0:00:07.670,0:00:09.960 (MUSIC) NARRATOR: This Brigham Young University— 0:00:09.960,0:00:12.450 Idaho devotional address by Sheri Dew, 0:00:12.450,0:00:14.355 CEO of Deseret Book, 0:00:14.355,0:00:18.430 was given May 17th, 2016. 0:00:20.780,0:00:25.620 SHERI DEW: Brothers and sisters, it is such a privilege to be here today, 0:00:25.620,0:00:28.590 and especially to be here with President and Sister Gilbert. 0:00:28.590,0:00:34.215 They are dear and treasured friends and they're remarkable exemplars. 0:00:34.215,0:00:37.985 Now, we're not here today to listen to me speak, 0:00:37.985,0:00:41.195 we are here to receive revelation. 0:00:41.195,0:00:45.080 So I invite you to invite the Holy Ghost to speak to 0:00:45.080,0:00:49.805 you so that you will hear what you need to hear. 0:00:49.805,0:00:52.010 A couple of years ago, a reporter from 0:00:52.010,0:00:54.140 an international broadcasting network visited 0:00:54.140,0:00:57.320 Salt Lake City researching a story on women in the church. 0:00:57.320,0:01:00.050 She was intrigued that a female was leading 0:01:00.050,0:01:03.485 a church owned media company and asked me for an interview. 0:01:03.485,0:01:04.955 I liked this reporter. 0:01:04.955,0:01:07.865 She had done her homework and she asked good questions, 0:01:07.865,0:01:10.450 though one of them was very predictable. 0:01:10.450,0:01:16.145 "How do you feel about not being eligible for priesthood ordination?" She asked. 0:01:16.145,0:01:22.025 I outlined the extensive leadership opportunities that women have in the church, 0:01:22.025,0:01:27.260 and then explained that as a woman endowed with power in the temple, 0:01:27.260,0:01:32.815 I had complete access to God's power or priesthood power for my own life. 0:01:32.815,0:01:35.830 And I explained that my focus had long 0:01:35.830,0:01:39.875 been on learning how to gain full access to that power. 0:01:39.875,0:01:43.500 She paused then and she asked, 0:01:43.500,0:01:51.455 "Are you saying that you believe you have more access to God's power than I do?" 0:01:51.455,0:01:54.190 Okay, that's a loaded question. 0:01:54.630,0:02:02.485 (LAUGHTER) My brain began to spin in search of a truthful but politically correct answer. 0:02:02.485,0:02:05.710 But that day, I could not bring myself to sell 0:02:05.710,0:02:08.770 our doctrine or our privileges as women short, 0:02:08.770,0:02:09.880 so finally I said, 0:02:09.880,0:02:14.940 "Well, actually, yes." 0:02:14.940,0:02:18.110 Now, do not misunderstand what I'm saying. 0:02:18.110,0:02:21.650 I quickly added, "I am not saying the Lord loves me more than He loves you, 0:02:21.650,0:02:24.530 and I'm not saying that I'm better than you. 0:02:24.530,0:02:27.590 I'm not saying that He's more likely to bless me than you, 0:02:27.590,0:02:28.895 but if you're asking, 0:02:28.895,0:02:33.515 if I believe that I have greater access to God's power than you do, 0:02:33.515,0:02:35.915 then the answer has to be yes. 0:02:35.915,0:02:38.060 That's one of the blessings of joining this church. 0:02:38.060,0:02:39.770 That's why we join the church. 0:02:39.770,0:02:44.300 We believe that when we make promises to God to follow His son, 0:02:44.300,0:02:46.490 He in turn makes promises to us. 0:02:46.490,0:02:52.470 And one of those promises is that He will give us greater access to His power." 0:02:52.480,0:02:57.175 As I spoke, the Spirit filled the room and it disarmed her. 0:02:57.175,0:03:00.445 Her demeanor softened noticeably. 0:03:00.445,0:03:05.090 And then she asked if I would tell her how the gospel has affected me personally. 0:03:05.090,0:03:09.185 In other words, she basically opened the door for me to bear my testimony. 0:03:09.185,0:03:13.750 I told her that Jesus Christ hasn't just made a difference in my life, 0:03:13.750,0:03:16.350 He's made all the difference; 0:03:16.350,0:03:20.960 that every good thing that has ever happened to me has come because of my membership in 0:03:20.960,0:03:25.505 His church; and that I have experienced the Savior's healing, 0:03:25.505,0:03:29.840 enabling, strengthening power again and again. 0:03:29.840,0:03:35.900 At that point, the spirit flooded the room and we were both in tears. 