“Find and Follow the Right Voices,” New Era, Dec. 2020, 32–35.
Find and Follow the Right Voices
Heavenly Father has made it possible for all of us to know the truth and know what He would have us do.
Photograph from Getty Images
We live in a world with many voices seeking our attention. As helpful and engaging as Alexa, Google, and Siri are, or as compelling as posts on social media may be, these voices may not always be reliable. As you go through life, it’s important that you learn to listen to the right voices and accept the encouragement that comes from them. I had some experiences when I was younger that reinforced these lessons for me.
Listen to Encouraging Voices
When I was 18, my older brother, John, returned from his mission in England. He was determined to make sure I was also ready to serve. We had adjacent bedrooms, and at night we would sometimes speak to each other after we turned out the lights. One night, John’s voice pierced through the darkness.
“Dave, do you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet?”
“Of course, John,” I replied. John soon went to sleep, but I stayed awake, wondering if I really did know.
A few months later, I visited my sister and her family in Tokyo, Japan. At that time, the Tabernacle Choir was touring Asia. President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, traveled with them.
I was invited to be an usher at several performances. One night I had the opportunity to sit with Elder and Sister Hinckley. Afterward, Elder Hinckley reached out to me.
“Now, young man,” he said, “you’re going to serve a mission, right?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
“Good,” he replied.
That was it. But this 30-second interview built upon other experiences I was having. I realized that for me to become a missionary, I needed to have a testimony. So, I started studying the Book of Mormon and the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
One evening, I finished reading a book about Joseph Smith. I remember lying on the floor in my parents’ living room. I closed the book and had a peaceful feeling. The Spirit witnessed to me that Joseph was a prophet. I then realized that I needed to tell others about it. This solidified for me the decision to serve a mission.
I’m grateful I not only had the Spirit but that I also had the voices of my brother and Elder Hinckley encouraging me to head in the right direction. My life has been blessed because I listened to their voices.
Recognize and Avoid Wrong Voices
When I was 17, I became familiar with some people who were caught up in some sensational stories about what they thought was historical information on the early days of the Church. As I listened to what they had to say, I felt uncomfortable.
That day I learned that there are many different voices out in the world, and some will try to lead us astray and make things seem different from what they really are. Some will seek to twist and distort the truth. It’s important that we spend as much time as we can in places where the Spirit can speak to us.
I was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. As a teenager, I enjoyed walking through Temple Square. Near the temple stood statues of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. As I looked at the statues and reflected on the sacrifices Joseph and Hyrum made, I realized that everything around me was peaceful. I loved the feeling I had while I was there. I find I can recognize the right voices when I feel settled and feel a degree of comfort and peace, not when voices around me are agitating, loud, or contentious.
Have Confidence in Trusted Voices
At 14, Joseph Smith had a question. He read in the Bible that he could ask God and trust the answer he received (see James 1:5). Joseph went to the Sacred Grove to pray. In response to his prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Joseph saw the Father point to the Son and heard Him say, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). From what Joseph saw and heard, we now have a clear understanding of the nature of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. We also understand our relationship to Them. We can always trust Their voices.
Joseph Smith was God’s prophet chosen to restore the Church of Jesus Christ with the ordinances, covenants, and teachings that allow us to learn and grow so we can return to live with Heavenly Father and our families forever.
Today, President Russell M. Nelson, his counselors in the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are prophets, seers, and revelators. We can confidently rely on their words because they are the Savior’s authorized representatives. Their spirituality and experiences give them perspectives that help us. We can trust their voices.
Follow the Sure Voice of the Spirit
Another important voice for us to hear is the voice of the Holy Ghost. This is a sure voice that has been designated to teach us truth and to testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
You can confidently rely on answers you receive from the Spirit. The Savior taught that the Spirit “shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26), and “the Spirit of truth … shall testify of me” (John 15:26).
Learning to recognize the Spirit is a lifelong quest. In different ways and at different times, He may speak to our “mind and in [our] heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2), “occupy [our] mind[s]” or “press … upon [our] feelings” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:1), cause our bosom to “burn within [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8), fill our souls with joy, enlighten our minds (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15; 11:13), or speak peace to our troubled hearts (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23).
The voice of the Spirit isn’t loud. He speaks in a still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:11–12). But if you are diligent and pay attention, your ability to hear will increase and you will be blessed with strength, direction, and happiness. We are promised that “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).
This may be one reason why President Nelson spoke of revelation in his first general conference address as President of the Church. He said, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”1 The voice of the Spirit is our best defense against the challenges of our day.
We have a loving Heavenly Father, and He has made it possible for all of us to know the truth and know what He would have us do. If we’re willing to listen, He’ll speak to us. If we’re willing to follow His voice, we will find great joy and happiness in our lives.