How Do I Recognize the Lord’s Voice?

How Do I Recognize the Lord’s Voice?

There have been times in my life when I desperately wanted God to speak louder.

Not because He wasn’t speaking.

Because I was hurting.

I wanted neon signs.

Clear directions.

An audible voice telling me exactly what to do next.

Maybe you’ve been there too.

Standing in a situation you never expected.

Waiting for an answer that seems delayed.

Praying the same prayer over and over and wondering if heaven is listening.

I remember a couple of years ago when I was incredibly sick. So sick that doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I spent days in bed wondering what would happen next. My boys would come into my room after school just to make sure I was still alive. Even now, I can’t think about that without feeling the ache of what they must have been carrying.

During that time, I needed answers.

More than that, I needed Him.

So I started opening my scriptures every day.

Not because I had some amazing study plan.

Not because I felt strong.

I was simply desperate.

And what I discovered surprised me.

The Lord’s voice wasn’t loud.

It was steady.

As I studied scriptures like Elijah hearing the still small voice, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the people gathered at the temple in Bountiful, I noticed something beautiful.

The Lord rarely shouted.

He invited.

He taught.

He reminded.

He whispered.

Sometimes I think we miss His voice because we are waiting for something dramatic while He is offering something gentle.

A thought.

A feeling.

A scripture that seems written just for us.

A sudden peace that doesn’t make logical sense.

A memory that comes at exactly the right moment.

A feeling that says, “Keep going.”

One coaching tool I often teach is to pay attention to the fruit.

Not just the feeling.

Not every thought in our mind comes from God. Our brains are busy places. They offer fear, worry, insecurity, comparison, and worst case scenarios all day long.

So when an impression comes, ask yourself:

“What fruit is this producing?”

Does it create more fear?

Or more faith?

Does it lead me toward Christ?

Or away from Him?

Does it bring peace, even if the path ahead still feels uncertain?

The scriptures teach that revelation speaks to both the mind and the heart. I love that.

Because sometimes I feel peace before I have understanding.

Other times I gain understanding before I feel peace.

Either way, the Lord is patient with me.

One of my favorite things about 3 Nephi 11 is that the people didn’t understand the voice the first time.

Or the second.

It took repeated listening.

Repeated turning.

Repeated attention.

That gives me so much hope.

Because there are days I don’t get it right either.

Days I question.

Days I wonder.

Days I wish I had clearer answers.

Yet the Lord continues speaking.

Perhaps that’s the message someone needs today.

If you feel like heaven is silent... don’t give up listening.

Keep opening the scriptures.

Keep showing up in prayer.

Keep going to the temple.

Keep writing down impressions.

Keep making room for stillness.

The Lord’s voice is often quieter than the world, but it is also far more consistent.

And when you begin recognizing it, you’ll discover something beautiful.

He has been speaking to you all along.

You just might recognize Him in the peace.

In the light.

In the warmth.

In the gentle invitation to take one more step.

And perhaps that’s what soft hearted faith looks like.

Not having all the answers.

Just trusting the voice of the Shepherd enough to keep following Him.