//“The grand rule of heaven [is] that nothing should ever be done on earth without revealing the secret to his servants the prophets.”//
Amos 3: 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, abut he brevealeth his csecret unto his servants the dprophets.
What is the role of revelation in a living church?
"The heavens are closed." What are the implications of this claim? How did the message of Joseph Smith attack this common opinion?
From the Life of Joseph Smith
Frequently after prayer . . . When the Prophet received these revelations, he was often in the presence of other Church leaders, with someone recording his words as he received them from the Lord. The revelations frequently came to him in answer to prayer. Parley P. Pratt, who later became a member of the Twelve, was present when the Prophet received the revelation that is now Doctrine and Covenants 50. Elder Pratt recalled:
“After we had joined in prayer in his translating room, he dictated in our presence the following revelation. Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary writer, in long hand. … There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject.”
What role did revelation play in the early days of the Church? What significance were revelations afforded?
Book of Commandments
Heading to section 1
//Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, during a special conference of elders of the Church, held at Hiram, Ohio, November 1, 1831. HC 1: 221–224. Many revelations had been received from the Lord prior to this time, and the compilation of these for publication in book form was one of the principal subjects passed upon at the conference. This section constitutes the Lord’s Preface to the doctrines, covenants, and commandments given in this dispensation.//
Although some revelations had been copied by hand for personal use, Church members generally did not have them. Joseph Smith knew that the revelations of God were of such importance that they must be carefully preserved and made available to the world. In November 1831, at a special conference held in Hiram, Ohio, the Prophet and other Church leaders decided to publish a selection of the revelations the Prophet had received up to that time. After this decision was made, the Prophet received a divine communication that the Lord called “my preface unto the book of my commandments” (D&C 1:6). This revelation, which is now Doctrine and Covenants section 1, signified the Lord’s approval for publication of the revelations and explained His purposes in giving them. “Search these commandments,” the Lord declared, “for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled” (D&C 1:37). After hearing the revelation read back to him on the second day of the conference, the Prophet “arose and expressed his feelings and gratitude” for this manifestation of the Lord’s approval.2
D&C 1:37
37 aSearch these bcommandments, for they are true and cfaithful, and the prophecies and dpromises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my aword shall not pass away, but shall all be bfulfilled, whether by mine own cvoice or by the dvoice of my eservants, it is the fsame.
A of Faith 9 + quote
Back to question role of revelation . . . Quote "Rock of revelation"
“Jesus in His teachings says, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ [Matthew 16:18.] What rock? Revelation.” ===The President of the Church is appointed to receive revelation from God for the Church; individuals may receive revelation for their own responsibilities. ===
Case of deception and revelation from the wrong source.
//In September 1830 Joseph and Emma Smith moved from Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Fayette, New York. When they arrived, they found that some Saints were being deceived by claims of false revelations:// “To our great grief, … we soon found that Satan had been lying in wait to deceive, and seeking whom he might devour. Brother Hiram Page had in his possession a certain stone, by which he had obtained certain ‘revelations’ concerning the upbuilding of Zion, the order of the Church, etc., all of which were entirely at variance with the order of God’s house, as laid down in the New Testament, as well as in our late revelations. As a conference meeting had been appointed for the 26th day of September, I thought it wisdom not to do much more than to converse with the brethren on the subject, until the conference should meet. Finding, however, that many, especially the Whitmer family and Oliver Cowdery, were believing much in the things set forth by this stone, we thought best to inquire of the Lord concerning so important a matter; and before [the] conference convened, we received the following:
“Revelation to Oliver Cowdery, given at Fayette, New York, September, 1830.
“ ‘… Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him. …
“ ‘And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church; for I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead. …
“ ‘And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me, and that Satan deceiveth him; for, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
“ ‘For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.’ ([ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/28/2-3,6-7,11-13#2][ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/28/2-3,6-7,11-13#2]D&C 28:2–3, 6–7, 11–13[ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/28/2-3,6-7,11-13#2][ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/28/2-3,6-7,11-13#2].) …
“At length our conference assembled. The subject of the stone previously mentioned was discussed, and after considerable investigation, Brother Page, as well as the whole Church who were present, renounced the said stone, and all things connected therewith, much to our mutual satisfaction and happiness.”
