You may have noticed that I haven’t been posting to the website as frequently as I once did, and I want to acknowledge that. I noticed it too… Sunday mornings, once my designated time to get up early and write content, have shifted. I didn’t want to leave you wondering or worrying about whether you would ever hear from me again and learning more about Jesus Christ.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leadership roles are mostly filled volunteers from within each local congregation. In 2020, I was called to a position in my local congregation that requires a significant commitment of time and responsibility. As a result, my Sunday mornings are now filled with meetings and other duties. While I have every intention of adding to the website, I ask for your patient as I adjust and find a new rhythm in my life for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with you.
Thank you so much for continuing to visit and support this space—I truly appreciate it!
If you haven’t yet begun reading about the Prophet Joseph Smith, I encourage you to start here. I’ve written several posts on the topic. These writings should hold you over until I’m able to post again.
Yet another video produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about how one of his apostles hears the voice of the Holy Ghost in a very sacred and personalized way.
Elder Ulisses Soares is an apostle of Jesus Christ and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. In the video series, Elder Soares shares how he can #Hear Him
President Dallin H. Oaks: A Life of Service and Spiritual Guidance
President Dallin H. Oaks is a distinguished leader and a member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life is a testament to dedicated service, profound faith, and a deep connection with the Spirit. Today, President Oaks shares how he hears the voice of the Spirit speaking to him, offering insights that can inspire and guide us in our own spiritual journeys.
A Journey of Faith and Service
Born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, Dallin H. Oaks has led a life marked by significant achievements and unwavering faith. Before his call to full-time church service, he had a successful career in law and education. He served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court and as the president of Brigham Young University. His professional accomplishments are impressive, but it is his spiritual journey and dedication to the Lord that truly define his legacy.
Hearing the Voice of the Spirit
President Oaks often speaks about the importance of listening to the Spirit. He emphasizes that the Spirit communicates in various ways, including feelings, impressions, and thoughts. These promptings can guide us in making decisions, providing comfort, and offering direction in our lives. President Oaks shares personal experiences where he has felt the Spirit’s guidance, illustrating how these divine communications have influenced his decisions and actions.
One notable example is when President Oaks was considering a significant career change. He felt a strong impression to pursue a path that seemed uncertain and challenging. Trusting in the Spirit’s guidance, he made the decision, which ultimately led to greater opportunities for service and growth. This experience underscores the importance of faith and trust in following the Spirit’s promptings, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Leaders as Ordinary People with Extraordinary Faith
Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like President Oaks, are regular people who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord. Their experiences and challenges are often similar to those we face. This relatability makes their advice and teachings particularly valuable. They have learned to recognize and respond to the voice of Heaven through years of faithful service and personal growth.
President Oaks’ teachings remind us that we, too, can develop a close relationship with the Spirit. By living righteously, seeking the Lord’s guidance, and being attentive to the promptings we receive, we can navigate our lives with divine assistance. This process requires patience, humility, and a willingness to act on the impressions we receive, even when they lead us out of our comfort zones.
Applying Spiritual Guidance in Our Lives
The advice shared by President Oaks and other church leaders is applicable in our own lives. They encourage us to seek the Spirit’s guidance in all aspects of our lives, from making major life decisions to finding ways to serve others. By doing so, we can experience the blessings of divine direction and become instruments in the Lord’s hands.
Personal Experiences with the Spirit
Many of us have had experiences where we felt an impression or prompting from the Spirit. These moments can be powerful and transformative. When we heed these impressions, we often find that we are able to bless the lives of others and, in turn, receive blessings ourselves. Listening to the quiet whisperings of the Spirit allows us to be agents for good in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Role of the Spirit in Everyday Life
The Spirit’s guidance is not limited to major life decisions; it can also influence our daily interactions and choices. By cultivating a habit of listening to the Spirit, we can become more attuned to its promptings and better equipped to respond. This can lead to more meaningful relationships, greater opportunities for service, and a deeper sense of purpose in our lives.
Developing Spiritual Sensitivity
Developing spiritual sensitivity requires consistent effort and practice. President Oaks teaches that we can enhance our ability to hear the Spirit by engaging in regular prayer, scripture study, and worship. These practices help us draw closer to the Lord and create an environment where the Spirit can dwell. Additionally, living in accordance with gospel principles and striving to be worthy of the Spirit’s companionship are essential steps in this process.
