Dear friends, Lisa and I are so grateful to be with you today. I want to talk with you about “hearing Christ.” I testify that what I will share is true. I invite you to write down your impressions. I pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit to guide our communication.
Let’s begin by talking about COVID-19. This year it rapidly infected millions in countries around the world. It caused illness and death in many and ravaged economies and financial systems. Many have lost loved ones, jobs, friends, school, graduation ceremonies, and so on. We are all grateful that COVID-19’s effects are diminishing in some places and that with time, and with the prudent use of safety precautions and medical technology, the pandemic will end.
This year is more remarkable for an event that is, and ever will be, far more important than COVID-19. 2020 is the 200th anniversary of the First Vision, when in the Sacred Grove, Heavenly Father introduced young Joseph Smith to our Savior by saying, “Hear Him!” [1] Unlike COVID-19, the First Vision did not rapidly affect thousands of people around the world—it took time.
It took years for young Joseph Smith to be prepared for his role in the work of the Restoration. Three years passed before the angel Moroni visited him. Four more years passed before he received the gold plates. Two years later the Book of Mormon was finally published. Nine years after the First Vision, other heavenly messengers were sent to restore priesthood authority, God’s power, so the work that would follow could be carried out. [2] Ten years after the First Vision, the kingdom of God on earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was restored with just six members. Following its restoration, missionaries took the good news of the gospel to nations and peoples across the globe. One hundred and seventeen years after the First Vision, Church membership reached 1,000,000. [3]
Today, millions of Latter-day Saints worship God “in spirit and in truth” at home, at church, and in holy temples. [4] This is a movement. [5] The Restoration continues as the Church fulfills its responsibility to gather God’s children on both sides of the veil in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, who will come “in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; with all the holy angels.” [6]
We join with Joseph Smith in saying, “Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren [and sisters]; and on, on to the victory!” [7] And that victory will be when “the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”[8]
Considering the message of the First Vision and the Restoration, let me ask you two questions: How has the First Vision and all that followed changed you? And how are you actively seeking to hear Christ’s voice?
During the April 2020 general conference, President Nelson, his fellow Apostles, and the many others who spoke provided some answers to these questions. Let’s explore some of the Apostles’ words from conference.
President Nelson opened the Saturday morning session with this message:
This year, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of the world—namely, the appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. During that singular vision, God the Father pointed to Jesus Christ and said: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
That admonition given to Joseph is for each of us. We are to seek, in every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the power and ministering of the Holy Ghost. [9]
There it is: “Hear Him!” What a marvelous admonition to hear Christ’s voice. President Nelson then taught what “Hear Him” can mean to us :
Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance. [10]
When we choose to hear our Savior, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance, regardless of the influence of the adversary. He wants to turn us away from Christ’s words. President Nelson gave us a simple way to tell the difference between the adversary’s and the Lord’s voices:
The adversary is clever. For millennia he has been making good look evil and evil look good. His messages tend to be loud, bold, and boastful.
However, messages from our Heavenly Father are strikingly different. He communicates simply, quietly, and with such stunning plainness that we cannot misunderstand Him. [11]
Clearly, we need Christ’s words. But where can we find them? How can we be sure they are His? Where are trustworthy sources that we can build our lives on? President Nelson gave us four clear and God-approved sources: the scriptures, the temple, the Holy Ghost, and the words of the living prophets.
Let’s seek to better understand these sources by listening to the words of Christ’s living Apostles during the last general conference. I invite you to take notes. Please pay close attention to their invitations and the associated promises.
To all who hear my voice today, I invite you to be part of the marvelous coming forth of the Book of Mormon in your own life. I promise you that as you prayerfully and consistently study its words, you can partake of its promises and rich blessings in your life. I reaffirm once more the promise that echoes through its pages: that if you “ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,” He mercifully “will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” I can assure you that He will give you the answer in a very personal way, as He has done for me and many others around the world. [12]
Yes, we hear His voice in the scriptures, as Elder Soares taught us. President Nelson then taught us about feasting on the scriptures:
Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval. As we feast on the words of Christ daily, the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face. [13]
As we feast on Christ’s words in the scriptures, we find that the influence of the Holy Ghost grows more powerful in us. We discover heavenly help. During my mission as a young adult, my companion and I were teaching a wonderful investigator about the three degrees of glory when he asked, “But what about the animals?” I had no idea what to say. Then an impression came to my mind about a verse in section 77 that describes animals in their “eternal felicity.” [14] It was perfect and it wasn’t from me.
