Revelation

                Last week’s post brought up the scripture James 1:5-6:  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”  The first part of this scripture, prayer, was the focus of last week’s blog.  This week I would like to focus on the second part:  revelation.
                There is a story about this subject of which I am particularly fond.  One of the general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I can’t remember which one, but I think it was Elder Robert D. Hales) was having a discussion with a friend.  The discussion was about whether or not God communicates with man.  Both accepted The Holy Bible as true, as I do.  I will assume you, the reader and possibly commenter, do as well.  Accepting The Holy Bible as true meant both accepted that God communicated with man anciently.
                The general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knew God still communicates with man.  However, his friend did not.  So He asked how one could believe in modern revelation.  The response was that only one of three reasons could make it possible for God to have communicated with man anciently and not now.  The two concluded none were possible and therefore God must communicate with man today.  I believe these points can prove God has always communicated with man.  So I want to address them.
                The first point I wish to address was that God has lost the power to communicate with man.  For this blog it will be expanded that God never had the power.  Yet we know this can’t be so.  Past blogs have demonstrated that God is omnipotent.  He has power over all that is in the earth because He created it.  What, then, could prevent Him from having the ability to communicate with man?  The answer is nothing.  He has always had the ability to communicate with us.
                The second possibility is that God does not want to communicate with man.  This is also not possible.  God is our creator.  He has a vested interest in our success because He wants us to return to His presence.  He loves us more perfectly than any mortal father loves his children.  And just as a mortal father wants to communicate with his children, God wants to communicate with us.
                The final possibility is that we don’t need to talk with God.  But be honest with yourself.  You know you need God.  Look at the troubles in your life.  Perhaps, like me, you are uncertain about what your future holds and where you need to look to find it.  You need direction from Him as to what to do.  Or perhaps you have a child with a big problem.   You need direction from God on the correct way to help your precious one.  Or maybe your heart has been broken and you need to know your Heavenly Father loves you to lift your spirits.
                It doesn’t matter what the problems are, you have them.  And you need direction.  And no one in this world is immune.  Just consider the problems of our world and you will know it’s true.  We have starvation throughout the world.  Drug lords, terrorists, and oppressive monarchs rule many parts of the world.  Economic collapse has crippled many countries in the world, including the United States.  Hatred rages in the hearts of many.  And overall morale collapse is claiming the societies of the world.
                How can anyone claim that we don’t need God.  Look into your heart and you will know we have always needed Him.  Not only have we always needed Him, we need Him more now than at any other time in the history of our world. 
                So, God has the power to communicate with us, He has the desire, and we have the need.  What other possible reason is there for why God wouldn’t communicate with us? 
                I know that God can communicate with us and He does.  This is what we call revelation.  When we exercise our faith and pray to God, God will answer us through revelation.  I know this is true.  I’ve had the privilege of having revelation bless my life and the lives of my family.  You, too, can have this blessing in your life.  Therefore, practice the admonition of James 1:5-6.