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At the outset I informed them that the sure way to know when a prophet is speaking as a prophet—or whether the statement of the First Presidency concerning who may receive the priesthood or, for that matter, the gospel truth in any statement, teaching, or practice by anybody, or from any source whatever—is by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Since the Holy Ghost reveals gospel truth and since we cannot discern such truth unless he reveals it to us, I am sure we can, with profit, give serious consideration to the manner in which such revelation comes. To begin with, it is comforting to know that all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have had the gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon them. It is also comforting to know that all men may, by obedience to the required principles and ordinances, have the gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon them.

Very early in this dispensation—a year before the Church was organized, in fact—the Lord identified and explained certain, manifestations of the power of the Holy Ghost, which he said was “the spirit of revelation” (D&C 8:2, 3).

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There is much for us to learn in these early revelations. The truths they teach have universal application. They teach us that the Holy Ghost is the spirit of revelation. From them we learn that instruction by the power of the Holy Ghost is indeed a reality. We further learn something about how such instruction is received.

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By consistently seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit of revelation in the manner prescribed in the revelations we have been considering, and living by them, we shall be able to tell when a prophet is speaking as a prophet and correctly understand the statements of the First Presidency of the Church.

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