Elder Renlund then taught how hearing Christ opens the way for Him to do what we cannot:
Our Heavenly Father, referring to His Beloved Son, said, “Hear Him!” As you act on those words and listen to Him, remember, joyfully and reverently, that the Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts. [15]
Isn’t that amazing! I testify that it is true.
We next learn that we can hear Christ’s voice in temples. President Nelson taught us about specific things we can learn in the temple:
The house of the Lord is a house of learning. There the Lord teaches in His own way. There each ordinance teaches about the Savior. There we learn how to part the veil and communicate more clearly with heaven. There we learn how to rebuke the adversary and draw upon the Lord’s priesthood power to strengthen us and those we love. How eager each of us should be to seek refuge there. [16]
The temple ordinances teach us about the Savior. The temple also arms us with knowledge of how to open the heavens and draw upon priesthood power for strength. There we also learn how to rebuke the adversary.
Let’s listen to Elder Bednar’s teachings about the power of temple worship:
We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world. Rather, we come to the temple to conquer the world of evil. As we invite into our lives the “power of godliness” by receiving priesthood ordinances and making and keeping sacred covenants, we are blessed with strength beyond our own to overcome the temptations and challenges of mortality and to do and become good. . . . I solemnly testify that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith, and Elijah restored the sealing authority. Sacred temple covenants and ordinances can strengthen us and purify our hearts as we “Hear Him!” and receive the power of godliness in our lives. And I witness that this latter-day work will destroy the powers of darkness and bring about the salvation of the human family. [17]
I have come to know that what happens in temples is real. I remember many years ago kneeling across from Lisa at the altar in a sealing room in the Salt Lake Temple as a brother who held the restored sealing power married us for time and all eternity. Over the years our five children were sealed to their eternal companions by that same authority, a precious memory to us.
The next source of Christ’s words is the Holy Ghost. He is the Comforter, the Revelator who testifies of the Father and the Son and brings Christ’s words to our remembrance. [18] First let’s hear from President Eyring:
When we take repentance as a joyful opportunity because of our growing faith that Jesus is the Christ, when we understand and believe that Heavenly Father hears our every prayer, when we strive to obey and live the commandments, we grow in our power to receive continuing revelation. The Holy Ghost can be our constant companion. A feeling of light will stay with us even as the world around us becomes darker. [19]
The light of heaven will be with us as we hear, hearken, and heed Christ’s words. [20] Elder Andersen then taught us to embrace our experiences with the Holy Ghost by writing them down:
Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties. I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you. [21]
Gather your spiritual experiences. Treasure your answers from heaven. Let them strengthen you. Open your heart to them. As you do so, you will find that your spiritual foundation, if you build it upon the rock of our Redeemer, will grow ever stronger. You will find that the adversary’s attacks, his shafts in the whirlwind, will have no power over you to drag you away from your Savior. [22]
The fourth source of truth is God’s prophets and apostles. From the time of Adam and Eve, the Lord has called prophets to guide His children. In both the former-day and the latter-day Church, the Lord has called apostles whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. Let’s listen to President Nelson as he teaches us that God will bless those who hear, hearken, and heed the words of living prophets:
What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. I promise miracles in your marriage, family relationships, and daily work. And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life. [23]
There is such power in this sacred cause. His promises are real. As we hear, hearken, and heed the Savior and His prophets, we will have increased power and capacity to do His will. We will also have the help of heavenly miracles. We have so much reason to hope, as Elder Holland taught us:
May we press forward with love in our hearts, walking in the “brightness of hope” that lights the path of holy anticipation we have been on now for 200 years. I testify that the future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been. We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence. [24]
Can you see the power of Christ’s voice in the words of His Apostles? Can you see the pattern in their teaching, each concept building on the others, each interconnected to bring us closer to our Savior?
