This letter is specifically to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who have ever told anyone that the revelation that they received was wrong:
Being 25 and single and living in an area where most women are married by 23 I have gotten my fair share of advice. This advice ranges from being okay with where you are to things to do to get married. Don't get me wrong, giving advice is not what this letter is about. Relating to others and giving them advice from your own experiences can be very helpful. Instead, this letter is when advice goes too far, specifically when people indicate that they are right and you are wrong in regards to things in your own life.
The example that I am thinking of comes with online dating. It has been suggested to me upwards of what feels like a thousand times to try online dating, but I have felt very, very strongly that I am not meant to do online dating. You suggesting online dating to me does not bother me. Online dating is a great suggestion and many people have found their spouses through it. But, after I tell you that I have received very clear revelation to not do online dating and you tell me that revelation was wrong, you have gone too far.
Perhaps, this is a bad example, after all I have not had too many people argue with me with online dating. Most people agree that it sucks. However, recently I was told a story from another single 25-year-old woman. She informed me that her aunt had told her that the reason she was not married was because she didn't serve a mission. When the single woman informed her that she had received revelation to not serve a mission, she was told to reconsider that revelation.
Don't do that. Your advice is welcome, but do not argue with when people have told you that they have received contradictory revelation. You do not know best! God knows best! Do you know who else was told to reconsider revelation? Joseph Smith, and now we don't have the Book of Lehi.
When you negate revelation, you are mocking that person's choice to trust their God. You are showing a lack of sympathy and tact. And further more, you are ignoring the fact that everyone is on an individualized path.
Truth of the matter is there is no sure fire way to ensure that you get a husband by the age of 25. There are many people who have been online dating for years and are still not married as well as married people who never did online dating. There are also many women who served full time missions and are unmarried as well as women who didn't serve missions who got married. The only thing that we can do that is guaranteed is trust God and follow where He leads us. If we are doing that, we are on the right path, but that is not going to look the same for everyone.
You cannot receive revelation for other people unless they are under your jurisdiction. You can receive revelation of how to help other people or what to say to other people, but you cannot receive revelation for other people. So, the next time someone tells you that they are not doing something that you believe is good and right because they received revelation not to, commend them on their trust in God and let it go.
Sincerely,
Ashley
