In the 55th chapter of Isaiah, we receive important instructions about listening to messages from God: "Incline your ear, and come unto me," He says, "hear, and your soul shall live" (Isaiah 55:3). Listening requires intentional effort. We need to eliminate distractions and focus our attention on His words. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found," says... Continue Reading →
Smooth Things
Isaiah reproved the children of Israel for being unwilling to hear hard things. He said they were the type of people who would "say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things." In contrast, they would request the easy stuff: "Speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits" (Isaiah... Continue Reading →
“For the Space of an Hour” – Alma 18:14
I've been working on being a better listener, so I was inspired by Ammon's response when King Lamoni failed to answer a question. Here's the story: King Lamoni was overwhelmed when he learned that his new servant, Ammon, had singlehandedly driven away a large group of marauders who were trying to scatter his sheep. The... Continue Reading →
Hearken
When King Benjamin called his people together near the end of his life, he began his sermon by urging them to listen carefully to what he had to say: I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be a Better Listener?
Today, I pondered what I can do to be a better listener. Here are some relevant guidelines taught by the Book of Mormon: 1. Recognize your own limitations and prepare yourself to participate fully in the interaction. When Nephi returned to his family's camp after seeing a vision, he found his brothers "disputing one with... Continue Reading →
Behold Your Little Ones – 3 Nephi 17:21-23
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. 22 And when he had done this he wept again; 23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said... Continue Reading →
He Waketh Morning by Morning – 2 Nephi 7:4-5
4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear,... Continue Reading →
There Was Silence – 3 Nephi 10:1-3
1 And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did hear these sayings, and did witness of it. And after these sayings there was silence in the land for the space of many hours; 2 For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting... Continue Reading →
They…Did Open Their Ears to Hear It – 3 Nephi 11:5-6
5 And again the third time they 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.6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard...(3 Nephi 11:5-6)After the... Continue Reading →
I Perceive That Thou Art…Quick to Observe – Mormon 1:2-5
2 And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 