0:03:35.900,0:03:39.035 She finally could speak and she said, 0:03:39.035,0:03:43.730 "That's beautiful, I wish I could say that about my church." 0:03:43.730,0:03:46.620 And I said, "Well, we could help you with that." 0:03:48.310,0:03:50.960 (LAUGHTER) That day I experienced 0:03:50.960,0:03:56.045 the sublime beauty of standing as a witness and bearing witness of truth. 0:03:56.045,0:03:59.615 Consider the miracle of it: through the power of the Holy Ghost, 0:03:59.615,0:04:05.165 we can know what is true with enough confidence and enough surety to testify of truth. 0:04:05.165,0:04:08.780 We can only bear witness of what we know. 0:04:08.780,0:04:12.365 We can't testify of a wish or a hope or even a belief. 0:04:12.365,0:04:14.825 We can express a hope, a wish, 0:04:14.825,0:04:18.410 or a belief, but we cannot stand as witnesses of 0:04:18.410,0:04:22.160 Jesus Christ unless we can bear witness of Him. 0:04:22.160,0:04:25.970 We can defend the faith only if we have faith. 0:04:25.970,0:04:32.480 Our society seems determined to set aside any semblance of faith or right and wrong. 0:04:32.480,0:04:35.690 But the world's condition today is no surprise to the Lord 0:04:35.690,0:04:39.380 who told the Prophet Joseph that we are living in the 11th hour, 0:04:39.380,0:04:42.950 that this is the last time He will call laborers into His vineyard, 0:04:42.950,0:04:45.935 and that His vineyard has become corrupted. 0:04:45.935,0:04:52.565 But the Lord also declared that in the midst of all this moral and spiritual chaos, 0:04:52.565,0:04:55.550 the fullness of His gospel would be proclaimed by the 0:04:55.550,0:04:59.770 weak and the simple and to the ends of the world, 0:04:59.770,0:05:02.720 and He promised that if we would open our mouths, 0:05:02.720,0:05:04.505 they would be filled. 0:05:04.505,0:05:06.770 You and I are the weak and the simple, 0:05:06.770,0:05:11.780 but we're not here now by accident or without the Lord's endorsement. 0:05:11.780,0:05:13.415 President George Q. Cannon, 0:05:13.415,0:05:17.810 who served as a counselor to four Presidents of the Church, taught that 0:05:17.810,0:05:21.320 "because of the magnitude of the work to be accomplished, 0:05:21.320,0:05:26.585 it has required apparently the most valiant men and women to come forth now. 0:05:26.585,0:05:29.420 God has reserved spirits for this dispensation 0:05:29.420,0:05:33.290 who have the courage and determination to face the world 0:05:33.290,0:05:37.880 and all the powers of the evil one and to build up the Zion of our God 0:05:37.880,0:05:41.170 fearless of all consequences." 0:05:41.170,0:05:43.855 Make no mistake about it. 0:05:43.855,0:05:46.250 You're here now because in the beginning, 0:05:46.250,0:05:54.190 our Father chose you to be here now, and He has hard work for you to do. 0:05:54.190,0:05:59.665 How then do we strengthen our faith so that we can defend the faith? 0:05:59.665,0:06:03.590 Four years ago, a marvelous young woman who had just graduated 0:06:03.590,0:06:07.450 with honors from BYU called me, absolutely distraught. 0:06:07.450,0:06:09.975 Through sobs, she blurted out, 0:06:09.975,0:06:14.300 "I'm just not sure I believe the Church is true anymore, and I'm scared. 0:06:14.300,0:06:18.325 What if my family really isn't going to be together forever?" 0:06:18.325,0:06:21.285 I asked her, "Do you want to have a testimony?" 0:06:21.285,0:06:23.220 "Yes." She said. 0:06:23.220,0:06:25.020 "Are you willing to work for it?" 0:06:25.020,0:06:28.395 Again, "yes." And she was. 0:06:28.395,0:06:33.530 She went to work. She had a great bishop and an off-the-charts Relief Society president, 0:06:33.530,0:06:34.955 both of whom worked with her. 0:06:34.955,0:06:37.490 Friends and family came to her rescue, and 0:06:37.490,0:06:40.310 she and I began to meet for gospel study sessions. 0:06:40.310,0:06:44.525 I told her, bring your scriptures and every question you have. 0:06:44.525,0:06:49.055 Questions are good. Let's see what the Lord will teach us together. 0:06:49.055,0:06:54.485 She took me at my word and brought one thorny question after another. 