If there is one divine source, how can there be multiple conflicting messages?

Many people have beliefs and insights that lead to life values and decisions. But how can people have contradictory "remarkable epiphanies" if there's only one divine source?

Suppose we answer this question by first assuming there is a God who is able and willing to communicate/guide all of his children. A big presumption of course, but important for exploring the question of apparently conflicting "remarkable epiphanies."

A traditional Mormon view of someone who had a revelation that contradicted the Mormon view might lead to the presumption they had been deceived. The Holy Ghost would only lead towards more light, not away from it.

But there's a problem with this, because it then makes every "remarkable epiphany" wrong if it contradicts yours. Some will say we should call on the scriptures for clarification, but even within the Mormon faith tradition there are divergent strands based on the same sources (scripture and spirit). Even the brethren disagree and reach conflicting conclusions.

So does that simply mean that the opening assumption is wrong? The fact that people receive "remarkable epiphanies" that contradict means it really is "all in our head" and there is in fact no God. Or at least not one that communicates with His creations. Are we little more than the apes, but with a little more intelligence. Perhaps still created by a supreme being, but left in isolation to work through our turn on earth unaccompanied.

I can't accept that conclusion either (even though I recognise I reached that conclusion through my own personal, subjective "remarkable epiphanies").

So I reach a different one. I believe in a God that communicates and guides. I believe in a God that is such a perfect teacher that every one of His children has a personalised curriculum. Perhaps even personalised in part by the student not the teacher.

My children moved from an elementary school of 30 per class with one teacher and a fixed curriculum (optimised for the majority but imperfect for all of them) to a school with maximum class sizes of 12 children, 2 teachers per class and a personalised 'student lead learning' approach to the curriculum.

Given God's omnipotence, he goes one step further. While keeping us in a setting of interaction with other students he offers a ratio of 1 student:1 teacher and a fully personalised curriculum. Even within Mormonism we are reminded to not run faster than we have strength, line upon line etc. 'Cafeteria Mormonism' has become a dirty word. But I certainly see and embrace plenty of 'personally adapted Mormonism.' And it works best that way.

My wife is not active and no longer considers herself Mormon. She would go as far to say she is a 'non-believer' in any interactive deity. Certainly Mormonism's understanding of such.

And here's the strange reality I've come to terms with and am trying to help her extended family to accept: she is tangibly better off that way. Emotionally, socially, spiritually. Her life has changed for the better because she has left Mormonism. She is certainly more able to be a 2+2 or 5+5 student and is more 'sheep' than 'goat' in her treatment of others (see Matt 25). Some may point out that there is another parable in the chapter and may assume she is foolish not wise. From my perspective her lamp is well trimmed and she is not short of oil. Although she may not use the same name, she still knows the master. And what, after all, is in a name?

So would God give people "remarkable epiphanies" that contradict? Yes, I'm very comfortable that he would.

Full shelf, but perhaps not much more to go on

I had an 'ahah moment' of my own a while back. I was reading through the John Dehlin research and it listed all the historical things that might be causing people to leave. I got to the end of the list and thought, wow, I know all those and I've not left. It was odd to realise that I might be reaching the end of the line/bottom of the barrel.

My mental shelf is very full. It still creaks from time to time. Occasionally something new comes to mind, but I wonder if there's anything waiting to be found that will provide the final straw that breaks my camel back. But maybe there is. Who knows.

In the end I realise there's enough to justify leaving but insufficient to make staying untenable. In the end, I choose. And that's sometimes a strange feeling. Maybe most religious and philosophical viewpoints are that way by design. Enough to let you choose for yourself and not enough to close all other options off to you. Nothing perfect, but lots of working options. Vehicles for the same path. Fit for purpose.