“The Presidents or [First] Presidency are over the Church; and revelations of the mind and will of God to the Church, are to come through the Presidency. This is the order of heaven, and the power and privilege of [the Melchizedek] Priesthood. It is also the privilege of any officer in this Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his particular calling and duty in the Church.”[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote13][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote13]13[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote13][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote13]
“… It is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instructions for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom.”[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote14][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote14]14[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote14][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote14]
===The President of the Church conveys the word of God to us for our day and generation. ===
//Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church, reported:// “I will refer to a certain meeting I attended in the town of Kirtland in my early days. At that meeting some remarks were made … with regard to the living oracles and with regard to the written word of God. … A leading man in the Church got up and talked upon the subject, and said: ‘You have got the word of God before you here in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants; you have the written word of God, and you who give revelations should give revelations according to those books, as what is written in those books is the word of God. We should confine ourselves to them.’
“When he concluded, Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, ‘Brother Brigham, I want you to take the stand and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.’ Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the [living] oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ ” ===We sustain the President of the Church and other Church leaders by praying for them and heeding their counsel. ===
//What happened at the recent Solemn assembly? Stand by Quorums to sustain.//
//Joseph Smith recorded that the following occurred at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836:// “I then made a short address, and called upon the several quorums, and all the congregation of Saints, to acknowledge the [First] Presidency as Prophets and Seers, and uphold them by their prayers. They all covenanted to do so, by rising.
“I then called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints to acknowledge the Twelve Apostles, who were present, as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth, holding the keys of the kingdom, to unlock it, or cause it to be done, among them, and uphold them by their prayers, which they assented to by rising.
“I next called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints to acknowledge the presidents of Seventies … and to uphold them by their prayers, which they did by rising. …
Read quotation
“The vote was unanimous in every instance, and I prophesied to all, that inasmuch as they would uphold these men in their several stations, … the Lord would bless them; yea, in the name of Christ, the blessings of heaven should be theirs.”
“Like those who held up the hands of Moses [see Exodus 17:8–13], so let us hold up the hands of those who are appointed to direct the affairs of the Kingdom, so that they may be strengthened, and be enabled to prosecute their great designs, and be instrumental in effecting the great work of the last days.”
Quotation on murmuring while claiming to sustain.
“Now for persons to do things, merely because they are advised to do them, and yet murmur all the time they are doing them, is of no use at all; they might as well not do them. There are those who profess to be Saints who are too apt to murmur, and find fault, when any advice is given, which comes in opposition to their feelings, even when they, themselves, ask for counsel; much more so when counsel is given unasked for, which does not agree with their notion of things; but brethren, we hope for better things from the most of you; we trust that you desire counsel, from time to time, and that you will cheerfully conform to it, whenever you receive it from a proper source.”
Eliza R. Snow recorded: “[Joseph Smith] said, if God has appointed him, and chosen him as an instrument to lead the Church, why not let him lead it through? Why stand in the way when he is appointed to do a thing? Who knows the mind of God? Does He not reveal things differently from what we expect? [The Prophet] remarked that he was continually rising, although he had everything bearing him down, standing in his way, and opposing; notwithstanding all this opposition, he always comes out right in the end. …
“He reproved those that were disposed to find fault with the management of the concerns of the Church, saying God had called him to lead the Church, and he would lead it right; those that undertake to interfere will be ashamed when their own folly is made manifest.”[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote21][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote21]21[ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote21][ http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4c9720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0#footnote21]
===Those who reject the living prophet will not progress and will bring upon themselves the judgments of God. ===
Qoutations - Noah's peers rejected him
“Noah was a perfect man, and his knowledge or revelation of what was to take place upon the earth gave him power to prepare and save himself and family from the destruction of the flood. This knowledge, or revelation, … was not believed by the inhabitants of the earth. They knew Adam was the first man, made in the image of God; that he was a good man; that Enoch walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, and was translated to heaven without tasting death. But they could not endure the new revelation: the old we believe because our fathers did, but away with new revelations. And the flood swept them away. …
“The same principle … was signally manifest among the Jews when the Savior came in the flesh. [They] boasted of the old revelations, garnished the sepulchres of the dead, gave tithes of mint and anise, made long prayers for a pretense, and crossed sea and land to make proselytes, but yet when the new revelation came fresh from the mouth of the great I Am himself, they could not endure it—it was too much. It showed the corruptions of that generation, as others before, and they cried, away with him; crucify him! …
Quotation - there are those unwilling to be taught.
“There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, So far God may reveal and I will believe. …
“It always has been when a man was sent of God with the priesthood and he began to preach the fullness of the gospel, that he was thrust out by his friends, who are ready to butcher him if he teach things which they imagine to be wrong; and Jesus was crucified upon this principle.”
“… When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet. //**False prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones.**//” Suggestions for Study and Teaching ==
Consider these ideas as you study the chapter or as you prepare to teach. For additional help, see pages vii–xii.