0:06:54.485,0:06:57.830 Honestly, she brought questions I'd never thought of in my life. 0:06:57.830,0:07:02.585 We searched the scriptures and the teachings of prophets for answers. 0:07:02.585,0:07:06.380 Little by little, she began to realize that just 0:07:06.380,0:07:10.655 because she had questions didn't mean she didn't have a testimony— 0:07:10.655,0:07:14.150 the scriptures are filled with accounts of prophets who had questions— 0:07:14.150,0:07:18.245 and she began to recognize when the Spirit was bearing witness to her, 0:07:18.245,0:07:21.860 including and especially, bearing witness that prophets, 0:07:21.860,0:07:24.575 seers, and revelators are truly prophets. 0:07:24.575,0:07:29.495 Her testimony began to grow, and over time the crisis passed. 0:07:29.495,0:07:32.960 Then about a year ago, she called again. "Sister Dew, 0:07:32.960,0:07:35.600 I wanted you to be one of the first to know that 0:07:35.600,0:07:38.495 I'm holding in my hand a temple recommend. 0:07:38.495,0:07:41.425 Will you come when I received my endowment?" 0:07:41.425,0:07:44.265 Then she added, "Do you know what you said, 0:07:44.265,0:07:45.930 that helped me the most?" 0:07:45.930,0:07:48.150 Well, I had absolutely no clue. 0:07:48.150,0:07:52.250 She said, "You told me that questions are good, and that 0:07:52.250,0:07:57.520 allowed me to see myself as a seeker rather than a doubter." 0:07:57.520,0:08:00.935 I was just overjoyed with that conversation. 0:08:00.935,0:08:02.405 But then two days later, 0:08:02.405,0:08:07.090 I received a much different call from another BYU graduate. 0:08:07.090,0:08:09.150 "Sister Dew, " she said. 0:08:09.150,0:08:11.480 "Before you hear it from someone else, 0:08:11.480,0:08:14.810 I want you to hear it from me and to know that I am pregnant." 0:08:14.810,0:08:16.295 She was not married. 0:08:16.295,0:08:18.410 She said that for several years she had doubted 0:08:18.410,0:08:20.390 the truthfulness of the gospel and had finally 0:08:20.390,0:08:24.650 decided there was no reason to keep living the law of chastity. 0:08:24.650,0:08:27.860 I told her that I was not her judge, and that I loved her. 0:08:27.860,0:08:32.185 Then I asked her if she would like to have a testimony. 0:08:32.185,0:08:34.935 "No, I don't think so, " 0:08:34.935,0:08:38.860 she said. The contrast was stunning. 0:08:38.860,0:08:40.250 At about the same time, 0:08:40.250,0:08:44.600 these two young women had questions that threatened their testimonies. 0:08:44.600,0:08:46.655 One of them sent out a cry for help, and 0:08:46.655,0:08:52.535 family, friends and leaders followed President Monson's counsel and went to her rescue. 0:08:52.535,0:08:55.010 The other girl nursed her doubt and convinced 0:08:55.010,0:08:58.115 herself that her immoral choices were acceptable. 0:08:58.115,0:09:01.295 I love and deeply care about this girl, 0:09:01.295,0:09:06.380 but for now, she has chosen a spiritually perilous path. 0:09:06.380,0:09:09.875 One girl's questions propelled her to become a seeker of truth. 0:09:09.875,0:09:14.255 The other girl used her questions to justify her immorality. 0:09:14.255,0:09:18.665 My dear friends, my message today is simply, questions are good. 0:09:18.665,0:09:22.025 Questions are good if they are inspired questions, 0:09:22.025,0:09:26.000 asked in faith, and asked of credible sources where 0:09:26.000,0:09:30.340 the Spirit will direct and confirm the answer. 0:09:30.340,0:09:34.010 Nephi asked an inspired question in faith 0:09:34.010,0:09:37.580 when he asked the Lord if he could see what his father saw. 0:09:37.580,0:09:40.775 The Lord responded by showing Nephi the tree of life, 0:09:40.775,0:09:43.160 the iron rod, the great and spacious building and 0:09:43.160,0:09:46.005 mists of darkness, and the fruit of the tree, 0:09:46.005,0:09:49.425 which is sweet above all that is sweet. 0:09:49.425,0:09:52.035 And then the vision didn't stop there. 0:09:52.035,0:09:55.760 Nephi saw the birth, ministry, and crucifixion of the Savior. 