What Do You Do to Hear Him? — 3 Nephi 8–11

Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (September 23-29)

The voice from heaven was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice. It was a small voice that pierced those who heard it to the center. This voice caused their frames to quake and their hearts to burn. The experience was recorded in the body before it was processed in the mind the first and second time. 

But the third time, the people did “hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.”

“And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them: Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name–hear ye him” (3 Nephi 11:5,6). 

This sacred experience exemplifies ways to increase our ability to hear Him. 

Revelation is received both in our body and our mind. It’s a good mental health practice to do body scans often in the day and release accumulated tension and stress with a quick relaxation exercise. This practice could also be good for making space for the Holy Ghost to “quicken” us. Elder Keith K. Hilbig described “quicken” like this: “We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own.”

Finding quiet time and being still may be another way to open our ears and look steadfastly towards heaven. President Nelson offers this counsel: 

“Commotion in the world will continue to increase. In contrast, the voice of the Lord is not ‘a voice of great tumultuous noise, but…it (is) a still voice of perfect mildness, (like) a whisper, and it (pierces) even to the very soul.’ In order to hear this still voice, you too must be still!...Quiet time is sacred time–time that will facilitate personal revelation and instill peace.”  

Breathing deeply, being still, quieting the noise, are all ways to hear Him better.  Your way may be different, but it’s vital to know where and how to connect with Him, especially when you are experiencing hard.  

Do Hard Divinely Better Lesson #36: Identify your intentional, consistent plan to Hear Him daily.