A Three‑Part Witness of Who Can Receive Revelation
Short Answer: Everyone
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“God speaks to all who seek Him.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”
President Henry B. Eyring
“Your faith can open the channels of revelation.”
President Russell M. Nelson
“You can receive revelation for your life.”
"And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned."
1. “He imparteth his word by angels unto
men, yea, not only men but women also.”
Cross‑reference word: not
Scriptures:
"¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
What this teaches us
Revelation is not restricted.
God does not limit His voice to one group, one role, or one gender.
Joel prophesies that sons and daughters, old and young, servants and handmaids all receive the Spirit’s outpouring. But, action in our faith, must couple with our beliefs for God to fulfill this promise.
How this answers our question
We learn that revelation belongs to all of us—men and women alike—because God’s covenant invitations are never narrow.
2. “Now this is not all; little children do have
words given unto them many times”
Cross‑reference word: children
Scriptures:
"¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
"¶ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight."
🗝 "And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter.
"And it came to pass that after he had ascended into heaven—the second time that he showed himself unto them, and had gone unto the Father, after having healed all their sick, and their lame, and opened the eyes of their blind and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and even had done all manner of cures among them, and raised a man from the dead, and had shown forth his power unto them, and had ascended unto the Father—
"Behold, it came to pass on the morrow that the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that there should not any man write them."
"I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."
What this teaches us
Jesus rejoices that the Father reveals things to “babes.”
Nephi records children speaking marvelous things that could not be written.
Joseph Smith teaches that the hearts of children are part of the welding link of revelation across generations.
How this answers our question
Revelation is not reserved for the experienced or the educated.
We must never assume that age determines spiritual capacity.
God speaks to children—and sometimes their clarity surpasses ours.
3. “which confound the wise and the learned.”
Cross‑reference word: confound
Scripture:
"To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight."
What this teaches us
The Lord uses the simple, the humble, and the unexpected to overturn pride.
Revelation is not earned by intellect; it is received by yielding hearts.
How this answers our question
Revelation is given in ways that remind us that God—not human expertise—is the source of light.
Those who rely solely on learning may miss what the meek receive.
Unified Answer:
Who Can Receive Revelation?
According to Alma 32:23 and its scriptural witnesses:
▪︎ Men and women
▪︎ Little children
▪︎ The humble who are not considered “wise”
by the world
▪︎ All of us who soften our hearts and believe
Revelation is not an elite privilege.
It is a universal gift from a Father who desires to speak to every one of us.
Doctrinal support from modern day prophets.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“God speaks to all who seek Him.”
(“The Love of God,” Oct. 2009)
President Uchtdorf affirms the universality of divine communication. Revelation is not restricted by age, background, education, or circumstance. It is available to every sincere seeker.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”
(“Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You,” Apr. 2016)
While not a direct statement on revelation, Elder Holland’s teaching reinforces that God is actively involved in our lives — a truth that presupposes His willingness to guide, comfort, and reveal His will to each of us.
President Henry B. Eyring
“Your faith can open the channels of revelation.”
(“Continuing Revelation,” Oct. 2014)
President Eyring reinforces that revelation is not limited to a select few. It flows wherever faith and humility are present — meaning we can all receive it as we act in trust.
President Russell M. Nelson
“You can receive revelation for your life.”
(“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Apr. 2018)
President Nelson teaches that personal revelation is not optional or rare — it is the birthright of every covenant disciple. His prophetic emphasis confirms that all of us can and must learn to hear the Lord.
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