0:09:55.760,0:09:58.295 He saw the coming forth of Latter-day scripture, 0:09:58.295,0:10:01.870 the Restoration, and the building of Latter-day Zion. 0:10:01.870,0:10:04.685 Nephi saw all this and much more, 0:10:04.685,0:10:08.060 only to return to his father's tent and find Laman and 0:10:08.060,0:10:11.925 Lemuel arguing about the meaning of their father's vision. 0:10:11.925,0:10:13.745 When Nephi ask them, 0:10:13.745,0:10:15.890 "Have ye inquired of the Lord, " 0:10:15.890,0:10:19.520 they gave the classic response of doubters: 0:10:19.520,0:10:23.390 "We have not, for the Lord maketh no such thing known 0:10:23.390,0:10:27.575 unto us" as though nothing was required of them. 0:10:27.575,0:10:32.900 None of us are entitled to revelation without effort on our part. 0:10:32.900,0:10:37.035 Answers from God don't just magically appear. 0:10:37.035,0:10:39.095 If we want to grow spiritually, 0:10:39.095,0:10:43.790 the Lord expects us to ask questions and seek answers. 0:10:43.790,0:10:47.045 "If thou shalt ask," he promised, 0:10:47.045,0:10:51.740 "thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge." 0:10:51.740,0:10:54.350 How much clearer can it be? 0:10:54.350,0:11:00.940 The Lord loves inspired questions asked in faith because they lead to knowledge, 0:11:00.940,0:11:04.390 to revelation, and to greater faith. 0:11:04.630,0:11:06.915 We all have questions. 0:11:06.915,0:11:10.560 Some are doctrinal, historical, or procedural. 0:11:10.560,0:11:13.625 Some are simply intensely personal. 0:11:13.625,0:11:19.550 Here are just a few questions that men and women your age have asked me recently. 0:11:19.550,0:11:23.795 Why am I the only one in my family who struggles to believe? 0:11:23.795,0:11:27.245 Should I serve a mission if my parents don't want me to? 0:11:27.245,0:11:31.415 Why did I spend all that time on a mission and not convert anyone? 0:11:31.415,0:11:37.000 Why can't I find the one? Yeah, tell me about it. (LAUGHTER) 0:11:40.200,0:11:42.610 We don't have time to go into that one. 0:11:42.610,0:11:46.360 (LAUGHTER) If I go 0:11:46.360,0:11:50.440 to graduate school, will the Lord think that means I don't want to get married? 0:11:50.440,0:11:53.275 Will I be able to provide for a family today? 0:11:53.275,0:11:56.800 Will the Lord ever forgive me for breaking my covenants? 0:11:56.800,0:11:59.770 I came home early from my mission, what do I do now? 0:11:59.770,0:12:01.660 How does the Lord feel about me? 0:12:01.660,0:12:04.645 Is a prophet infallible? 0:12:04.645,0:12:07.600 Did Joseph Smith really have more than one wife? 0:12:07.600,0:12:10.900 How do I know if I'm receiving revelation? 0:12:10.900,0:12:14.980 Do I dare get serious with a guy who has struggled with pornography? 0:12:14.980,0:12:17.350 Why can't women be ordained to the priesthood? 0:12:17.350,0:12:18.955 What's that about? 0:12:18.955,0:12:22.930 What if the Church's position on gay marriage bothers me? 0:12:22.930,0:12:28.160 How do I understand the temple when I can't even ask questions about it? 0:12:28.530,0:12:31.210 May I answer these questions and 0:12:31.210,0:12:36.325 frankly any questions you may have by posing a question? 0:12:36.325,0:12:41.485 Are you willing to engage in the wrestle— 0:12:41.485,0:12:45.835 in an ongoing spiritual wrestle? 0:12:45.835,0:12:52.075 Enos described the wrestle that he had before God to obtain a remission of his sins, 0:12:52.075,0:12:56.350 and Alma wrestled with God in mighty prayer. 0:12:56.350,0:12:59.080 Now, champion wrestlers tell me that it isn't 0:12:59.080,0:13:03.010 necessarily the strongest wrestler with the biggest muscles who wins. 0:13:03.010,0:13:09.145 It's the wrestler who knows how to leverage his strength to overpower his opponent. 0:13:09.145,0:13:16.600 Spiritual wrestling leverages the strength of true doctrine to overpower our weaknesses, 0:13:16.600,0:13:19.330 our wavering faith and our lack of knowledge. 0:13:19.330,0:13:21.985 Spiritual wrestlers are seekers. 0:13:21.985,0:13:26.455 They are men and women of faith who want to understand more than they presently do, 0:13:26.455,0:13:30.835 and who are serious about increasing the light and knowledge in their lives. 0:13:30.835,0:13:35.740 I recently engaged in a wrestle. When the policy was announced that the children of 0:13:35.740,0:13:40.885 gay parents might not be eligible for baptism at age eight, I was confused. 