"different purposes or types of revelation"

Eight Purposes of Revelation.... That was a fascinating little tease of information on page 19 in the June 2012 Ensign and made me want more!!  I'd never seen such a great explanation about types of personal revelation.  Several of the methods listed, in my mind had been answers to prayers but I never thought of them as "different purposes or types of revelation".  I knew they printed just little tidbits in that half page article and also knew that the talk would be pretty good sized being as how it was a devotional talk.  I was eager to read it because I'd never seen that information listed in such order before nor had I read that talk.

There was no being let down!!  He explained in detail about each of the 8 topics and then came the gem of all gems!  It was not printed or mentioned in the Ensign that he had one more thing to say!!   So many times we question the why of asking and not receiving from our pleadings and yearning.  As he said... "Before concluding I will suggest a few ideas about revelations that are not received."  

Ever questioned why you couldn't get an answer to your prayers??

I copied that "not received" section for you below and then where you can access the entire talk.  You will thoroughly enjoy every detail of this address.  He details all 8 topics!!  It's a gem!!!

Dallin H. Oaks was a justice of the Utah Supreme Court when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 29 September 1981.

Revelations Not Received

I have now described eight different purposes or types of revelation: (1) testifying, (2) prophesying, (3) comforting, (4) uplifting, (5) informing, (6) restraining, (7) confirming, and (8) impelling. Each of these refers to revelations that are received. Before concluding I will suggest a few ideas about revelations that are not received.

What about those times when we seek revelation and do not receive it? We do not always receive inspiration or revelation when we request it. Sometimes we are delayed in the receipt of revelation, and sometimes we are left to our own judgment. We cannot force spiritual things. It must be so. Our life’s purpose to obtain experience and to develop faith would be frustrated if our Heavenly Father directed us in every act, even in every important act. We must make decisions and experience the consequences in order to develop self-reliance and faith.

Even in decisions we think very important, we sometimes receive no answers to our prayers. This does not mean that our prayers have not been heard. It only means that we have prayed about a decision which, for one reason or another, we should make without guidance by revelation. Perhaps we have asked for guidance in choosing between alternatives that are equally acceptable or equally unacceptable. I suggest that there is not a right and wrong to every question. To many questions, there are only two wrong answers or two right answers. Thus, a person who seeks guidance on which of two different ways he should pursue to get even with a person who has wronged him is not likely to receive a revelation. Neither is a person who seeks guidance on a choice he will never have to make because some future event will intervene, such as a third alternative that is clearly preferable.

On one occasion, my wife and I prayed earnestly for guidance on a decision that seemed very important. No answer came. We were left to proceed on our own best judgment. We could not imagine why the Lord had not aided us with a confirming or restraining impression. But it was not long before we learned that we did not have to make a decision on that question because something else happened that made a decision unnecessary. The Lord would not guide us in a selection that made no difference.

No answer is likely to come to a person who seeks guidance in choosing between two alternatives that are equally acceptable to the Lord. Thus, there are times when we can serve productively in two different fields of labor. Either answer is right. Similarly, the Spirit of the Lord is not likely to give us revelations on matters that are trivial. I once heard a young woman in testimony meeting praise the spirituality of her husband, indicating that he submitted every question to the Lord. She told how he accompanied her shopping and would not even choose between different brands of canned vegetables without making his selection a matter of prayer. That strikes me as improper. I believe the Lord expects us to use the intelligence and experience he has given us to make these kinds of choices.

When a member asked the Prophet Joseph Smith for advice on a particular matter, the Prophet stated:

It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence: and we feel fearful to approach Him on subjects that are of little or no consequence. [Teachings, p. 22] 

Of course we are not always able to judge what is trivial. If a matter appears of little or no consequence, we can proceed on the basis of our own judgment. If the choice is important for reasons unknown to us, such as the speaking invitation I mentioned earlier or even a choice between two cans of vegetables when one contains a hidden poison, the Lord will intervene and give us guidance.

When a choice will make a real difference in our lives—obvious or not—and when we are living in tune with the Spirit and seeking his guidance, we can be sure we will receive the guidance we need to attain our goal. The Lord will not leave us unassisted when a choice is important to our eternal welfare.

I know that God lives and that revelation to his children is a reality. I pray that we will be worthy and willing, and that he will bless us to grow in this principle of revelation. I bear you my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6846&x=42&y=7