Voice of the Spirit

First Presidency Message
By President James E. Faust
Second Counselor in the First Presidency



I feel deeply my responsibility to teach sacred things. I am so aware that the world is changing and will be vastly different from the one I have known. Values have shifted. Basic decency and respect for good things are eroding. A moral blackness is settling in. In many ways our young people are the hope of the future, like valuable diamonds that shine better against a dark background.

I turn to a scriptural text found in the Doctrine and Covenants: "Give ear to the voice of the living God."1 The voice of the Spirit is available to all. The Lord said, "The Spirit enlighteneth every man [and every woman] . . . that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit." He further said that "every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father."2 Some people are seeking to find the abundant life. Paul made it clear that it is "the spirit [that] giveth life."3 Indeed, the Savior said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."4


Joy Is a Gift

One might ask, then what are the fruits of the Spirit? Paul answered this by saying they are "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."5 The joy we seek is not a temporary emotional high, but a habitual inner joy learned from long experience and trust in God. Lehi's teaching to his son Jacob declares, "Men are, that they might have joy."6 To achieve this great objective, we must "give ear to the voice of the living God."

I wish to testify as a living witness that joy does come through listening to the Spirit, for I have experienced it. Those who live the gospel learn to live "after the manner of happiness"7 as did the Nephites. All over the world, in the many countries where the Church is established, members could add their testimonies to mine. Abundant evidence verifies the promise of peace, hope, love, and joy as gifts of the Spirit. Our voices join in a united petition for all of God's children to partake of these gifts also.


Voices of the World

But we hear other voices. Paul said, "There are . . . so many kinds of voices in the world"8 that c