learn to listen to His voice.

Whether you call it following your heart, intuition, or the Spirit, have you ever had a hard time discerning an answer to a heartfelt question?

There have been times in my life that I have experienced very strong, undeniable answers. But, there have also been times during which I have felt confused, and unsure about a decision.

One of the greatest treasures I hold dear is the gift to receive spiritual revelation - as in receiving personal answers from my Heavenly Father. The Church I belong to is founded upon the very belief that we are all entitled to receive direct communication from God - that He desires to bless us with more light and knowledge. But there have been times when I have felt frustrated that I wasn't sure if an answer was truly coming from Him, or from the devil, a real being who desires to deceive us and lead us astray, and make us miserable! I definitely need to know the source of the answers I receive, and learn to discern truth from error.


A few weeks ago, I learned something I would like to share.

When you have a quiet moment to yourself, take some deep, cleansing breaths, close your eyes, and ask in your heart:

What does "yes" feel like?

and then, ask:

What does "no" feel like?

Allow yourself a few minutes to truly experience the feelings that come up with each answer. I have recorded in my personal journal what my personal answers feel like.


I have determined to ask for this "baseline" before praying about and making just about any kind of decision.

We must use the correct technology to receive correct answers. (image source)

The first week I learned this particular technique of discerning the Spirit, I decided I would put this knowledge to the test. I had planned to go to a particular store to pick up some food storage items. In my prayer, I felt a strong "no" when I asked about this particular store - and so, I decided to go to a different store, for which I received a strong "yes" answer. I thought it a little strange to receive such a strong answer just about a grocery store, and I even asked two more times to be sure. But I wanted to show my obedience, hoping to receive even more light and knowledge.

Imagine my mild frustration when the store I knew I was supposed to go to didn't have everything I was looking for. Out of stock. Disappointed, but still knowing something good would come from this, I left and determined to return another day.

As I began to leave the parking lot, I saw a man with a cardboard sign. I rolled down my passenger window, and while asking "Are you hungry?" I offered a granola bar to him. He approached the car, and our eyes met. While this was not the first time I have given something to someone in need, this was the first time, at least in a significant period of time, that I looked so deeply into his eyes. I saw light there, in those blue eyes. I saw a child of God. It was as if our souls had a conversation.

No significant words were exchanged - a simple thank you and you are welcome. But looking into my brother's eyes was healing for me.

Looking back and pondering on this experience, I think it was a chance to allow my spirit to tell his spirit, without words, I care about you. God cares about you. You are a child of God. I love you, and God loves you. And I know that my spirit received love and healing in this exchange, as well.

"The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent.

He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.

He will speak in a way that is unmistakable and that transcends human experience. He will give them divine direction and answers for their personal lives.

Of course, there will be those who scoff and say such a thing is impossible, that if there were a God, He would have better things to do than hear and answer a single person’s prayer.

But I tell you this: God cares about you. He will listen, and He will answer your personal questions. The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice. God wants you to find your way back to Him, and the Savior is the way.⁵ God wants you to learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, and experience the profound peace and joy that come from following the path of divine discipleship."

(President Uchtdorf, October 2014)