0:13:40.885,0:13:44.380 I did not question the brethren or doubt their inspiration, 0:13:44.380,0:13:48.340 but neither did I understand the doctrinal basis for the policy. 0:13:48.340,0:13:50.530 So I asked the Lord to teach me. 0:13:50.530,0:13:53.080 I prayed, searched the scriptures, 0:13:53.080,0:13:55.270 studied the teachings of prophets, 0:13:55.270,0:13:57.670 and pondered my question in the temple. 0:13:57.670,0:13:59.710 This went on for several months. 0:13:59.710,0:14:04.855 Then one day, a colleague made a statement that sparked a new thought for me. 0:14:04.855,0:14:10.945 And in that moment, the Spirit illuminated the doctrine in my heart and mind. 0:14:10.945,0:14:14.230 Now, I consider that answer that day, 0:14:14.230,0:14:18.565 personal revelation and not something I shouldn't necessarily teach. 0:14:18.565,0:14:24.715 I'll admit that I have wept with friends to whom this policy directly applies. 0:14:24.715,0:14:29.260 But understanding the doctrine gave me peace. 0:14:29.260,0:14:32.635 When we have unresolved questions, 0:14:32.635,0:14:35.860 our challenge doesn't lie in what we think we know. 0:14:35.860,0:14:39.205 It lies in what we don't yet know. 0:14:39.205,0:14:44.710 The Lord has promised to open the eyes of our understandings and to reveal all mysteries, 0:14:44.710,0:14:50.110 but he isn't likely to do any of these things unless we seek to know. 0:14:50.110,0:14:54.055 Dr. Truman Madsen taught that he could find 0:14:54.055,0:14:59.020 "nothing in the scriptures to excuse anyone from brain sweat, 0:14:59.020,0:15:02.590 and from the arduous lifetime burden of seeking 0:15:02.590,0:15:06.490 'revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge'." 0:15:06.490,0:15:12.355 He was describing an ongoing spiritual wrestle. 0:15:12.355,0:15:17.710 The Lord wants us to ask every probing question we can muster, 0:15:17.710,0:15:22.930 because not asking questions can be far more dangerous than asking them. 0:15:22.930,0:15:26.800 In other words, sin makes you stupid, 0:15:26.800,0:15:30.910 and so does refusing to seek after truth. 0:15:30.910,0:15:34.225 Remember my friend who thought she'd lost her testimony? 0:15:34.225,0:15:35.965 Her doubt was triggered by 0:15:35.965,0:15:40.390 a television drama featuring a scientist who didn't believe in God. 0:15:40.390,0:15:42.355 I said, "Wait, 0:15:42.355,0:15:46.750 are you telling me that a fictional character fabricated by 0:15:46.750,0:15:52.790 a Hollywood writer has obliterated 24 years of gospel teaching?" 0:15:52.980,0:15:57.415 "But that woman is so smart," my friend said. 0:15:57.415,0:16:01.510 There have always been and will always be charismatic men and 0:16:01.510,0:16:05.695 women who can launch what sound like on the surface 0:16:05.695,0:16:08.830 reasoned arguments against the Father and the Son, 0:16:08.830,0:16:11.455 the Restoration, the Prophet Joseph, 0:16:11.455,0:16:13.615 the Book of Mormon, and living prophets. 0:16:13.615,0:16:16.060 But doubters and pundits never tell 0:16:16.060,0:16:19.930 the whole story because they don't know the whole story, and they don't want to know. 0:16:19.930,0:16:22.165 They opt for clever soundbites, 0:16:22.165,0:16:24.520 hoping no one digs deeper than they have. 0:16:24.520,0:16:28.315 Soundbites will never lead to a testimony. 0:16:28.315,0:16:31.240 As seekers of truth, our safety lies in asking 0:16:31.240,0:16:35.055 the right questions in faith and of the right sources, 0:16:35.055,0:16:38.295 meaning asking those who only speak truth, 0:16:38.295,0:16:40.470 such as the scriptures, 0:16:40.470,0:16:44.030 prophets, and the Lord through the Holy Ghost. 0:16:44.030,0:16:47.945 President Spencer W. Kimball declared this: 0:16:47.945,0:16:50.890 "Why. oh, why do people think they can fathom 0:16:50.890,0:16:53.800 the most complex spiritual depths without 0:16:53.800,0:16:58.435 the necessary work accompanied by compliance with the laws that govern it? 0:16:58.435,0:17:03.400 Absurd it is, but you will find popular personalities, who seem never to 0:17:03.400,0:17:08.380 have lived a single law of God, discoursing about religion. 