Questions about Revelation

In this article, Dr. Millet gives us five questions to ask to make sure that personal revelation is in line with doctrine. I have some questions about his questions just meant to provoke thought. His questions are in bold, and my questions are beneath them.

      1.  Is the person claiming the revelation acting within the bounds of his or her respective stewardship?

a.       Was Abinadi acting within the bounds of his priesthood stewardship when he criticized the priests of Noah? Did he possess the correct priesthood position to do such, or was he acting upon revelation?

b.      How about the prophet Amos, who said that “the Lord God will do nothing save he reveal his words to his servants, the prophets”? Did Amos fit within the priesthood hierarchy, or was he criticizing it from without? Is priesthood authority and stewardship necessary to be considered a prophet?

c.       And Lehi? Was he at the head of the priesthood in Jerusalem, or was he criticizing people from without his priesthood stewardship? Doesn’t the Book of Mormon say that there were many other prophets, too, who condemned the people at that time? If the church were ever to be in apostasy today, would God be able to reveal it to those who only have the stewardship, or would he reveal it to those outside of the structure? (look into Denver Snuffer.)

      2.       Is the person receiving the revelation worthy to receive such?

a.       Who judges whether or not someone is worthy? Is anyone ever actually “worthy” before God? 

b.   Have prophets ever done things we now consider to make people unworthy? Did they still receive revelation?

      3.       Is the communication in harmony with the standard works and teachings of the prophets?

a.       Are the standard works and teachings of the prophets as a whole in harmony with each other? Are there any contradictions or discrepancies? What do those teach us about the nature of revelation?

      4.       Does the revelation edify or instruct?

a.       Can untruth edify? Can lies instruct? “Artists use lies to tell the truth…”—V for Vendetta. Is there a difference between revelation and art? 

b.   Do different things edify different people?

      5.       Does the communication build a person’s faith and strengthen commitment?

a.       Is a person’s faith or commitment truly in the right thing? If not, then wouldn't a true revelation alter a person’s faith or commitment?