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TYLER - I’ve been reading your responses for nearly two decades now and I appreciate how you shoot down the middle with your resources and answers and don’t go “into the weeds” on speculation. I would greatly appreciate your views on a question on revelation. Two examples generated this question. Scenario one was some online video about B.O.M geography and the presenter said the spirit testified to me that the heartland model is true just like it did when it told me the B.O.M was the word of God. Second example was a church historian who makes video showing evidence Joseph wasn’t a polygamist and it was Brigham who started the practice. And she shared a story when his wife disagreed but in an interview with his stake president was told by his leader that the spirit testified that his findings were true. Which goes against church teachings. Beyond the basic “good feelings” and “studying it out” is there a verification process to know what is revelation from God so we’re not all getting different “answers” and avoid spiritual deception?
JOEL - First of all we need to make sure our answers don't conflict with the scriptures and then we need to make sure the answer is in harmony with what our latter-day prophets have said. If the scriptures or the latter-day prophets have said something different or have not said anything at all "official" on the subject, then whatever answer a person gets might be coming from his own mind and feelings on the subject. A person may feel that he has been given a spiritual confirmation from the Holy Ghost, but even if he has, that is for his edification alone and should not be communicated to others as the true and final answer for a subject.
When people report things like you described I tend to just accept it as something that is "interesting" (as Mr Spock would say) but not necessarily "official".The Holy Ghost testifies of doctrines and truth, not trivia. Exactly where the events of the Book of Mormon took place is an example of trivia. If it is something that is not necessary to know for our obtaining eternal life or does not serve God or man, the Holy Ghost is probably not going to give confirmation on the subject.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said this about the spirit:
“That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. … If it invites to do good, it is of God." (Preach My Gospel [2004], 97).
President Boyd K. Packer counseled:
“I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are called by proper authority to do so, they do not position us to counsel or to correct others. (Like that presenter of the heartland theory did.)
He went on to say,
“I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of others” (“The Candle of the Lord,”).
If more people followed this counsel there would be less confusion.
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