Personal Revelation: Early Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints vs Today’s Formality’s

One of the most beautiful aspects of early Mormonism was the emphasis on personal revelation — the idea that God speaks directly to His children, not just to prophets or leaders. Joseph Smith himself was a living example of this. As a teenage boy, he prayed sincerely, seeking wisdom from God, and was answered.
The message was clear: God will answer the sincere seeker.

Joseph Smith’s Teachings

Joseph once taught:

“It is the privilege of the children of God to come to God and get revelation.”
— History of the Church, 3:379

He emphasized that all members had the right to revelation for their own lives, their families, and their stewardships. No one had to go through a bishop, stake president, or general authority to access God’s guidance. It was a direct relationship — personal, sacred, and real.

In fact, Joseph warned against leaders trying to control revelation:

“It is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church… to receive instruction for those in authority, higher than themselves.”
— Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 21

In other words, God would not send revelation for your life through someone else without also confirming it directly to you.

The Shift: From Empowered Individuals to Controlled Messaging

Today, however, personal revelation is often qualified and filtered:

• Members are taught that their personal revelations must “align with the teachings of the Brethren.”
• If someone feels inspired to believe or do something outside of institutional norms, it is often labeled as “apostasy,” “deception,” or “pride.”
• Leaders are upheld as the ultimate arbiters of truth, and members are warned not to “trust their own inspiration” if it conflicts with official statements.

This shift flips the original pattern upside down.
Where once the invitation was to seek God directly — even if it challenged human authority — today the culture pressures members to defer to leadership first, and question their own spiritual experiences if they don’t match the approved narrative.

The Spiritual Cost

The practical result of this shift has been heartbreaking:

• Many faithful individuals feel disconnected from their own spiritual intuition.
• Instead of developing a confident, living relationship with Christ, members are taught to develop loyalty to an institution.
• When institutional leaders are wrong (and they have been, historically — think of issues like racism in priesthood bans, polygamy, LGBTQ+ policies), members are left spiritually confused and wounded.

Instead of a vibrant personal walk with God, many members live in quiet fear — afraid to trust their own hearts, their own prayers, or their own inspiration.

This is the opposite of what Christ taught:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27

Notice: Christ’s voice is direct to the sheep.
Not filtered through layers of bureaucracy.

A Call to Return

Imagine a Mormonism that returned to this original, Christlike model:

• Trusting that God speaks to His children personally.
• Encouraging individuals to seek and act on their own inspiration — even when it leads to difficult questions.
• Allowing members to grow spiritually without fear of institutional punishment.

That kind of faith would be truly liberating.
That kind of faith would be truly Christian.

Why a Direct Relationship with God is Vital — More Than an Institution

1. Personal Connection with God vs. Following a Proxy

A direct relationship with God means that you are the one communicating with Him, not relying on someone else (like a bishop, a leader, or even a church) to mediate your connection. Just as Jesus Christ invited people to come to Him directly (Matthew 11:28-30), the same invitation extends to us today.

God is a personal being who knows you better than anyone else. He is the One who understands your unique struggles, joys, and desires. When you communicate with Him directly, you don’t need to go through anyone else to hear from Him. Your conversations with God can be as personal as you need them to be. The more you build that relationship, the more you can sense His presence, guidance, and peace.

2. Spiritual Empowerment Over Dependence

When you rely on a direct connection with God, you become spiritually empowered. You’re not simply receiving answers from someone else’s authority; you are receiving answers from the Source — the Creator, who will guide you according to your needs and circumstances. A relationship with God builds confidence in your own spiritual discernment and trust in your own journey with Him.

Relying on a human intermediary — even a well-intentioned one — can limit your ability to grow spiritually. When you rely only on a church or an institution for spiritual direction, you may begin to seek their approval or validation rather than seeking God’s will for your life. This can inadvertently stifle your own connection with God, leading to dependence rather than empowerment.

3. A Relationship Rooted in Grace, Not Fear

In a direct relationship with God, grace becomes the foundation of your walk with Him. You are invited into a relationship because God loves you, not because you fulfill a set of rules or obligations. A church, however, often emphasizes adherence to strict rules or norms to be accepted or validated.

When your relationship with God is grounded in grace, you can approach Him freely, without fear. You’re free to make mistakes, learn, and grow without being judged by a human institution. You are loved unconditionally, and that love draws you to want to become better — not because of fear, but because of a desire to follow His example.

4. Clarity and Purpose in Your Life

A direct relationship with God gives you personal guidance that is tailored to your life and circumstances. When you pray, study scriptures, and listen for God’s voice, He can give you clarity on difficult decisions, life challenges, and your purpose. He will speak to you in ways that are meaningful and specific to you.

When the church becomes the mediator of your connection with God, it can sometimes overshadow the very personal, intimate guidance that God offers each of us. No earthly institution can fully understand the intricacies of your life, your heart, or your dreams like God can. Only He knows what will bring you peace and fulfillment. This is the power of having a direct connection with Him.

5. Growth in Faith, Not Performance

A relationship with God helps you to focus on growing in faith, rather than simply meeting institutional expectations. When your relationship with God is direct, you’re not constantly seeking approval from others — you are focused on becoming closer to Him and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Churches, while often a source of community and support, can sometimes foster a performance-based faith. It becomes about attending meetings, fulfilling callings, paying tithing, or keeping up appearances. A relationship with God is different; it’s about genuinely desiring to serve, love, and grow as He would have you do, independent of external pressure.

6. Freedom to Seek Truth

A direct relationship with God allows you the freedom to ask tough questions, wrestle with difficult doubts, and seek the truth — without fear of punishment or judgment from others. God doesn’t shy away from your questions; He welcomes them and will answer in His time, in ways that are tailored to you.

Institutions can sometimes become guardians of truth, but they may not always have all the answers — and sometimes they may be wrong. A direct relationship with God allows you to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), seek His truth for yourself, and grow in understanding as He reveals it to you.

Conclusion:

While a church can provide a wonderful community, support, and opportunities for growth, nothing can replace the direct relationship with God that each of us is invited to have. This relationship empowers you to walk with Christ, receive personal guidance, experience His grace, and grow in faith. It’s not about being perfect or following a set of rules; it’s about developing an intimate, genuine, personal connection with the One who loves you most.

Remember, there will not be a “CHURCH” in the afterlife. Our worship will be directly with Jesus Christ. If you do not have that type of relationship with Him now, can you imagine the disadvantage you will have when your relationship changes from church to Christ in the next life?

Ultimately, God desires you to know Him personally — not just through an institution, but through a living, breathing relationship where He speaks directly to your heart.

📜 Personal revelation is not a backup plan — it is God’s first language with His children.

🕊️ Remember:
God did not send His Son so that we could have middlemen between us and heaven.
He came so that “whosoever will” could come boldly to the throne of grace.
(Hebrews 4:16)

You don’t need permission to seek Jesus.
You don’t need approval to hear His voice.
You are already invited — personally, directly, lovingly.