Merry Christmas Eve!
So today is a two-parter- one from the Bible and one from the Book of Mormon. I love how both focus on discerning the voice of the Spirit.
"Walking the road, much as we walk through life, the disciples were discussing the stunning events of Christ’s death and resurrection. Suddenly, Jesus, disguised to their eyes, drew near and walked with them and explained to them how the scriptures had been fulfilled. As the trio approached the village, Jesus turned away, but the disciples urged, as we urge daily, that he should “Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” The Lord acquiesced, accompanied them, and ate with them, and as he blessed the food their eyes were opened and “they knew him,” and he vanished. (Luke 24:13–31.) In our walks along the road called life, in our study of the words of Luke and the other Gospel writers, we too rejoice in those treasured moments with the Lord. And in seeking to live in accordance with his commandments, and in studying his word, we might say, as the two disciples said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32.) Our hearts do burn and ever shall, so long as we do the will of the Lord, so long as we read Luke, and the others, with an eye and a heart single to the glory of our God and the miracle of his Son."
I feel incredibly blessed to know that Christ's ministry extended to various people around the world. After his death and resurrection, and after his ministry among his disciples for 40 days, we have at least one recorded account of his visit to the Americas- to "other sheep not of this fold".
"The more righteous part of the Nephites had to focus their attention in order to hear the voice that preceded the Savior’s appearance among them. “They heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.” 18 They heard the voice a second time and did not understand. When they heard the voice the third time, they “did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.”19 If we are to hearken to the voice of the Spirit, we too must open our ears, turn the eye of faith to the source of the voice, and look steadfastly towards heaven."
President James E. Faust, Voice of the Spirit, (video)
I think this is a fitting message for Christmas Eve as we eagerly anticipate and prepare for the festivities of the next day. In all our preparation and busyness it might be easy to miss the quiet whisperings of the Spirit. If we fail to recognize the first or second prompting, I pray that we feel that piercing voice in our souls directing us back to the Savior. Are we listening? Are our hearts burning within us? Many of the other days focused on teachings or events from the Savior's life and I feel this one subtly shifts to us. He is teaching- are we learning? When he is speaking to us- are we listening? When he is marking the path and leading the way- are we following in his footsteps?
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