Nourishing the Listener

 

A couple of “cowboy” Proverbs caught my attention:  

“Generally, You ain’t learnin’ nothin’ when yer mouth is jawin’”

And “Never miss a good chance to shut up.”

      We do not listen well in our society. As a child, our hearing was much more developed—to a song, to the rain on the roof. By the time we are adults, many of us lose this excitement. Just as you lose some sense of balance when your ears are plugged, your empathic ability decreases when you stop really listening to the world.

      “The other day, I asked a direct question to one of my kids, didn't listen to a single thing she said when she answered me—literally immediately—after I asked the question. And I'm like, ‘Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't even hear you.’ Her advice is to “pay attention to the speaker; observe the emotions and the body language of the speaker. Do not listen with the intent of solving, changing, or offering up your own viewpoint—for the most part, nobody cares; if they do care, they'll ask you. So, no judgment or evaluation.”  Stephanie Snuffer 

   “…only by listening can we see things as they really are…not only listen to others and the world around us, but to our bodies, our daily habits, and the voice of God.The reason we do not listen is because we are afraid to be moved--moved by emotion, by inspiration, or moved from our fixed positions.”   Glenda Green 

       “Our brains act as receivers for the mind in much the same way a television translates waveforms into pictures and sound.  Compare it to trying to take a TV apart to see how it makes old reruns of I Love Lucy.  If you throw your new digital set out the window and watch it smash into a million pieces, your favorite programs will still be floating through the air, even though you can't detect them with your senses. 

So it is, with what many call non-local mind, which implies that thoughts, memories and perspectives you hold will continue after your physical receiver shuts down and is buried in the ground.

There is also a similar point made with a cell phone.  Phone calls from millions of people are streaming down from satellites, going everywhere, including to my desk, but I do not hear any of them.  However, my phone is tuned so that it can register a certain pattern, start ringing and initiate communication.  It serves as antenna, tuner and amplifier.”  Linda Kohanov

People spend lives mentally preening themselves, constantly talking and thinking about themselves, so they can't properly perceive or hear.  When others talk, they don't listen, for they are listening to the incessant chatter in their heads…focused on the outpourings of what is often a fearful and disconnected mind--one that is missing most of what is going on.  Life becomes a blur, most can't describe what happened yesterday, let alone last week.

Some Suggestions from Andrei Ridgeway:

Music:  Find music that really touches you—makes your eyes water.  Once you’ve found something you like, devote yourself to some deep listening.  Use headphones, light a candle, close the blinds.  As you are listening, imagine tiny sensors all over your skin receiving the music.  Feel it, not just as sounds, but as a frequency, an intricate code channeling through your body.  Whatever emotions grab you, let them have their full expression.  After 10 or 15 mins, imagine the music as a liquid pouring into your heart, a green river healing painful emotions and feelings. Visualize a circle of heat where the sound can enter.  When the music is over, stay on your back for 5 minutes and rest in the space you have carved.  What is your body saying to you?

Try the exercise with both vocal and instrumental music.  See which one gives better results.

Listening to music enhances our receptivity. Whether negative or positive.

Poetry:     Watch the images of the poetry as they move inside you in slow motion.  Hear them, feel them, breathe them.  Feel each word as it slips from your body. Read and feel, savoring each phrase as you would a cloud or a strawberry.  Let your heart be the interpreter.  Simplicity and clarity are vital.   See if you can feel in your body what the writer is like in real life.  Often it is the feeling behind the words that moves us—not the diction that feeds our soul. This could be applied to scriptures, too—especially the poetry.

Listening to the World:  Practice listening in the midst of chaos.  Breathe slowly, imagine the sense of hearing encompassing the whole body. Visualize all the parts of your body listening.  Make yourself into a chamber of sound, a miniature auditorium.   

On the other end of the spectrum, go into nature and tune into the discreet hush and subtle frequencies of moving leaves, chirping crickets, trickling streams.

 

Observe body language.  Discover how blissful it is to be present while another person is communicating.  Listening is a sacred activity. Whether it be a siren of a fire truck, the wind, 

the laughter of a child—these are all voices, sounds from our Creator to guide us through the day.  Wind chimes, grandfather clock, birds.

