This is actually three separate revelations that were combined as one section for publication. There had been much discussion about Hiram Page's stone and the "revelations" he received through it. David Whitmer was especially deceived by it and so we find him being chastised by the Lord for his accepting directions from someone the Lord had not called. His disobedience had several factors that were listed in the revelation. Each of these factors is a reminder to me of the importance of following the Spirit, following the counsel of the Lord's anointed leaders, and not worrying about what the world or people think of what we believe. The Lord tells David that what brought about his problems were his (1) fear of man, (2) his concentrating on the things of the world more than on the Lord, (3) His failure to give heed to the promptings of the Spirit, and (4) His failure to follow those who the Lord had authorized to be his servants. As a result of this, the Lord says he was "left to inquire for [himself]." To me, this means that in all of questioning, he was left without the Spirit to try to find truth and that just isn't possible. Not finding it through the sources he should, he turned to other sources that were false. What he should have done was respected the Lord more than people, kept his focus on the Lord instead of worldly things, listened to and followed the Spirit, and followed the counsel of the Lord's servants.
I firmly believe that the best way to to narrow the distance between ourselves and the Lord is, to immerse ourselves in the scriptures. President Kimball promised that if we do this: "The distance narrows between ourselves and our Father in Heaven. Our spirituality shines brighter. We love more intensely those whom we should love. It is much easier to follow counsel. The lessons of life our learned more readily and surely."
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