Overcoming Challenges and Doubts
There may be times when we struggle to recognize or trust the Spirit’s promptings. Doubts and distractions can cloud our spiritual perception. During such times, it is important to remember that the Lord is patient and understanding. President Oaks encourages us to persist in our efforts to seek the Spirit’s guidance, even when it feels difficult. By doing so, we demonstrate our faith and commitment to following the Lord’s will.
The Impact of Spiritual Guidance on Our Lives
The impact of spiritual guidance on our lives can be profound. It can provide us with clarity, peace, and direction in times of uncertainty. It can also strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with the Lord. As we learn to recognize and respond to the Spirit’s promptings, we become more effective instruments in the Lord’s hands, capable of bringing about positive change in our own lives and the lives of others.
Conclusion
President Dallin H. Oaks’ teachings on hearing the voice of the Spirit offer valuable insights and guidance for all of us. His experiences and counsel remind us that we can develop a close relationship with the Spirit and receive divine guidance in our lives. By following his example and striving to live righteously, we can become more attuned to the Spirit’s promptings and better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities we encounter.
Incorporating these principles into our daily lives can lead to greater spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. As we seek the Lord’s guidance and act on the impressions we receive, we can experience the blessings of divine direction and become instruments for good in the name of Jesus Christ. Let us strive to listen to the quiet whisperings of the Spirit and follow its guidance, trusting that the Lord will lead us on the path that is best for us.
The Lost Manuscript: A Time of Sorrow and Revelation
From the spring through early summer 1828, Joseph Smith and Martin Harris diligently worked on the translation of the golden plates. By June 14, 1828, they had completed 116 pages of manuscript.
But doubt crept in. Martin’s wife, Lucy Harris, was skeptical of Joseph and deeply suspicious of the translation process. She believed Martin was being deceived by Joseph Smith.
Desperate to prove the work’s legitimacy, Martin pleaded with Joseph to let him take the manuscript home. Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord and received a firm no. Martin, dissatisfied, insisted that Joseph ask again. The answer came again– no. Still, Martin needed to convince his wife and asked Joseph to once again ask the Lord for a third time.
After much hesitation by Joseph and many solicitations by Martin, Joseph asked and received an answer. Martin could take the pages with the stipulation that he only shows the pages to his wife, his brother, his parents, and Lucy’s sister. Martin made Joseph a covenant to abide to these terms.
But he broke his covenant.
While Martin was away, Joseph and Emma experienced both joy and heartbreak. Emma gave birth to a boy, but the baby died shortly after birth. Emma’s grief was immense, wishing for death herself. For two weeks she lingered in emotional and physical pain. Joseph was sleepless and consumed with worry.
As Emma slowly began to recover, Joseph’s anxiety turned from his wife to Martin. It had been nearly three weeks since he’d handed over the 116 pages and Joseph had not received word from Martin.
Sensing Joseph’s growing distress, Emma suggested he travel to Palmyra, New York to find out what had happened. She would stay with her parents while he made the journey.
Joseph Smith’s Journey Back to Palmyra
The trip was exhausting. Already emotionally and physically worn out, Joseph Smith could not eat or sleep. His soul was heavy with dread because of the possible condemnation he and Martin were under.
he stagecoach could not take him all the way, and he was forced to travel the final twenty miles on foot. One kind fellow passenger offered to walk with him to the Smith home. For the final four miles, Joseph was so exhausted that the man had to lead him by the arm, as Joseph was falling asleep while walking.
Upon arrival, Joseph ate a small amount then immediately requested for someone to fetch Martin Harris.
At eight o’clock the family set a meal on the table expecting Martin Harris at any moment. Hours passed with no sign of Martin. Finally, at 12:30, Martin was seen walking slowly towards the house, head downcast.
He stopped at the gate and sat on the fence for a while with his hat over his eyes. Eventually, he entered the house and sat down as if to eat with a knife and fork in hand. Hyrum Smith remarked about Martin’s lack of eating at which Harris put his hands to his temples crying out:
“Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!”
Joseph lept up from the table:
“Martin, have you lost the manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?”
Martin Harris honestly answered Joseph’s exclamation and responded
“Yes; it is gone, and I do not know where.”
Joseph wept bitterly, pacing the room and crying:
“All is lost! All is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned–it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession.” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, 125-29)
A Divine Reprimand to Joseph Smith
Shortly after this heartbreaking experience, Joseph received a revelation from the Lord:
For a time, Joseph Smith lost the privilege of translating the plates. It was a time of deep sorrow, repentance, and spiritual refinement, and a sobering reminder of the sacred trust Joseph had been given in translating.