Something about the human brain enjoys being in dialogue with itself.  The challenge is to separate the chatter from the intuitive voice. A lot of our insecurities, doubts, fears and anxieties are voices we have picked up from other people.  The obstacle is weeding out other voices…dot people, parents, media, friends. It is easy to absorb one of these voices and let it control our lives.

The voice that heals:   

One step you can take is to imagine someone who has real wisdom.  How would it feel for them to speak to you.  How would this voice reverberate in your body when it gave you advice.  This may be an actor, poet, singer, prophet, church leader.  How about Heavenly Father? Heavenly Mother? Jesus Christ? How about the Holy Ghost?  Talk to them.  Imagine what they look like to you.  Ask. Is it the same for everyone? Is it possible that the Holy Ghost is different for each person?   Can you REALLY receive it? Instead of just hoping it's around to guide you? 

The moment you awaken the possibility of having a wise voice available inside you, the voice will appear.  Invite the voice to speak to you and trust the process.  The moment you get a response, a nibble on the line, ask the voice questions, talk with it, ask for guidance in your daily life  If you are bombarded with mental chatter, take ten slow breaths and relax the body. The dialogue may be extremely subtle.  A wave of feeling will pass through and you will KNOW  what the voice is saying.

Take some time each day to listen. Sit in a quiet place and ask three questions about things to do in your future.  Start with small questions and work your way up.  What should I have for dinner?  Whom should I correspond with?  How is my mother feeling today?

Write down the exact answers the voice tells you.  If they resonate with your heart, make you feel good inside, then follow them and see what happens.

 

From Stuart Wilde about Sensitivity and Hearing:  

Sit on a park bench and just listen to what is going on around you.

Visualize yourself with ultrasensitive, big elf=like ears.  Tell yourself that you can now mentally move your ears and search for sounds.  

 

From Pete A. Sanders: 

What is psychic hearing like? Most of the time it is gentle and subtle, like hearing quiet music or a muted voice that speaks through headphones.  It may be mistaken for talking to yourself.    

 

From Kirk Duncan:

“Why would any sane human consider getting up at 3 AM?  Everything  is quiet and still.  It is a priceless time to connect with your higher power— 

Here are some suggestions on how to hear Heavenly father’s voice, sense impressions and listen.  Need to “tune in”.   Just like a radio station, there are different sounds on different frequencies. 

Sometimes, ohh wait, it gets messy, and can't be sorted out. Mixed messages are squelched. Now you give up and say God doesn't answer prayers.  If only you knew how priceless it was to hear a heavenly voice telling you are worth it.  

  Go someplace where there is noise like a mall, store or in nature.  Sit down. Be there 20-30 minutes.  Look around.  Notice.  As you're looking, tune in to those who are talking or giggling, all different things.  Close your eyes.   Tune into a particular noise.  Train yourself to tune in to that particular noise.Train your brain what to do.   It's a spiritual IV=Image/Voice.

While eyes are closed, imagine that talking or noise (pick one) sounds like.  Listening is imagining and tuning in.  Imagine all the details of that noise.  Then, pick another one, create in your mind what is going on. You are teaching your brain a skill…to pick out noise and fine tune. The voice is trying to guide you.  It's there telling you everyday.  Create the image in your mind.  It teaches the brain the skill of seeking “station".  If your current situation is still bad, then you are not done!  If you're in misery, do it! Own up to the fact, you are responsible for results. Quit blaming others.  Blame blinds you and you can't see what to do next!  3-4am is the magical hour. “  

From Celeste Headlee:  “How many of you have unfriended someone on facebook because they said something said something offensive about politics, religion, child care, food…?  How many of you know a person who you avoid because you just don’t want to talk to them? 

  This world we live in, in which every conversation has the potential to devolve into an argument. Politicians can’t speak to one another and even the most trivial of issues have someone fighting passionately for it or against it.  It’s not normal.  Peer research did a study of 10,000 American adults and they found that at this moment we are more polarized and divided than we ever have been in History.   

We’re less likely to compromise which means were not listening to each other.  

Conversation requires balance between talking and listening.  Some where along the way we lost that balance.

 

How to have better conversations:

1). Don’t multitask, be present in the moment. Be attentive.

2). Don’t pontificate.  If you want to state your opinion with no opportunity for response, write a blog.  Enter every conversation assuming you have something to learn.  True listening requires setting aside of one’s self. Sometimes that means setting aside your personal opinion.  Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.  Everybody is an expert in something.

