Meeting the Challenges of Today

When you study the scriptures, do you ever have certain themes that impress deep upon your mind and heart?  I am struck by the importance of prophets and apostles, the importance of giving heed to those who are called to speak and guide in the Lord's name, on a general and local level.

As I was studying this morning, I noticed the words "Voice of the Lord" several times in chapters 12 and 13 of Helaman.  I paused as these words repeated in my head.  I questioned myself, "Do I hear the voice of the Lord in my life?  How do I discern it from my own?  How does He speak to me?"  I know from personal experience that He speaks to us through prayer, fasting, study, and personal revelation.

In the Bible Dictionary under "Revelation" it states, "The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation. It is the making known of divine truth by communication with the heavens...  It...consists of individual guidance for every person who seeks for it and follows the prescribed course of faith, repentance, and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

The key here is the "prescribed course" for there are many who claim to hear "the voice of the Lord" who are not living the principles prescribed.  "Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ" is very much tied to obedience to the Lord's servants, to His prophets and apostles.  Which leads into the second part of the description of revelation in the Bible Dictionary,  it's "the plan of salvation to the Lord's prophets."

D&C 1:38 says, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

There it is, that's His voice! The voice of His servants and the voice of the Lord are the same!

 Yesterday, I enjoyed listening to most of the sessions of this last conference, of letting the voice of the Lord permeate the walls of my home.  The hymns and the words of the prophets filled my heart with peace.

 I recognized a very clear message from them to defend and uphold the family as it has been outlined in the Proclamation to the World.  The conclusion of this proclamation ends with a very strong admonition, "We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."  

The Lord has made His voice crystal clear.  It will be interesting to see what will happen in these coming years.  Calamities WILL come,

 Nevertheless, "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”-  (Joseph Smith - History of the Church, 4:540).

To go forth boldly and nobly in such times we must be found on the Lord's side.  We must be His true disciples and follow Him, for He is our Captain.  And as in any army, a good captain appoints strong leaders, these leaders speak His voice.  We sustain them as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

 In October of 1978 Neal A. Maxwell, an apostle of the Lord, spoke at BYU:

"Discipleship includes good citizenship; and in this connection, if you are careful students of the statements of the modern prophets, you will have noticed that with rare exceptions—especially when the First Presidency has spoken out—the concerns expressed have been over moral issues, not issues between political parties. The declarations are about principles, not people, and causes, not candidates. On occasions, at other levels in the Church, a few have not been so discreet, so wise, or so inspired.

But make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters; in the months and years ahead, events will require of each member that he or she decide whether or not he or she will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kings 18:21).

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional, or political life” (CR, April 1941, p. 123). "  (Meeting the Challenges of Today - Neal A. Maxwell)

Does this not sound completely like today?!  This was 37 years ago, But look at how far we've digressed as a nation since that time.  How much stronger the warning must be!! These declarations the Brethren have given us are about principles, sound principles anchored in truth, anchored in doctrine.

The voice of the Lord has spoken.  The prophet Samuel in Helaman 13:39 cries out, "O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words!"

I testify that the words of the living prophets are the words unto salvation.  They bring comfort to my soul, peace into my home, hope into my heart, and courage to face the challenges of the day.

-Alicia