Pamela Paul, a New York Times Opinion Columnist, shared an experience she had as an undergraduate student at Brown University. She attended a university-sponsored event in which a prominent leader she disliked was the presenter. She and her friends waited eagerly for the question-and-answer session, when they planned to skewer him. To her surprise, he was smarter than she had anticipated. “I’d been certain I would humiliate him,” she said. “Instead, I left humbled” (“The Most Profound Loss on Campus Isn’t Free Speech. It’s Listening,” New York Times, 30 March 2023).
Stephen was a disciple of Jesus Christ who was “full of faith and power.” As a result, he “did great wonders and miracles” (Acts 6:8) and he spoke convincingly. Even people who disagreed with him “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10). (See Mormon’s similar description of Nephi in 3 Nephi 7:18.)
When he was arrested and accused of blasphemy, he bore a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ to the high priest and other leaders. He summarized the history of Israel to provide context for the mission of Jesus Christ and to explain why his listeners had rejected the Savior. (See Acts 7:2-53.)
They were furious, and even more so when he looked up and said, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). How did they respond to this uncomfortable message? “They cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears” (Acts 7:57).
Well, that’s a sensible approach isn’t it? If I can’t hear the message, maybe it doesn’t exist. If I don’t take the message seriously, I can go on believing what I already believe. I don’t have to change.
Alma told the Zoramites that when you hear the word of God, “if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord,” then it will take root and begin to grow in your heart (Alma 32:38). The first step is simple: open your heart to the possibility that what you’re hearing might be true. In contrast, he told the people of Ammonihah that those who harden their hearts receive “the lesser portion of the word, until they know nothing concerning his mysteries” (Alma 12:11). And speaking on behalf of the Lord, Nephi said, “Unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have” (2 Nephi 28:30).
Today, I will listen with the intent to learn. I will open my heart to new information, including messages which are difficult to hear. I will strive to learn and progress, not to ignore uncomfortable messages and stay as I am.
The more I built m testimony learning of the Lord, I found myself wanting to know more. One day I heard a talk by an Elder in our church. He said, “If you really desire to hear more about the God, pray and ask.” I did just that! Answers.have come from everywhere! I feel the Spirit testifying because, I am listening. Ears to hear.. I am such a happy person. I know what is true!
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad that you are having such good experiences with prayer. It is true that the first step to learning is opening out hearts, and that a good way to open our hearts is to ask a question.