 

3) Use open ended questions. Start questions with who, what, where, why and how.  If you put in a complicated question you’re gonna get a simple answer out.

4) Go with the flow.  Thoughts will come into your mind and you need to let them go out of your mind.  Your stories—let them come then let them go.

5). If you don’t know, say that you don’t know.

6). Don’t equate your experience with theirs.  It is never the same.  You don’t need to take that moment to prove how amazing you are or how much you suffered.  Conversations are not a promotional opportunity.

7). Try not repeat yourself.  It’s condescending and really boring. Notice your words. And your response.

8). Stay out of the weeds. People don’t care about the years, the names, the dates, all those details you’re struggling to come up with.  They don’t care.  What they care about is YOU—what are you like?  What do have in common?  So forget the details. Leave them out.

9). LISTEN.  The #1 most important skill you could develop.  “If your mouth is open, you’re not learning.”  “No man ever listened his way out of a job.” We would rather talk.  When we’re talking were in control.  I don’t have to hear anything I’m not interested in.  I’m the center of attention.  I can bolster my own identity.  We get distracted.  It takes effort and energy to actually pay attention to someone.  If you can’t do that, your not in a conversation.  Most of us listen with the intent to reply. Listen to your family's needs instead of telling them what you want.

10). Be brief.  “Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” FDR.  Keep mouth shut as often as possible.  Keep mind open and always prepared to be amazed.

 

From Mel Fish:

“The conscious mind is the mind of the body. To gain mastery over the body, one must learn to listen to that still, small voice, even when it is in direct opposition to the thoughts of the conscious mind.  

 

Listen to your own body and give it true nourishment.

Allow yourself to develop a conversational relationship with friends no longer with you.  Then include non-human friends, animals, plants and vital activities.  Most importantly, converse with God.

References:

Kirk Duncan, Compact disc recording, 3 AM

Pete A Sanders, You Are Psychic

Andrei Ridgeway,  Psychic Living 

Glenda Green, Keys of Jeshua

Linda Kohanov, Riding Between the Worlds

Stuart Wilde, Sixth Sense

Mel Fish, Healing the Inner Self

Stephanie Snuffer, talk on “Self Awareness”, 2022

https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation

Streaming the "Star Fairy"

   In 2008 or so,   I had been suffering with a cough for what seemed like months.  I was inspired to go through what is called "Heart Point Streaming Technique".  Briefly, it is a self or coach guided meditation--a spiritual/energetic healing modality.  Flows light energy through various acupressure meridians, organs and glands.  Taps into Wisdom sent through the Holy Ghost and buried in the subconscious. Nowadays, I always ask permission from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and ask for their blessing. 

For instance, with your head, with your brains, everybody in the world probably knows that white sugar is harmful to you. But, until you truly feel it in your heart, you’ll continue to eat it, and slowly poison your system.  With heart knowledge, there is no backsliding because what is awakened will stay awakened. You’ll be presented with opportunities to heal and let go of whatever comes up.

If you can learn to use this method to forgive, release and let go of the blame, you’re automatically going to soar. What kind of stories could be holding you back? Maybe it’s a story that your ancestors told over and over again before you even got here that set up some kind of energy field and you came forth with that story in your cellular memory.

There are five energetic points—Higher Self Point, Crown chakra point. Third Eye, Heart Point and Consolidation Point. Each one is given permission to open and blessed.  We get to an awareness of cellular memories of bliss when we were in a place of light on the other side.

Almost every issue involves some kind of story.   It's important not to get tied up in the story, but that we acknowledge the story as a doorway to healing.  At this particular time, I asked "What is the story that is affecting me today about my cough?"

I began prayer and called in Christ and all angel guides.  I cradled my heart point.   Felt gratitude for my beating heart, for giving me blood and life.  This spilled over into being grateful for my cough.  I was told this was important for healing.

I allowed light to trickle into my third eye and on down to reveal the heart's deepest need at this time.  I relaxed and let my mind find any kind of story or vision.  It began with a vision of a "star fairy" who appeared covered with stars on her gossamer gown and she had a crown of sparkling stars. The setting was a lovely forest with a hillside covered in small gemstones of every kind. She had discovered this "mountain" of stones. 