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Review the account on pages 193–94, noting how the early Church members felt about the revelations received through Joseph Smith. What are your feelings about the Doctrine and Covenants?
-
Read the fourth paragraph on page 195. Why do you think that “salvation cannot come without revelation”?
-
Review pages 196–97. Why do you think people sometimes
allow themselves to be deceived, as in the story about Hiram Page? What can we do to avoid being deceived by false prophets or false teachings?
-
Review the last two full paragraphs on page 197 and the
paragraph that continues onto page 198. How do we benefit from having only one man who can receive revelations for the entire Church? What experiences can you share in which the Lord has guided you in your specific responsibilities?
-
On pages 198–99, read how Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
responded when a man said we should confine ourselves to the revelations written in the scriptures. What would be missing from your life if you confined yourself to the standard works, without hearing the words of the living prophet? What can we do to follow the spirit of Brigham Young’s counsel?
-
What can we do to uphold the President of the Church and
other Church leaders? (For some examples, see pages 199–200.) What counsel did the President of the Church give in the past general conference? In what ways have you been blessed as you have followed the prophet and other Church leaders?
-
What are some ways in which people reject God’s prophets?
(For some examples, see pages 200–203.) What are some possible consequences of choosing not to follow the counsel of those the Lord has chosen to lead His Church?
//Related Scriptures: //[ http://scriptures.lds.org/prov/29/18#18][ http://scriptures.lds.org/prov/29/18#18]Proverbs 29:18[ http://scriptures.lds.org/prov/29/18#18][ http://scriptures.lds.org/prov/29/18#18]; [ http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/4/8#8][ http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/4/8#8]Jacob 4:8[ http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/4/8#8][ http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/4/8#8]; [ http://scriptures.lds.org/3_ne/28/34#34][ http://scriptures.lds.org/3_ne/28/34#34]3 Nephi 28:34[ http://scriptures.lds.org/3_ne/28/34#34][ http://scriptures.lds.org/3_ne/28/34#34]; [ http://scriptures.lds.org/morm/9/7-9#7][ http://scriptures.lds.org/morm/9/7-9#7]Mormon 9:7–9[ http://scriptures.lds.org/morm/9/7-9#7][ http://scriptures.lds.org/morm/9/7-9#7]; [ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/21/1-6#1][ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/21/1-6#1]D&C 21:1–6[ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/21/1-6#1][ http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/21/1-6#1]
[illustration] “Noah was a perfect man, and his knowledge or revelation of what was to take place upon the earth … was not believed by the inhabitants of the earth.”
====== Readings===
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Articles of Faith 1:9: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”
“We never can comprehend the things of God and of
heaven, but by revelation. We may spiritualize and express opinions to all eternity; but that is no authority.”
“The doctrine of
revelation far transcends the doctrine of no revelation; for one truth revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in existence.”
“Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is
in vain for anyone to minister without it. … No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy see [Revelation 19:10]. Whenever salvation has been administered, it has been by testimony. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.” -
“Jesus
in His teachings says, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ [Matthew 16:18.] What rock? Revelation.” -
“Revelation to Oliver Cowdery, given at Fayette, New York, September, 1830.
“ ‘… Behold, verily, verily, I say unto
thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him. …
“ ‘And
thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church; for I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead. …
“ ‘And again, thou shalt take thy
brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me, and that Satan deceiveth him; for, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
“ ‘For
all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.’ [D&C 28:2–3, 6–7, 11–13.] …
“At length our conference
assembled. The subject of the stone previously mentioned was discussed, and after considerable investigation, Brother Page, as well as the whole Church who were present, renounced the said stone, and all things connected therewith, much to our mutual satisfaction and happiness.” -
“… It
is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instructions for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom.” -
Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church, reported: “I will refer to a certain meeting I attended in the town of Kirtland in my early days. At that meeting some remarks were made … with regard to the living oracles and with regard to the written word of God. … A leading man in the Church got up and talked upon the subject, and said: ‘You have got the word of God before you here in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants; you have the written word of God, and you who give revelations should give revelations according to those books, as what is written in those books is the word of God. We should confine ourselves to them.’
“When he concluded, Brother Joseph turned to Brother
Brigham Young and said, ‘Brother Brigham, I want you to take the stand and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.’ Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the [living] oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ ” -
“The vote was unanimous in every instance, and I prophesied to all, that inasmuch as they would uphold these men in their several stations, … the Lord would bless them; yea, in the name of Christ, the blessings of heaven should be theirs.”