At the center of conference, President Nelson introduced us to a sacred apostolic proclamation about the First Vision and all that followed:
Now as we contemplate this significant time in the history of the world and the Lord’s charge to gather scattered Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles, issue the following proclamation. Its title is “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” It is authored by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [25]
The living Apostles testify of the First Vision, the visits of heavenly messengers to restore priesthood authority and keys, the importance of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the reorganization of Christ’s Church with the Savior Himself as its chief cornerstone, and the ongoing Restoration guided by Christ through continuing revelation.
We all must study this proclamation because its doctrine is pure, simple, and clear. It is filled with truths that the Holy Ghost can testify of with quiet, convincing power. Listen as President Nelson reads the beautiful closing words of the proclamation:
With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [26]
Having heard these words from the Lord’s Apostles, let’s revisit the questions I asked you.
First: How has the First Vision and all that followed changed you?
Please take time to seriously ponder this over the next few days and weeks. Consider the sources of truth President Nelson gave us to guide you. As you ponder this powerful question, write down the thoughts and impressions that come into your mind. Remember they will be personal to you. They are gifts from God to you. Record them. As you do this, you will receive more, and the Holy Ghost will bring them to your remembrance when you need them. [27]
Second: How are you actively seeking to hear Christ’s voice?
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s blessing for all of His children, and it is for you. Are His words alive in you? Are you actively seeking to have ears that hear? [28] What is the condition of your heart? [29] Are you letting Christ’s words enter your heart? As you choose to let them in and take root in your heart, you will feel yourself change. You will feel their truthfulness grow in you like a good seed, and they will become delicious. [30] With time, you will feel to “sing the song of redeeming love.” [31]
I have felt Christ’s words change me. From my first experiences feeling the Spirit as I prayed at my mother’s knee to the times when the Spirit has strongly confirmed what I had learned about the Savior and His gospel is true, I have felt the seed of faith grow in my heart. And it has become more delicious to me than anything else in this life.
So, let’s review. You can hear our Savior as you read the scriptures every day, attend the temple and do family history work, seek and listen to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, and listen to the words of the living prophets. I invite you to actively choose to “hear Him.” I invite you to choose to “hear Him” every day, every week, every month, and every year of your lives. I invite you to choose to “hear Him” with your families, with your friends, and with the whole world.
I promise you that as you do these things, you will be able to partake of the fruit of the tree of life, “which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, . . . and pure above all that is pure; and [you] shall feast upon this fruit even until [you] are filled, that [you] hunger not, neither shall [you] thirst.” [32]
I testify of the truthfulness of these things, for which I am most grateful.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Joseph Smith—History 1:17.
[2] See General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3.0.
[3] “Growth of the Church,” Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
[4] See John 4:23–24.
[5] See Mosiah 18:1–3, 7–11, 16–17, 32.
[6] Doctrine and Covenants 45:44.
[7] Doctrine and Covenants 128:22.
[8]Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 444.
[9] Russell M. Nelson, “Opening Message,” Ensign, May 2020.
[10] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ulisses Soares, “The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, May 2020.
[13] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[14] Doctrine and Covenants 77:3; see also “The Origin of Man,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 30; Improvement Era, Nov. 1909, 81; Manuscript History of the Church, vol. D-1, page 1523, josephsmithpapers.org
[15] Dale G. Renlund, “Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God,” Ensign, May 2020.
[16] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[17] David A. Bednar, “‘Let This House Be Built unto My Name,’” Ensign, May 2020.
[18] See John 14:26.
[19] Henry B. Eyring, “Prayers of Faith,” Ensign, May 2020.
[20] See Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” April 2020 General Conference
[21] Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritually Defining Memories,” Ensign, May 2020.
[22] See Helaman 5:12.
[23] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[24] Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Perfect Brightness of Hope,” Ensign, May 2020.
[25] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[26] Ibid.
[27] See John 14:26.
[28] See Matthew 11:15.
[29] See Mosiah 4:1–3; 5:1–5.
[30] See Alma 32:28–41.
[31] Alma 5:26; see also Alma 26:13.
[32] Alma 32:42.