Despite revelation being such a foundational part of the Restoration, there is very little written about how to have ethical and responsible revelation. Since the gift of revelation is one that is given to all, it is especially pressing that this education be obtained.
The inability to determine what an ethical revelation looks like has led to some hurtful and downright violent acts to be done in the name of the Divine within Mormonism. Our founder, Joseph Smith Jr., also fell prey to his baser instincts and wielded revelation as a means to obtain what he wanted. For example:
- He told Martin Harris to sell his home to fund the Book of Mormon printing, and Harris was left without a home when the Book of Mormon was not a commercial success.
- He prevented everyone else from having revelations except him
- He claimed the Kirtland Safety Society was Divinely ordained (1) (2)
- He used revelation to get his followers to build him a mansion
- He used revelation to send husbands away so he could also use revelation to coerce their wives into marrying him.
Outside of our founder it has also been used for nefarious purposes, such as:
- W. Wallace Smith’s revelation that called non-monogamous families inherently sinful (CoC D&C 150)
- The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ’s revelation which non-consensually dissolved sealings between consenting adults and may have contributed to a suicide.
- Thomas S. Monson / Russell M. Nelson’s revelation to enact the November Policy of Exclusion of LGBT people and their children which absolutely led to suicides.
- Ron Lafferty’s revelation to murder his sister-in-law and infant niece
This may sound like I don’t care for revelation; on the contrary I have written quite a few revelations and adore many that others have written. However, our tradition has clearly illustrated that the gift of revelation can be abused in the most horrific ways. This makes the need for an education on ethical and responsible revelation even more pressing.
I would like to propose several things to keep in mind when writing your own revelations:
- Check motives: before writing your revelation, ask yourself why you are doing so. Revelation should never be used as a tool to claim dominion over another, as all people have access to the heavens and they can seek revelation for themselves. Instead, revelation should be a way of building community, helping all lead fulfilling lives, and be inclusive.
- Invite community discernment: Share your drafts with your friends, and ask for their feedback. Allowing the community to take part in the revelatory process is a form of common consent. Welcome and accept insights, critiques, and revisions with humility.
- Root in Tradition and Service: Our tradition is full of spiritual leaders – including and especially Jesus – who have conveyed many wise things to us. The best of what they have created centers the vulnerable and is anchored in service. See if your revelation does this as well.
- Consider the fruits: Consider how your revelation will impact the community. Will it help people along their spiritual path, or will it create road blocks? Does it strengthen, comfort, and uplift others, or does it degrade and control others?
- Understand scope: Your revelation, by definition, is a conceptual special revelation, and it is inseparably the product of you and your time period and culture. While it may be meaningful to you it may not be to everyone. Honor people’s diversity of experience and belief.
- Brevity: 2nd Nephi teaches “my soul delighteth in plainness: for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding: for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.”, and it would be wise if your revelations did the same. If the message could be conveyed more concisely, explore doing so.
- Know the facts: Having a revelation that the sky is actually purple does not make it so. Likewise, if you are unfamiliar with things such as Mesoamerican archeology, don’t claim that you do through revelation. It is important to speak on things which are true and you have knowledge about.
- Consider your mental health: Revelation – like any creative or intuitive process – is influenced by your mental and emotional state. If you are in a period of crisis, exhaustion, or instability, what feels like inspiration may be more about processing your own stress than offering something helpful for others. Pay attention to your well-being, and if needed, take time away from religion and spirituality to rest, reflect, or seek professional support. A healthy mind is better able to produce guidance for your community that is clear, constructive, and less likely to cause harm.
- Be honest when revising: If you put your revelation out there for people to read and then modify it later, that is perfectly acceptable, but you should note what changes you made to it.
These are the minimum ethical considerations to keep in mind when writing and claiming revelation. Beginning here will not prevent all abuses, but it will help mitigate the worst impulses and direct the revelation toward healing rather than harm.
If you feel called to write revelation, remember that you are claiming to give voice to Divinity on earth. To take up this calling is an act of profound courage and the birthright of the Restoration, but it is also an act of grave responsibility. When revelation is used to dominate, coerce, or deceive, it becomes the very definition of taking God’s name in vain. When it is rooted in humility, compassion, and service, however, revelation can be one of the greatest blessings our tradition offers.
The Restoration has shown us both the perils and the possibilities of special revelation. Let us choose the latter. May we be a people who approach revelation with care, who honor the Spirit’s voice without weaponizing it, and who use this gift to comfort, to liberate, and to build Zion among us.