“Like
those who held up the hands of Moses see [Exodus 17:8–13], so let us hold up the hands of those who are appointed to direct the affairs of the Kingdom, so that they may be strengthened, and be enabled to prosecute their great designs, and be instrumental in effecting the great work of the last days.” -
“Now
for persons to do things, merely because they are advised to do them, and yet murmur all the time they are doing them, is of no use at all; they might as well not do them. There are those who profess to be Saints who are too apt to murmur, and find fault, when any advice is given, which comes in opposition to their feelings, even when they, themselves, ask for counsel; much more so when counsel is given unasked for, which does not agree with their notion of things; but brethren, we hope for better things from the most of you; we trust that you desire counsel, from time to time, and that you will cheerfully conform to it, whenever you receive it from a proper source.” -
“Noah was a perfect man, and his knowledge or revelation of what was to take place upon the earth gave him power to prepare and save himself and family from the destruction of the flood. This knowledge, or revelation, … was not believed by the inhabitants of the earth. They knew Adam was the first man, made in the image of God; that he was a good man; that Enoch walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, and was translated to heaven without tasting death. But they could not endure the new revelation: the old we believe because our fathers did, but away with new revelations. And the flood swept them away. …
“The same
principle … was signally manifest among the Jews when the Savior came in the flesh. [They] boasted of the old revelations, garnished the sepulchres of the dead, gave tithes of mint and anise, made long prayers for a pretense, and crossed sea and land to make proselytes, but yet when the new revelation came fresh from the mouth of the great I Am himself, they could not endure it—it was too much. It showed the corruptions of that generation, as others before, and they cried, away with him; crucify him! …
-
“There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, So far God may reveal and I will believe. …
“It always has been when a man was
sent of God with the priesthood and he began to preach the fullness of the gospel, that he was thrust out by his friends, who are ready to butcher him if he teach things which they imagine to be wrong; and Jesus was crucified upon this principle.” -
As a young regional
representative, I was assigned to assist Elder Marion G. Romney in reorganizing a stake. During the long, quiet ride to the conference, our conversation turned to the spiritual dimensions of our assignment. Elder Romney taught me about how the Lord blesses us with revelation. “Robert,” he said, “I have learned that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do.” Elder Romney further explained that we would arrive in the distant city, kneel in prayer, interview priesthood holders, kneel in prayer again, and the Holy Ghost would reveal to us the person whom the Lord had chosen to be the new stake president. He promised me it would be one of the great spiritual experiences of my life, and it was. -
I have learned that prayer
provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, . . . you must study it out in your mind.”5 We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.
Other materials
Maimonides in his work, [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed]The Guide for the Perplexed[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed], outlines twelve modes of prophecy[ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_%28Friedlander%29/Part_II/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLV][ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_%28Friedlander%29/Part_II/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLV][[3] http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_%28Friedlander%29/Part_II/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLV][ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_%28Friedlander%29/Part_II/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLV][ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_%28Friedlander%29/Part_II/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLV] from lesser to greater degree of clarity:
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Inspired actions
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Inspired words
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[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical]Allegorical[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical]
[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream]dream[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream] revelations
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[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory]Auditory[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory]
dream revelations
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Audiovisual dream
revelations/[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human]human[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human] speaker
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Audiovisual dream
revelations/[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelic][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelic]angelic[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelic][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelic] speaker
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Audiovisual dream
revelations/Divine speaker
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Allegorical waking [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_%28spirituality%29][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_%28spirituality%29]vision[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_%28spirituality%29][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_%28spirituality%29]
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Auditory waking revelation
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Audiovisual waking
revelation/human speaker
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Audiovisual waking
revelation/angelic speaker
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Audiovisual waking revelation/Divine speaker (that refers
implicitly to Moses)
Moses Maimonides ([ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_30][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_30]March 30[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_30][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_30], [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1135][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1135]1135[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1135][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1135] [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain][Córdoba, Spain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain] – [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_13][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_13]December 13[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_13][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_13], [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1204][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1204]1204[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1204][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1204] [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fustat][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fustat]Fostat,[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fustat][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fustat] [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt]Egypt[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt]),[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#cite_note-5][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#cite_note-5][[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#cite_note-5][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#cite_note-5][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#cite_note-5] also known as the Rambam, was a [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi]rabbi[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi], [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician]physician[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician], and [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher]philosopher[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher] in [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus]Andalusia[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus], [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco]Morocco[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco] and [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt]Egypt[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt] during the [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages]Middle Ages[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages]. He was the preeminent medieval [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism]Jewish[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism] philosopher, and his ideas also influenced the non-Jewish world.
