diff --git a/doc/emacs/custom.texi b/doc/emacs/custom.texi
index 33c1c1b707d..f7ad5bf108a 100644
--- a/doc/emacs/custom.texi
+++ b/doc/emacs/custom.texi
@@ -3106,42 +3106,50 @@ Gather and activate autoload cookies.  This means that you can use
 autoloaded commands and other entry points for the files in your
 @code{user-lisp-directory} without explicitly loading any of the
 files in your initialization file. (@pxref{Autoload,,, elisp, The
-Emacs Lisp Reference Manual})
+Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.)
 @item
 Byte-compile all files, and if supported on your system, natively
 compile them too.  This speeds up the execution of the code in the
 files when they are loaded.  (@pxref{Byte Compilation,,, elisp, The
-Emacs Lisp Reference Manual})
+Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.)
 @item
 Adjust @code{load-path} such that all the files can be loaded and
 autoloaded in the usual ways.  (@pxref{Library Search,,, elisp, The
-Emacs Lisp Reference Manual})
+Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.)
 @end itemize
 
-  Keep in mind that as the User Lisp directory is processed at startup,
-before loading the @ref{Init File} file, adjustment have to be made in
-your early-init file (@pxref{Early Init File}).
+  The User Lisp directory is processed before loading the @ref{Init
+File} file.  Therefore any customizations to the user options discussed
+below must be made in your early init file (@pxref{Early Init File}) in
+order to have any effect.
 
 @vindex user-lisp-ignored-directories
 @vindex user-lisp-auto-scrape
 @findex prepare-user-lisp
   By default, Emacs considers all Lisp files within
-@code{user-lisp-directory}, even in subdirectories.  You prevent Emacs
-from descending into specific subdirectories by customizing
-@code{user-lisp-ignored-directories}.  You can disable scraping at
-startup by setting @code{user-lisp-auto-scrape} to @code{nil}.  All
-preparations automatically occur at startup if necessary, but can be
-manually invoked during a session using the @code{prepare-user-lisp}
-command.  It is recommended to run the command with a prefix argument
-after upgrading Emacs, to force all generated files to be updated.
+@code{user-lisp-directory}, including within subdirectories.  You can
+prevent Emacs from descending into specific subdirectories by
+customizing @code{user-lisp-ignored-directories}.  You can completely
+disable scraping at startup by customizing @code{user-lisp-auto-scrape}
+to @code{nil}.  In addition to how Emacs prepares the Lisp files
+automatically at startup, you can manually invoke preparation using the
+command @code{prepare-user-lisp}.
+
+  Although Emacs automatically handles recompilation when the contents
+of any Lisp files within the User Lisp directory have changed, there are
+other reasons why recompilation can become necessary that Emacs can't
+autodetect.  A good rule of thumb that will catch most (but not all)
+such issues is to force recompilation each time you upgrade to a new
+release of Emacs.  Start the new version of Emacs, type @w{@kbd{C-u M-x
+prepare-user-lisp}}, then quit and restart Emacs again.
 
   The User Lisp directory is a simpler mechanism than package
-installations (@pxref{Packages}).  In particular, there is no automatic
+installation (@pxref{Packages}).  In particular, there is no automatic
 dependency resolution or upgrading for files in the User Lisp directory,
 or any facility for building and registering package documentation.
 This means that usually the User Lisp directory is best for code you
 have written only for yourself.  However, it is possible to use the User
-Lisp directory for third party packages or packages you maintain.
+Lisp directory for third party packages or public packages you maintain.
 
 @node Authentication
 @section Keeping Persistent Authentication Information