0:17:08.380,0:17:13.900 How ridiculous for such persons to attempt to outline for the world a way of life. 0:17:13.900,0:17:17.290 One cannot know God nor understand his works or 0:17:17.290,0:17:21.800 plans unless he follows the laws which govern." 0:17:22.260,0:17:25.045 Questions are not just good, 0:17:25.045,0:17:31.180 they are vital because the ensuing spiritual wrestle leads to answers, 0:17:31.180,0:17:33.985 to knowledge, and to revelation, 0:17:33.985,0:17:37.315 and it also leads to greater faith. 0:17:37.315,0:17:44.230 That's important because men and women of faith are expected to have faith. 0:17:44.230,0:17:46.870 While the Lord will reveal many things to us, 0:17:46.870,0:17:51.685 He's never told His covenant people everything about everything. 0:17:51.685,0:17:56.800 We're admonished to doubt not, but be believing. 0:17:56.800,0:18:00.940 But doubting not does not mean understanding everything. 0:18:00.940,0:18:03.595 Doubting is not synonymous with having questions, 0:18:03.595,0:18:06.715 to doubt is to reject truth and faith. 0:18:06.715,0:18:08.635 As covenant sons and daughters, 0:18:08.635,0:18:10.735 we are required to have faith, 0:18:10.735,0:18:13.270 to live by faith, to ask in faith, 0:18:13.270,0:18:16.720 nothing wavering, and to overcome by faith. 0:18:16.720,0:18:20.740 Learning by faith is as crucial as learning by study, 0:18:20.740,0:18:25.180 because there are some things we simply cannot learn from a book. 0:18:25.180,0:18:30.160 Elder Dallin H. Oaks underscored this truth in the recent general conference: 0:18:30.160,0:18:32.605 "After all we can publish, 0:18:32.605,0:18:38.515 our members are sometimes left with basic questions that cannot be resolved by study. 0:18:38.515,0:18:41.260 Some things can be learned only by faith. 0:18:41.260,0:18:44.350 Our ultimate reliance must be on faith in 0:18:44.350,0:18:48.590 the witness we have received from the Holy Ghost." 0:18:48.780,0:18:53.215 Thus, once the Spirit has borne witness to you 0:18:53.215,0:18:56.530 that God is our Father and Jesus is the Christ, 0:18:56.530,0:18:59.530 that Joseph Smith was a prophet called to restore 0:18:59.530,0:19:02.785 the gospel, and that we are led by a prophet today, 0:19:02.785,0:19:05.350 then you know the gospel is true because 0:19:05.350,0:19:10.045 the Spirit has borne witness of the foundational truths that comprise a testimony. 0:19:10.045,0:19:11.875 You have a testimony. 0:19:11.875,0:19:15.010 At that point, when questions arise or when 0:19:15.010,0:19:18.670 blessings you've been pleading for remain unfulfilled, 0:19:18.670,0:19:23.995 they are not an indication that you don't have a testimony or that the gospel isn't true. 0:19:23.995,0:19:27.325 They are an invitation for you to grow spiritually. 0:19:27.325,0:19:29.965 I repeat, once you have received 0:19:29.965,0:19:33.775 a spiritual witness of the truths that form a testimony, 0:19:33.775,0:19:39.280 even your thorniest questions about our doctrine, history, 0:19:39.280,0:19:41.335 positions on sensitive issues, 0:19:41.335,0:19:46.480 or the aching desires of your hearts are about personal growth. 0:19:46.480,0:19:52.420 They are opportunities for you to receive personal revelation and to increase your faith. 0:19:52.420,0:19:58.450 We don't have to have answers to every question in order to receive a witness, 0:19:58.450,0:20:02.695 bear witness, and stand as a witness. 0:20:02.695,0:20:05.620 But questions, especially the tough ones, 0:20:05.620,0:20:07.240 will propel us to engage in 0:20:07.240,0:20:12.115 a spiritual wrestle so that the Lord can continue to lead us along. 0:20:12.115,0:20:14.695 Without plain old spiritual work, 0:20:14.695,0:20:17.215 even God can't make us grow, 0:20:17.215,0:20:20.305 or at least He won't. 0:20:20.305,0:20:23.470 My life has been filled with spiritual wrestling. 0:20:23.470,0:20:26.680 Not because of any great valor on my part, 0:20:26.680,0:20:29.080 but because I have yearned to understand why 0:20:29.080,0:20:32.875 certain things were happening to me and why others were not. 0:20:32.875,0:20:35.950 For decades, I have fasted, 0:20:35.950,0:20:38.185 prayed, and pleaded for a husband. 