I watched as the fairy flitted around and gathered some of her favorites and found people inside and outside of the forest to show the stones to. She wanted to share their beauty and energy. She wanted to shout it to the world, but no one would listen. The people were busy with their everyday activities and either ignored her or dismissed her with "I don't have time for that." Any who happened by, just threw dirt at them and covered them up.  

 I felt the intensity of her emotion of rejection and dismissal. She had discovered something so precious.  Why wouldn't anyone listen? She felt like she had been squashed like a mosquito.

Around that time the fairy transformed into a beautiful woman about age 30 with dark hair and brown eyes and as she got closer to me in the vision, I  discerned her features and she looked like…yes, my Grandma Estelle.  The star motif represented her name which means star.  She smiled and introduced herself, then told me briefly of her life.  She married and gave birth to 4 children, the 3rd of which was my mother, Phyllis.  She raised the children during the depression and each day was a struggle, but she loved her children.  Just taking care of her home and family and even an outside job took every ounce of energy.  She knew she was gifted and talented, but never had the opportunity to express most of these gifts. She was raised with the idea that women shouldn't have strong opinions or be intellectual.  She always felt "second best", not worthy, not smart, always in an apron in the kitchen. In addition to sewing, she would have loved to paint, draw, sing and even perform.  I felt a connection to her.  I lamented that I never really got to know her in my growing up years. She lived with us during the last two years of her life and my memories of her include her emaciated body as she slowly died of cancer. 

I continued sending light and divine forgiveness to completely envelop and transform that story into one of more light. I asked for a new story to unfold.  What can I add to make it better?  I was reminded that gratitude and appreciation is a ticket out of most any hole. I really tried to find new joy in my heart.  I tapped those words into all the consolidation points and a new story emerged. This time the Star Fairy (Estelle) took some of her stones to the people and now others were so excited about the beauty and properties.  They took time out of their busy lives to hike into the forest, where Star showed them the hill of stones.  Now people were "finding" their own special stone and then taking it into their lives.  The stones seemed to set them free to pursue their own talents, whether it be sewing, painting, singing, performing, writing…. Then Estelle talked to me and said she was so pleased that I was pursuing my talents and to keep doing it. She talked about she was so stifled as far as creativity in her life.  She had so much more to offer. She said that she really loved horses, too, like her husband, but never got to do anything with them. After going through this and truly feeling gratitude for a cough, the cough went away by the next day.

 

Before this experience, Estelle’s husband, my Grandpa "Pop" had appeared to me in a dream on Jan. 30, 2006.  Here is what I wrote about it in my dream journal—  " We were going camping.  When we finally got in the vehicle, my maternal grandparents were in the front seat.  Pop was driving.  We discussed whether it was a good idea to have him drive.  Then he turned around and looked right at me.He was a very handsome man of about 45-50.  Dark hair and penetrating blue eyes.  “I know how to drive” he said, but we asked “but do you know the road to where we are going?”

“I can follow directions, besides you don’t know how many places I’ve been”.  (Not sure what all this means, but it was significant enough to appear in a memorable dream.)

In another dream, not sure of the date, Grandpa Pop told me he loved horses and that's where I got my love of horses.  He used to ride horses all over Morgan County.  My favorite thing to do when visiting him (when they lived in Salt Lake on Lake St.) was going into the basement and "ride" the beautiful saddles he had stored there.  No more horses for him, but he kept the saddles.  That is typical of a horse lover.   

In 2022, I was meditating in preparation for a generational healing, seeking to connect with ancestors, specifically, Estelle.  "Pop" came to me and  he expressed devastating emotions of grief. He told me about his favorite horse, “Joey”, who was injured and had to be put down. This brought up my own emotions of grief regarding my horse Mozzy who had to be put to sleep just a couple of months before. Also my grief at having to put my other horse, Ellie to sleep in 2016 just as we were moving to Wyoming. Pop also told me that he had been married before Estelle to his childhood sweetheart.  However, something happened, he didn't tell me what, but she disappeared. Not sure whether she died or just left him.  We haven't found any record of this, but it may have been "secret" for some reason. He did love Estelle, but still had those strong feelings for his lost love.

 My heart swells in gratitude for these visions and dreams.  Wow.

