexpensive paperback copy of the Book
of Mormon and read it from beginning to end, looking for every instance of
“eyes to see and ears to hear,” or similar wording. Also look in the Doctrine
and Covenants and the New Testament. Go into the scriptures as an agent—
asking, seeking, and knocking—with your question: “How do I see what I do
not usually see? How do I hear what I do not usually hear?” As you go into
the scriptures with those questions, the Holy Ghost will tutor you and provide
the answers to your questions. I cannot give it to you; the Holy Ghost will
teach you individually, privately, and personally what that answer is for you.

Let me share an example. My wife, Susan, has always been an incredibly

faithful visiting teacher. When the adjustment was made to ministering and
President Nelson asked for “higher and holier”15 ways of ministering, Susan
listened and wanted to figure out what that was. After pondering and praying,
she came to a stunning conclusion—to ask her sisters to whom she
ministered, “What does higher and holier mean to you in our ministering?”

That is the simplest and most obvious question you could ask, but the
responses from her sisters were amazing. One sister asked to go to the temple
together. Another sister asked to read a general conference talk and then get
together over lunch to discuss what they learned. Susan wondered if she had
done something wrong previously. She had not done anything wrong. Higher
and holier—eyes were opened to see in ways they had not seen before.

Question

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In the remaining few minutes, would you share whatever you feel like sharing
and your testimony?

Elder David A. Bednar

I love you. I love who you are and what you are striving to become. I love
what you do. We can all improve, but I say, “Thank you.” I say thank you on
behalf of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve and the Church
Board of Education.

To live on the earth in this season of the dispensation of the fulness of times
is the blessing of a lifetime. A number of years ago, President Gordon B.
Hinckley repeatedly told me, “David, this is the greatest season in the history
of the restored Church.” And he was absolutely right.

Think of the things we are blessed to see. Consider that this year is the 200th
anniversary of the First Vision. Temples have been announced in Papua New
Guinea and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We have missionaries in the Soviet
Union and formerly communist countries and a temple in the Ukraine. This is
the greatest season in the history of the restored Church.

We have a particular responsibility in this day. If we have been saved for this
day, it is because we have a lot to do, and we have a role in helping the rising
generation to be ready. This is the greatest season in the history of the
restored Church—the greatest opposition and the greatest opportunities.
Together, in this day we have this opportunity to serve, to bear testimony, to
minister, and to succor.

I pray the Holy Ghost will fill the gap between the words I express and what I
yearn to convey. I witness that the Father and the Son did appear to Joseph
Smith 200 years ago. I witness that the Father is our Father, and He is the
author of the plan of happiness. I know, I testify, and I witness that Jesus
Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. I witness that He lives.
He is resurrected; the tomb is empty. “He is not here: for he is risen.”16

I witness that through the Prophet Joseph Smith, priesthood authority and
priesthood keys have been restored to the earth and that the appearance of the
Father and the Son initiated the Restoration of the gospel. I witness that that
Restoration is ongoing.

I bear this witness and I express my love to you in the sacred name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

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1. See 1 Nephi 4:6.

2. Boyd K. Packer, “The Snow-White Birds” (Brigham Young University

conference, Aug. 29, 1995), 1, speeches.byu.edu.

3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 132.

4. Moroni 4:3.

5. Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15.

6. Doctrine and Covenants 6:15.

7. 1 Nephi 4:6.

8. David A. Bednar, “Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing ,” Ensign or

Liahona, May 2019, 102.

9. Doctrine and Covenants 121:45.

10. See Moroni 7:16.

11. Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our
Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95.

12. In Conference Report, Apr. 1900, 40–41; see also Teachings of Presidents
of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 201.

13. Doctrine and Covenants 88:122.

14. See John 14:26.

15. See Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018,

100.

16. Matthew 28:6.

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