0:20:38.185,0:20:39.805 I've asked who he is, 0:20:39.805,0:20:42.205 where he is, and when he's coming. 0:20:42.205,0:20:43.915 As of this very moment, 0:20:43.915,0:20:47.140 I still don't know the answer to any of those questions. 0:20:47.140,0:20:51.250 But, the ongoing spiritual wrestle has 0:20:51.250,0:20:56.020 blessed me with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior, 0:20:56.020,0:20:58.735 that His gospel is filled with power, 0:20:58.735,0:21:02.335 and that God will talk to me and direct me. 0:21:02.335,0:21:05.170 Growing spiritually and receiving answers to 0:21:05.170,0:21:09.040 our questions depends upon our ability to feel, 0:21:09.040,0:21:12.490 hear, and understand the whisperings of the Spirit. 0:21:12.490,0:21:14.890 It is worth engaging in 0:21:14.890,0:21:19.705 an ongoing spiritual wrestle to learn to receive personal revelation. 0:21:19.705,0:21:24.160 Because we can only know what is true when the Spirit bears witness 0:21:24.160,0:21:28.930 to our hearts and our minds as only the Holy Ghost can. 0:21:28.930,0:21:31.210 Revelation must include both 0:21:31.210,0:21:34.540 because intellect alone cannot produce a testimony. 0:21:34.540,0:21:37.600 You cannot think your way to conversion 0:21:37.600,0:21:42.130 because you cannot convince your mind of something your heart does not feel. 0:21:42.130,0:21:49.960 The Prophet Joseph declared that "The Holy Ghost comprehends more than all the world." 0:21:49.960,0:21:56.380 And then he said that we must all grow into the principle of revelation. 0:21:56.380,0:21:59.830 And President Henry B. Eyring added this: 0:21:59.830,0:22:04.090 "We all know that human judgment and logical thinking will not be 0:22:04.090,0:22:08.260 enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. 0:22:08.260,0:22:10.525 We need revelation from God. 0:22:10.525,0:22:13.360 We need not just one flash of light and comfort, 0:22:13.360,0:22:18.880 but we need the continuing blessing of communication with God." 0:22:18.880,0:22:23.710 Every truth-seeking member of the Church can and 0:22:23.710,0:22:28.450 should be receiving revelation for his or her life. 0:22:28.450,0:22:30.280 In my early 20s, I faced 0:22:30.280,0:22:34.300 a difficult decision and asked a friend for a priesthood blessing. 0:22:34.300,0:22:37.255 He asked what the Lord had already told me, 0:22:37.255,0:22:40.420 and I admitted that I could feel the presence of the Spirit, 0:22:40.420,0:22:43.420 but I couldn't discern specific revelation. 0:22:43.420,0:22:46.900 He then asked if I had ever asked the Lord to teach me 0:22:46.900,0:22:50.380 what it felt like when He was speaking to me. 0:22:50.380,0:22:52.015 Well, I hadn't. 0:22:52.015,0:22:58.495 But that night, I began to ask the Lord to teach me the language of revelation. 0:22:58.495,0:23:00.565 That was 40 years ago. 0:23:00.565,0:23:06.310 And over time, I have come to know that what President Boyd K. Packer taught is true. 0:23:06.310,0:23:09.340 That ''if all you know is what you can see with 0:23:09.340,0:23:12.790 your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, 0:23:12.790,0:23:16.670 then you will not know very much." 0:23:17.370,0:23:23.905 Seekers have certain habits that are key to learning to communicate with God. 0:23:23.905,0:23:26.905 For starters, they engage in the wrestle, 0:23:26.905,0:23:28.645 meaning they work at it. 0:23:28.645,0:23:31.330 They immerse themselves regularly in the scriptures 0:23:31.330,0:23:34.915 because the scriptures are the textbook for the Lord's language. 0:23:34.915,0:23:38.725 They also work to be increasingly pure— 0:23:38.725,0:23:40.765 pure in their heart and thoughts; 0:23:40.765,0:23:42.190 pure in what they say, 0:23:42.190,0:23:44.695 watch, read, and listen to. 0:23:44.695,0:23:47.680 Purity invites the Spirit. 0:23:47.680,0:23:51.805 And then, pure seekers listen. 0:23:51.805,0:23:57.265 One of my former institute students periodically turns off everything electronic. 