Do I Listen for His Voice?

“We’re told to talk to Heavenly Father in prayer. But how does Heavenly Father talk to me?”

Learning to recognize our Father’s voice and to following Spiritual promptings in a daily challenge and a quest of a lifetime. But God does speak to us. There are many ways in which this happens. But we must learn to listen and to feel His words. 

Following are a few scriptures that will aid us in developing the ability to recognize our Heavenly Father’s voice. He does love us, and He wants us to be happy. We can speak to Him through prayer in the name of His Son, and He can give us answers and offer comfort and direction through the scriptures, the prophets, our daily interactions, and through the power of the Holy Ghost. Keeping a journal of your impressions and of His daily guidance will also increase your ability to recognize His voice and to feel gratitude.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38:

38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.


Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3:

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.


Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9:

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.


These are a few suggested scriptures in this month’s New Era, but there are so many more. It is important to not limit our understanding by abandoning our own search. Like Nephi, who prayed for his own understanding of his father Lehi’s vision, it is important for us to hold on tightly to the iron rod, which is the word of God ( See 1 Nephi 11:25). And like the young boy Samuel, it is important for us to learn to recognize the Lords voice, and to say to Him, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).


The important thing to remember in developing a relationship with our Heavenly Father is that it will take time and energy. We are always eager to spend time and share important things with those we love and with those whom we feel love us. It is no different with God. We must offer our daily devotions to Him whose grand and eternal design is our everlasting happiness. How can you nourish your relationship with God? How will your life be strengthened by being in tune with our Almighty Father and in harmony with His will? Will you begin today to following the impressions that you receive to draw nearer to Him so that you can more follow hear His voice?


(Source: New Era: Learning of Heavenly Father: A Study of Epic Proportions)

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Yes, I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me

“There are billions of people on the earth! How can Heavenly Father possibly know me?”

Have you ever been in awe of the Master of the Universe? Have you ever felt the overpowering love that pours forth from our Father and His Son? Have you contemplated that His creations are infinite, which means that they are without number to you and to me? And yet, He has the very hairs of our heads numbered (See Luke 12:7). He knows each of us by name. He knows and loves you, and He knows and loves me personally and forever.

Following are a few scriptures that will help us recognize our Heavenly Father’s love for us. He does love us, and He wants us to be happy. We can find happiness and joy as we keep the commandments which will strengthen our abilities to recognize His hand and feel His love. Look for the main idea in each scripture. Can you summarize the message to share in your own words? How does verbalizing the message out loud make you feel? Don’t limit this enriching activity to these few verses. Think of others, and internalize them as well. Remember that you can use tools on LDS.org to help you in your search. And always remember to pray and to listen.

1 Samuel 16:7:

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.


Psalm 82:6:

6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Luke 12:6-7:

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:23:


23 Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;

These are a few suggested scriptures in this month’s New Era, but there are so many more. Do you have some favorites? If you have felt your Heavenly Father’s love, do you feel it still? Alma poses this question in Alma 5:26:

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

And he tells us steps to take so that we can feel this love throughout the rest of the chapter.


We read great counsel from President Kimball as recorded in Ensign article, Spencer W. Kimball: Man of Action:

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”

President Uchtorf tells us in this current Ensign

article that we need to make meaningful time with our Heavenly Father:

“To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ [Psalm 46:10].”

What can we do personally this year to shorten the distance and to feel God’s love? What are you willing to do today?

(Source: New Era: Learning of Heavenly Father: A Study of Epic Proportions)

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Knowing My Heavenly Father

What can I do to develop a relationship with my Heavenly Father?

Heavenly Father is literally our Father. He loves us. He loves us so much that He provided this Earth as a place for our schooling, and He provided His Son to be both our Master and our Redeemer. He is a Perfect Parent and He desires for all of us to progress and be happy.

Following are a few scriptures that will be directive in helping us understand what to do in order to know our Heavenly Father. There are many important scriptures that can help us know who He is and how much He loves us and desires our happiness. As we come to know Him, we will understand that our happiness is linked to developing trust in Him and becoming like Him. Don’t quit your search with these few scriptures. You can recall other ones and search for more. Go to LDS.org and search for key words that you find in your scripture search. Also, visit lds.org/media-library to watch a video on the topic.

Here is a video that I watched:

The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Has Sent

There are many more. But don’t stop there; pray for answers. God will listen to your prayers and help you find answers to your questions.

John 14:6-9:

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

1 John 4:7:

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Alma 30: 44:

44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

Doctrine and Covenants 132:22-24:

22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.

These are a few suggested scriptures in this month’s New Era, but there are so many more. Which are some of your favorites? How have they blessed you to come to feel the love that God has for you? How have they blessed you in developing a relationship with your Father and coming to know Him and His Son? How does knowing that God is our Heavenly Father enrich our lives? What does the knowledge cause you to do?

(Source: New Era: Learning of Heavenly Father: A Study of Epic Proportions)

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The Father and the Son are One in Purpose

“How are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the same but different?”

