The knowledge and spiritual conviction we receive from the Holy

David A. Bednar, a teacher of faith and disciple of truth, once spoke with sacred clarity: “The knowledge and spiritual conviction we receive from the Holy Ghost are the result of revelation.” In these words lies a mystery, ancient and eternal. For knowledge, when born of mortal reasoning alone, is limited, fragile, and shifting like sand. But when light descends from heaven, when the Holy Ghost whispers to the heart, that knowledge is no longer mere opinion, no longer fleeting thought—it becomes revelation, truth sealed by God Himself, unshakable and eternal.

The origin of this wisdom rests deep within scripture and the testimony of prophets. From the days of old, men and women who sought the divine found that reason could carry them far, but not into the holy presence of truth. Moses did not reason his way to the burning bush; Paul did not debate his way into the vision on the road to Damascus. These moments were not human inventions, but revelations—the voice of God breaking through the veil of mortality, giving knowledge and conviction that could not be denied. Bednar, echoing this tradition, reminds us that true spiritual knowledge comes not from clever words, but from heaven’s light.

History offers luminous examples. Consider the story of Joseph Smith, a young boy confused by the strife of many churches. His mind wrestled with questions, but his reasoning alone could not resolve the matter. In prayer, he sought wisdom, and what came was not the conclusion of logic, but the fire of revelation. He beheld a vision that changed his life and shook the world. In this, we see Bednar’s truth: spiritual conviction is the fruit of revelation, not the invention of man.

This principle is echoed also in the life of Joan of Arc. A peasant girl with no education, she did not learn of armies or politics from books, nor did she persuade herself into courage by argument. She testified that voices sent by God gave her the conviction to lead France in her darkest hour. Though she could not explain in terms of scholars, her spiritual conviction, born of what she believed to be divine revelation, carried her with strength greater than generals. It was not opinion that drove her, but the unshakable fire of something revealed.

The meaning of Bednar’s teaching is both humbling and ennobling. We live in an age of much information, but little certainty; much noise, but little truth. Facts change, theories shift, opinions collide. Yet knowledge given by revelation does not sway with the winds. It carries with it a conviction so deep that no storm can wash it away. Such knowledge binds heart and mind together, making the believer not merely informed, but transformed.

The lesson for us is clear: seek not only to reason, but to receive. Cultivate humility, that the voice of the Spirit may be heard. In prayer, in scripture, in silence, open your heart to the whisper of the Holy Ghost. For it is not always in thunder that revelation comes, but often in a still small voice. When it comes, treasure it, for it is more than knowledge—it is divine assurance, spiritual certainty that lights the path of life.

Practical steps can guide this pursuit. Begin each day with prayer, asking not only for blessings but for light. Search holy words with a mind willing to be taught. Reflect in silence, allowing impressions of the Spirit to rest upon you. Record them, honor them, and act upon them. For revelation is not given to the idle, but to those who listen and obey. As Bednar teaches, the Holy Ghost bestows knowledge and conviction upon those who prepare their hearts to receive it.

So let his words be remembered: “The knowledge and spiritual conviction we receive from the Holy Ghost are the result of revelation.” Hold fast to this truth. For in a world of uncertainty, revelation is the anchor of the soul; in a world of shadows, it is the light that never fails. Seek it, cherish it, and live by it—and you shall walk not only in knowledge, but in divine conviction that endures forever.