*http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/content/ether-4"From these revelations we learn that there are no limitations placed upon any of us. Revelations are not reserved for a limited few or for those called to positions of importance in the Church. It is not position in the Church that confers spiritual gifts. It is not being a bishop, a stake president, or an apostle that makes revelation and salvation available. These are high and holy callings which open the door to the privilege of great service among men. But it is not a call to a special office that opens the windows of revelation to a truth seeker. Rather it is personal righteousness; it is keeping the commandments; it is seeking the Lord while he may be found.
"God is no respecter of persons. He will give revelation to me and to you on the same terms and conditions. I can see what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in the vision of the degrees of glory -- and so can you. I can entertain angels and see God, I can receive an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit -- and so can you." (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, p. 82)
This caught my eye because, too many times, I have heard people discount somebody's spiritual experiences simply because he or she was not the Prophet or an Apostle. Now, I get it, the revelation forming the direction of the Church at large comes through the living Prophet. I do not suggest otherwise. But, I do believe that we would be in grave error to discount a spiritual experience solely because it was revealed to someone other than the Prophet.
My mom, for example, had an experience, many years ago, in which it was revealed to her that a dear friend was pregnant but there was a serious health problem that endangered the friend and the child. My mom called up her friend who went to the doctor, discovered that she was pregnant, and that she did have a medical emergency that endangered her and her baby. Without immediate attention, there would have been serious problems.
Some who have received revelation may be in error in how they report the revelation, but such inexperience does not discount the fact that he or she received revelation. We should be careful how we judge and how we treat those who report such revelation. I'm not suggesting that we accept any reported revelation. I am suggesting that we not be so quick to dismiss because it didn't come through the Prophet and that we be kinder to our fellow brothers and sisters who report such spiritual experiences.