We have been told to worship the true and living God, and some people believe that the Father and the Son are just one personage of spirit. But this isn’t true. They are two separate identities who are one in unity, purpose, and likeness. How can we come to recognize Heavenly Father as the Father of our spirits and Jesus Christ as our Savior? 

These few scriptures provide a good beginning point in strengthening our understanding. There are so many more. You can open the links to these verses and find tools for cross-referencing them with other scriptures. Plus, you can use great tools such as The Bible Dictionary, True to the Faith, and Preach My Gospel. But don’t stop there; pray for answers. God will listen to your prayers and help you find answers to your questions.

John 3:16,35:

16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 17:20-23:

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Mormon 7:5-7:

5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up.

6 And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat.

7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

These are a few suggested scriptures in this month’s New Era, but there are so many more. Which are some of your favorites? How have the blessed you to have a greater understanding of our Heavenly Father and of His Son Jesus Christ? How can developing an understanding of both of Them help to enrich our lives? How can you share the truths that you learn with your own family? How can you share them with your friends and associates?

(Source: New Era: Learning of Heavenly Father: A Study of Epic Proportions)

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What is God Like?

What is God like? Are there scriptures that have helped you to know? Have you felt impressions from the Spirit that have helped you discern His love? How can we come to know God as our Father?

Here are a few scriptures that can help us understand what God is like. Please read them and consider what they mean to you. When reading the scriptures, if there are words that prompt you to know more, look them up in a dictionary or in the Bible Dictionary. But don’t stop there; pray for answers. God will listen to your prayers and help you find answers to your questions.

Matthew 7:9-11:

 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

1 John 1:5:

 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Ether 3:12:

 12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

These are a few suggested scriptures in this month’s New Era, but there are so many more. Which are some of your favorites? How have they blessed you to have a greater understanding of who God is? How can developing an understanding of God enrich our lives?

(Source: New Era: Learning of Heavenly Father: A Study of Epic Proportions)

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I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Today’s Sacrament meeting was very good, beginning with the opening song, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” I thought about my brother Ed and his strong testimony as he sang that song when he was a young boy. I imagined how close he must have been to the Savior to choose that song. And of course, I miss my mother, and Ed, and Kathy, and Robby, and Nana, and Oma, and on and on. But the powerful message of the song reminds me that because Jesus lives, we all will go on living even after our bodies lay down in death. And because Jesus is resurrected and glorified, we will be, too! I marvel at His love and His goodness.

While I love many hymns, few affect me the way this one does. (Two others that do are “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning” and “I Stand All Amazed.”)

Here are the words to the opening song today:

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Text: Samuel Medley
Music: Lewis D. Edwards

While the messages of every single verse speak of my love for Jesus and His relationship to me and mine to Him, the third verse always grabs me particularly. He is my Friend; He is my Prophet, my Priest, and my King! What greater reason do I have to sing? What greater reason do I have to rejoice and to lay my burdens down at His feet and continue forward in faith, hope, and good will? Because He is all these things to me, I need to trust in Him and allow Him to bind up my broken heart, and then do all that I can to serve Him.

I think that there is no greater song than this for expressing my belief, my faith, my hope, and my testimony in the Lord. While I sing this song, I feel His Spirit’s witness, and “I know that my Redeemer lives.”

After the Sacrament, the Bishop began the testimony meeting with a humble and sincere testimony like a child's. He knows the gospel is true, and he expressed thankfulness for his mother and father. This set the tone for many other powerful witnesses and the Spirit was sweet and real. I was deeply touched by the meeting, because the messages expressed what I feel and what I needed to hear; and reflecting on that, I feel that there is more unity in this newly combined congregation than I could have ever imagined. I am thankful. 

Temple Blessings

Today I participated in a joyful occasion. A young man received his endowments in the temple of our God in preparation for serving a mission in Brazil. I know that this young man and his family felt grateful to be surrounded by family and friends. So did we. It was a blessing to be there.

Last Sunday Zach, the young man, gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting. It wasn’t time for his farewell yet, but he is so well-prepared, and the talk was so uplifting, that we all felt like we were already being addressed by a missionary.

Afterwards his brother Hans Cody spoke. He had just returned from his mission, and it was his homecoming address. It was wonderful to witness the growth in this man. He also delivered a powerful, uplifting message, and we were all edified for being there.

I made a comment to their father today. I remarked how joyous Christmas must have been with them all there together again. He said that this day was actually much better. How joyous it is to have our families make covenants and progress together. They are looking forward to the time when their daughter can also join them in the temple.

I am also thankful for the times when Bob and I have been in the temple with our children, for endowments and for weddings and sealings. These are the glimpses of eternity that fill us with unspeakable joy.

I am certain that Zach is happy to be following the example of his brother Cody. Cody will be able to write him letters of encouragement and share insights with him. Missions not only are for serving those people whom we are so fortunate to meet; missions are also for strengthening our families and friends at home. We all are blessed by the sacrifices and service rendered, both by the missionary and by those who are offering support.

And the temple also brings us blessings so that we can serve well in our callings as family members, ward members, and missionaries.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your day. Angels are rejoicing, and so are we.