0:23:57.265,0:23:59.575 TV off, music off, 0:23:59.575,0:24:03.070 phone off, computer off, iPad off. 0:24:03.070,0:24:07.540 She says, "I like to let the Lord know, I'm listening." 0:24:07.540,0:24:10.780 As you cultivate these spiritual habits, 0:24:10.780,0:24:13.810 there are two questions—actually more than that— 0:24:13.810,0:24:17.035 but there are at least two questions that will help open the heavens. 0:24:17.035,0:24:22.390 First, ask the Lord to teach you what it feels and sounds like for 0:24:22.390,0:24:29.395 you when He is speaking to you via the Holy Ghost, and then watch how He tutors you. 0:24:29.395,0:24:34.315 And second, if you've never asked the Lord how He feels about you, 0:24:34.315,0:24:37.840 that is a great question to ask. 0:24:37.840,0:24:39.730 In time and over time, 0:24:39.730,0:24:41.140 He will tell you. 0:24:41.140,0:24:46.750 And as He does, you'll learn more and more about speaking His language. 0:24:46.750,0:24:50.170 When the Lord sees that you want to communicate with Him, 0:24:50.170,0:24:52.870 He will teach you how. 0:24:52.870,0:24:57.640 Recently, a friend working on her PhD received an impression 0:24:57.640,0:25:02.185 during a Relief Society Conference to shift the focus of her dissertation. 0:25:02.185,0:25:05.380 She also felt prompted during that conference to go 0:25:05.380,0:25:09.205 directly to the temple to ask the Lord further questions. 0:25:09.205,0:25:10.945 She said, "While there, 0:25:10.945,0:25:14.770 I was told how to make this new focus work and how I 0:25:14.770,0:25:19.145 could be both academically unbiased and spiritually honest. 0:25:19.145,0:25:22.545 I occasionally receive clear words from the Spirit," she said, 0:25:22.545,0:25:26.135 "but never have I been given such clear instructions. 0:25:26.135,0:25:29.260 The task ahead feels incredibly difficult, 0:25:29.260,0:25:33.730 but I know what direction to go and that the Lord expects it of me, 0:25:33.730,0:25:37.250 and that makes all the difference." 0:25:37.470,0:25:43.885 Receiving revelation is the key to receiving answers to our questions. 0:25:43.885,0:25:49.360 Joseph Smith promised that "even the least Saint may 0:25:49.360,0:25:55.360 know all things as fast as he is able to bear them." 0:25:55.360,0:25:59.200 My dear friends, make no mistake about it. 0:25:59.200,0:26:02.470 We are here now because we're supposed to be here now, 0:26:02.470,0:26:05.950 and we each have a mission to fulfill. 0:26:05.950,0:26:07.765 Part of that mission 0:26:07.765,0:26:15.850 —a really important part of that mission—is to stand as witnesses of truth. 0:26:15.850,0:26:19.480 And that means we must receive a witness that Jesus is 0:26:19.480,0:26:23.785 the Christ and that His gospel has been restored. 0:26:23.785,0:26:26.605 I invite you to decide 0:26:26.605,0:26:31.990 today that you will pay the price to wrestle with difficult questions, 0:26:31.990,0:26:35.395 to become lifetime seekers of truth, 0:26:35.395,0:26:38.755 to learn to speak the Lord's language, 0:26:38.755,0:26:44.815 and to receive a witness of Jesus Christ and the restoration of His gospel. 0:26:44.815,0:26:46.360 If you will, 0:26:46.360,0:26:51.355 you will have the privilege of helping prepare the Earth for His return. 0:26:51.355,0:26:57.760 You'll be able to defend the faith because of your ever increasing faith. 0:26:57.760,0:27:00.985 The Savior is going to come again. 0:27:00.985,0:27:05.305 May we stand for Him and with Him. 0:27:05.305,0:27:08.260 I testify that God is our Father, 0:27:08.260,0:27:10.765 that Jesus is the Christ. 0:27:10.765,0:27:12.280 This is His church, 0:27:12.280,0:27:17.080 it has been restored, and it is filled with His power, 0:27:17.080,0:27:21.685 and if we want to communicate with heaven and receive answers to our questions, 0:27:21.685,0:27:25.915 I testify the heavens will open, and we can learn 0:27:25.915,0:27:30.595 and stand as witnesses in the name of Jesus Christ, 0:27:30.595,0:27:40.420 amen. (MUSIC) 0:27:40.420,0:27:42.250 NARRATOR: For more information about this program, 0:27:42.250,0:27:47.420 please visit the BYU-Idaho website at www.byui.edu/devotionalsandspeeches. 0:27:48.440,0:28:00.294 (MUSIC)