I Hear the Savior’s Voice

        If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on Earth,
        I would have liked to walk with Him and listen to His words.
        But as I search the scriptures I can hear His words of peace,
        And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.
        (If I Listen With My Heart, new Primary song.)

Last night, I spent some time looking at a painting of Jesus (as a boy) teaching the Elders in the temple and tried to imagine being there and learning directly from Him.  It probably wasn’t the same for everyone there, but hopefully they were all better because of the experience.  I’ll bet those who benefited the most were the ones who had been studying and pondering the scriptures beforehand.

Actually, I think it probably wasn’t too different from the experiences we can have now reading the scriptures and praying for understanding.  After all, we have the Savior’s words from His prophets and the Comforter  who was promised would come to teach all things (John 14:26).  Each of us has unique experiences learning from the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, unique but always good.

It’s hard to believe that anyone could have met the Savior and rejected Him, but some did.  Of course, I hope that I wouldn’t have been part of that crowd, but I think it’s also a mistake to criticize them too harshly.  Some of them were very good Jews, and I mean that in a good way.  They knew the scriptures well, they obeyed the law and lived righteously.  But somehow, even though the prophets had foretold His coming, they didn’t understand.

I think the crucial mistake is that they were so sure in their minds that they hardened their hearts against Jesus and refused to recognize Him as the Messiah.  This is why I can’t point fingers, because I’m such a know-it-all myself.  It’s a constant struggle—trying to be humble and teachable, to “listen with my heart.”  But when I do, I am filled with peace . . . and light and truth and love.  It’s wonderful!

I love this description of gaining divine knowledge:  “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.”  (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3)

My faith is strengthened when I learn things that way, in my mind and in my heart--when my understanding is clear and I feel good, too.  My faith is strengthened when the things I learn naturally lead me to live more righteously and serve better.  Such good fruits can only come from the good tree.  All goodness comes from Jesus Christ.  He is our Savior and Redeemer, the Messiah who was chosen before the foundation of the world.  He beacons all the come unto Him.