Hear His Voice

A defining characteristic of disciples of Jesus Christ is that they listen to Him.

During His mortal ministry, Jesus shared this principle with a metaphor: sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd. They know he loves them, and they are willing to follow him. In contrast, they will not “hear” the voice of a thief or a robber, meaning that they do not recognize that person as their leader and will not follow them. “I am the good shepherd,” He said, “and know my sheep and am known of mine” (John 10:14).

Ironically, some of His detractors who were present asked His disciples, “Why hear ye him?” (John 10:20). Jesus subsequently clarified that not all sheep will recognize and follow the shepherd, only the ones that actually belong to him:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life

John 10:27-28

About 150 years earlier, the Savior used similar language to help a church leader named Alma understand how to deal with disruptive church members:

He that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.

Mosiah 26:21

Alma’s son, also named Alma, used the same metaphor as he pleaded with church members in the city of Zarahemla to follow the Savior:

The good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep;

Alma 5:60

In September 1830, as church members prepared to participate in a conference in Fayette, New York, the Lord provided a revelation in which He reemphasized this principle. “Ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect,” He said; “for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:7). Later in the revelation, He warned of difficult events which would precede His return to earth. He reminded us of a fundamental principle: His blessings are freely available, but we have to be willing to receive them. “My blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not,” He said (Doctrine and Covenants 29:17).

Hearing Him is not a passive experience. Here are some things we can do to hear Him better:

1. Pay attention to the many ways He is communicating with you. Recognize that He speaks to you through multiple means.
2. Distinguish His voice from others. Turn down the volume on other voices in your life, so that you have room to hear Him more.
3. Soften your heart. Recognize that His messages may require you to change. Don’t let your pride prevent you from hearing Him.
4. Ask questions if you don’t fully understand what He wants you to do. Let Him teach you how to hear Him.
5. Act promptly on the instructions you receive from Him. Trust Him to help you do difficult things.

Today, I will strive to listen more intently and take action more quickly when I hear His voice. I will also prepare myself to hear His voice through the words of prophets in general conference this weekend.