Revelation Can Serve Various Functions........

“Whatever its form, revelation can serve various functions:

1. The testimony or witness of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ and that the gospel is true is a revelation from God.

2. Prophecy is another function of revelation. Under the influence of the Holy Ghost, a faithful member of the Church may be inspired to forsee something that will come to pass in his or her life.

3. Another function of revelation is to comfort.

4. Closely related to the feeling of comfort is the fourth function or purpose of revelation, to uplift.

5. Another function of revelation is to inform.

6. The sixth function of revelation is to restrain us from doing something.

7. A common way to seek revelation is to propose a particular course of action then pray for inspiration to confirm it.

8. The eight function of revelation is evident in those instances when the Spirit impels a person to action.

In all of its forms and functions, revelation is distinct from study and reason. Revelation is an experience, most often communicated by a feeling. It is God’s way of communicating to His children.  It is a vital way of learning from and about God.”

The Lord’s Way,  Dallin H. Oaks, 1991, Deseret Book. Pp 23-32