Seek to obtain my word

Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 11:21

There are times when individuals are inspired to speak words that are new, original to them, words they had not intended to deliver and even ideas they had never before considered. Most of the time, however, the Lord through his Spirit draws forth from us those things which we have previously studied, learned, and understood. The Savior taught at the Last Supper that “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). One of the great keys to individual revelation is institutional revelation- scriptures and the words of living prophets. The more we immerse ourselves in holy writ, the more readily our thoughts, our feelings, and our speech are directed by the word and will of the Almighty. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 42)