In September 1830, Joseph Smith received a revelation after a member of the Church, Hiram Page, professed to be receiving revelations concerning the upbuilding of Zion and the order of the Church from a certain stone. Several members had been deceived by these claims.
See Section 28.T
At the October 1989 general conference, Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and now second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of revelation and the fact that only the Lord's prophets receive it for the direction of the Church.Elder Faust spoke of God's communication to all His children through prophets, as distinguished from personal revelation received by individuals. "The prophets, seers, and revelators have had and still have the responsibility and privilege of receiving and declaring the word of God for the world," he said. "Individual members, parents, and leaders have the right to receive revelation for their own responsibility but have no duty nor right to declare the word of God beyond the limits of their own responsibility. . . . "
Elder Faust said revelations have come by different means, including by the guidance of the Holy Ghost, perhaps most common; by the spoken word; and by visits from holy messengers.
"The greatest revelator in our time has been Joseph Smith," Elder Faust said. "In the difficult period between 1823 and 1843, just twenty years, 134 revelations were received, printed, and made public."
Further, Elder Faust declared: "I do not believe members of this Church can be in full harmony with the Savior without sustaining His living prophet on the earth, the President of the Church. If we do not sustain the living prophet, whoever he may be, we die spiritually. Ironically, some have died spiritually by exclusively following prophets who have long been dead. Others equivocate in their support of living prophets, trying to lift themselves up by putting down the living prophets, however subtly."
Each member's spiritual safety, Elder Faust pointed out, lies in paying heed to that which the Church president says and following his counsel.
"Revelation was required to establish this Church," President Faust noted. "Revelation has brought it from its humble beginnings to its present course. Revelation has come like flowing, living water. Continuing revelation will lead it forward to the windup scene. But as President [J. Reuben] Clark told us, we do not need more or different prophets. We need more people with `a listening ear.' " (President Clark's quote was at the October 1948 general conference.)
