God Hears and Speaks to His Children

Elder Daniel Kabason

Area Seventy

We mortals haven’t always been faithful, but we are privileged to have bodies and to be on this earth. Our Heavenly Father knows that our journey here will not always be smooth, so He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to lead us back to Him. To help us achieve this, God hears and speaks to us so that we can strive to stay on the covenant path.

When Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. sought to know which church was true, he asked God, who heard and responded. Joseph recorded:

“It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me, I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17).

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “The first thing God did after creating man and woman was speak to them. He vital information and precious instructions to give them.”

Samuel, a young child entrusted to the care of Eli the priest, experienced God’s voice in an extraordinary way. While sleeping in the temple, Samuel heard a voice calling his name repeatedly:

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child” (1 Samuel 3:7–8).

Eli wisely counseled the young prophet-in-the-making on how to respond.

When Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, considered divorcing Mary, an angel appeared to him in a dream. It is fascinating that God intervened as soon as Joseph considered something that was not His will. How often do we feel that nudge to act differently but convince ourselves otherwise? The Spirit within us speaks more readily when we train ourselves to submit to God’s will. God speaks today as He did to Joseph and Mary. Although He may not always send angels, His Spirit communicates with us.

God Speaks in Different Ways

It is interesting that God chose to speak to Joseph through a dream rather than a physical visitation by the angel. This reminds us that God meets us in ways that resonate with us individually. There is no one-size-fits-all in how He interacts with us. I rarely recall my dreams, but Joseph obviously did. I believe that if God speaks to us in a dream, He will ensure that we recognize it. Godly dreams often have unique qualities, setting them apart from ordinary dreams. If God chooses to communicate with us this way, He will make sure we remember and understand.

Joseph was told very little about the child he was to raise. Does this suggest that Joseph was more prepared in his heart to accept God’s will than Mary was? Perhaps his older age and life experience made him more practiced in surrender. Alternatively, Joseph’s knowledge of scripture might have enabled him to understand the significance of God’s message with fewer details.

How to Listen to God

Be intentional in your focus.

Dedicate time daily to connect with God. This can be at home, on a walk, in your car, or anywhere you can eliminate distractions. Your schedule should reflect your heart’s desire to prioritize God.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38 states: “Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. 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.”

Listen with an open heart and attitude.

Be willing to receive God’s guidance and obey. As President Russell M. Nelson asked: “Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?”

Trust in God’s personal message for you.

Trust that God’s guidance is for your provision, protection, and purpose. His love sustains us, and trusting Him reflects our love and willingness to listen. When we listen and obey, life becomes more meaningful, and we grow confident in His plan for us. He uses His prophets to communicate with us: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Why It’s Important to Listen to God

In Articles of Faith 1:9, we read: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

God’s purpose for us extends beyond eternal life; He desires a relationship with us here and now. He wants us to experience His steadfast love and communicate with Him through prayer, scripture study, and listening to His prophets. By taking the initiative to seek Him wholeheartedly, we open ourselves to His will.

Although we may not hear God’s audible voice as Samuel or Moses did, we can be assured that He will communicate His will, desires, and plans for us when we diligently seek Him. Submitting to God’s voice requires faith and trust, even though we cannot see Him.

May the Lord bless us and sustain President Nelson and his family as they continue the great work entrusted to them.