Personal Revelation

God hath not revealed anything to Joseph [Smith], but what He will make known unto the Twelve [Apostles], and even the least Saint [you and me] may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them.--

Joseph Fielding Smith, the 10th prophet in the Latter Days.

Just how important is it that this statement is true?

Here are a couple of thougths on the subject.

If this statement is not true, then what we call testimony must be based on borrowed light, and faith is placed in a person, rather than Jesus Christ. While it is not uncommon to lean on another's testimony while you develop your own, it will not sustain you indefinitely. At some point, you must ask of God to know for yourself, just as Joseph did when he retired to the grove. Hope must yield to faith.

If this statement is true, then we become acutely accountable for all that we do. We become accountable for living our lives in a manner in which the spirit can speak to us. We must seek humility and seek our Father in Heaven with a broken heart and an contrite spirit. We must develop our faith, sufficient to approach our Father in Heaven in a spirit of repentance and seek his sanctifying power. We must do all that we can, to keep his commandments. We must serve those who stand in need of service. As we read and study the scriptures we will need to pray to our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our mediator, to increase our understanding. When our leaders speak, it is our responsibility to petiton our Heavenly Father to gain a confirmation that what was taught was true. Ask and ye shall receive, according to Boyd K. Packer, is one of the most oft referenced phrases in the Standard Works.

If personal revelation is not a true doctrine, then all that we have becomes unhinged. Revelation is to our spirit like blood is to the body. Without it, we become spiritually dead and we deny the power of our faith.