Elder John A. McCune, a General Authority Seventy, spoke about revelation at the final BYU devotional of the Fall 2025 semester in the Marriott Center on Dec 9.
McCune began by sharing that each of us is an agent to act for ourselves.
“Too often, we see God’s children sitting still, anxiously waiting for every part of their life to be clearly laid out in detail before making any decisions. If you have done all you can to receive an answer and it hasn’t yet come, it is often best to just make the most informed and righteous decision you can, and to just keep your feet moving,” McCune said.
He related inaction to driving a stagnant car. Though one may be turning the wheel, the car will not go anywhere. When receiving revelation, McCune shared that one should continue forward and often will recognize how they were guided when looking back.
McCune continued that revelation could come through many ways and will be unique for everyone.
“We should never compare ourselves and our spiritual journey with others, particularly when it comes to receiving revelation. As unique sons and daughters of God, the way God communicates with us can be uniquely ours,” McCune said.
McCune shared that revelation requires work and effort.
“We often have to put out great effort to find answers to life’s perplexing questions,” he said.
He continued and said personal worthiness and righteousness help in efforts to receive revelation.
“In striving to be worthy, we can spend all our time and energy chasing away the ‘bad’ in our lives. This could be unrighteous habits, influences, or media,” McCune said.
He quoted Luke 11:24-26, sharing how it is just as important to fill one's life with good things as it is to work at keeping bad influences out.
McCune addressed the importance of waiting on the Lord's timing in receiving revelation. He shared an experience from President Oaks' time as president of BYU when the university was inviting the President of the United States to visit.
The university was willing to place everything on hold and accommodate the US President's schedule, no matter what.
McCune said, “I would suggest that our Heavenly Father’s reason for reserving the timing and conditions for revelation has everything to do with his perfect love for us and perfect understanding of our eternal progression and potential.”
McCune concluded that Heavenly Father wants His children to receive communication from Him through revelation.
“Through revelation, we can navigate the challenging courses of our mortal lives. We can be blessed to know of the mysteries of God’s Kingdom or simply those things that can only come through revelation,” McCune said.
McCune ended with his witness that revelation can bring joy and peace.