Fasting, Inspiration, & Revelation

I read Elder Scott's talk from Conference titled, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration For Your Personal Life".  This talk was specifically for me. Well, this talk was one of many that were for me!!   I have struggled most of my life with this topic.  I don't know why, my Mom says that "I have a gift" for things like that.  I don't see think so, and think she is generous and perhaps a bit biased.  That said it has been my personal mission to try and receive, decipher, hear, understand, and act on promptings and receive revelation and inspiration.  Sadly or more importantly I never understood the difference....until Elder Scott's talk.  Just in case I'm not the only one Here is a quote from His talk,

"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal jouney.  When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation.  When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration."   There you have it.  Now I understand the difference. 

Another important thing he talked about was dreams as a form of revelation.  I seem to tend to this at times in my life.  I have had dreams that I knew were revelation but questioned that because in the dream the person in it....ie a Bishop or Stake Pres.  was no longer the Bishop or Stake Pres. in my dream.  So it couldn't have been significant or prophetic dream right?.... Here's another quote that answered another question, "Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness.  If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly.  Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire  experience.  The Lord USES INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT TO TEACH US TRUTHS IN A DREAM BECAUSE WE TRUST THEM AND WILL LISTEN TO THEIR COUNSEL.  It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost.  However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect."  

That explains SO much for me.  So when I finished listening, and reading and re-reading his talk I knew I had to do the things he talked about doing.  One includes fasting properly......I don't fast very well.  It's a weakness of mine.  On Sunday, when it should be noted that I was fasting for revelation and inspiration, I thought I need to write a talk on Fasting.  Why you ask?  I have no idea....I don't really want to.  I just had a feeling that I should.  Writing a talk isn't what I do for fun but it wouldn't leave my mind So I sat down and started gathering my thoughts, I even wrote some things down.  I quit though because I'm really trying to buckle down and get some things organized for the move coming up.  Then it occured to me.  Perhaps this was a prompting/inspiration....but why?  Why would I need to write a talk now about a specific topic?  The first answer is because I need it.  Joy I thought....yet another weakness to work on.  Then today I felt the real reason I needed to start writing.  The Lord knows me.  When he inspires me to do things or when there is change or something difficult for me He usually gives me advanced notice.  A calling that is going to really challenge me, a move that is going to twist my insides and make me a different better person, etc.  This one is no different.  We are going to be moving.  What happens when the Bishop knows that you are moving?  For me this means I get to give a talk....when will I have time to prepare that talk?  Not much if it's around the time right before we leave or after we get to the new place we are going.....so, maybe the Bishop is going to ask us to speak.  I don't know but either way whether it's because of my weakness or because He is preparing me to give a talk I'm thankful for inspiration and revelation.  Neither of which I'm proficient at receiving, understanding or acting upon yet, but it's my goal to be able to.  I realize that this may take a lifetime but how else do you take the Holy Spirit for your guide?  If I'm going to raise spiritual giants I'm going to need the help of the Holy Ghost constantly.  If I"m going to protect them from evil and teach them to rely on the Holy Ghost I better be doing it myself....I have a BIG job ahead of me...
...and if I'm asked to speak and the Bishop says fasting is the topic, I'm going have myself a little chuckle and be grateful for inspiration.  And if not, I'll know more about fasting and maybe be better at it.