Hearing the Voice of God

  

There are many times when we are asked to pray about something and get an answer.  So, how do you get your answers?   When you were reading the Book of Mormon and received the witness of its truth, do you remember how that happened?  Did you FEEL it, or did a KNOWING just envelope you.  Or did you hear the spirit whisper to you, “It’s true”. 

There are four main ways of tapping into spiritual communication.  Those are seeing, feeling, hearing and knowing. You may have experienced some or all of them.  Sometimes it is a combination.  Smell and taste can also be added.   The Lord may also reveal His will to us through dreams, visions, the scriptures, even the words of other people, words to songs, etc. Spiritual information is always coming to us.  We are constantly gathering information through all of these senses whether we realize it or not. Think back on your experiences.  You may have journaled about these experiences.  If you haven't yet, then it's a good time to start. 

When people say "I see", they don't always mean with their eyes (physical or spiritual). 

They may actually mean "I get it” or “I understand."  We all really have two sets of eyes.  With our inner eye, we view the pictures or images in our mind.  We do not always choose the images that pop into our mind.  Someone slightly older than me remembered listening to stories on the radio as a boy.  The same stories as they came on TV were disappointing.   

The scriptures are full of such expressions as “The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened,” or “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart,”  or “I did enlighten thy mind,”  or “Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts.”  There are hundreds of verses which teach of revelation.

In the desert, Lehi instructs his family of the things he witnessed, his spiritual experiences.  When Lehi told his family of his visions from God, Nephi appeared to be skeptical at first, but had a GREAT DESIRE to believe!  He did cry unto the Lord and was visited.   

Although this visit sounds significant, it is then described. God’s visit was merely to soften Nephi’s heart.  No rushing wind, no parting veil, no thunder from on High. Nothing material happens at all. It consists merely of Nephi being able to set aside his skepticism.  He was able to believe his father’s message.  That is where it begins with each of us. Nephi’s desire to believe has changed to belief, but he does not yet have faith in the process. Faith requires action.  Nephi now takes action and bears testimony to his brothers.  He shows charity towards the hard-hearted. Then, Nephi receives more. The Lord spoke to him.  Now instead of feelings he received actual words in answer to his prayer. The important concept is presented here is that Belief involves a soft heart, but Faith requires action and actual communication in language. The movement in Nephi’s life changes from emotion, sympathy or feeling to words, dialogue and conversation.

 So how DO we hear the voice of God? 

   " All can “hear” God’s voice, but how it comes to each person may be different from how it comes to anyone else. …It can come to the mind; it can be “heard” in the mind; it is sometimes sensed in the impressions; it can come as a dream; … it comes from a source outside of man. It is often surprising and not at all what was expected.  These are not just “emotions” or “feelings”; rather, there is an intelligence to it which originates from outside of the person and delivers a message — not feelings, but a message.   The “voice” is clearly not one’s own and introduces ideas or concepts that are clearly not one’s own. …It is not audible, but one hears it inside…How He reaches out to you may be as…unique as you are, and you can be assured He is reaching out. In fact, God is rather noisy if you will allow Him to be. We were never intended to live without a direct connection to Him.  … Relying merely upon your ‘feeling’ or ‘emotions’ alone is insufficient;  learn to hear His voice.  All of the prophets…from Moses to Gideon to Elijah, received contact from God. They were certain Who it was that spoke to them. They obtained intelligence, heard His voice, and learned from Him. None of them relied upon mere ‘feeling’ but instead ‘heard’ words from Him. He spoke with them just as He did with Nephi.” 

Many of us are familiar with the story of Enos.   The account describes the intense emotion and desire that Enos had to reach the Lord. He not only prayed but “cried” out to God believing that God would hear his prayer.  

 A voice came to Enos’s mind —(Note his MIND) “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.”   

The prayers of Enos give a pattern of how to receive revelation. It is a struggle for most everyone as they learn this process. It occurs in the quiet places of our mind. We must learn to discern the Lord’s voice.    What things in your life require being able to discern God’s voice? How can we stay on our path of doing God’s will if we don’t know what it is?

So…once we believe (like Enos and Nephi,) and FEEL the Spirit,  how do we actually transition to hearing a word in our mind?   Perhaps begin with praying and asking simple yes and no questions—the kind of question which can be easily understood when answered.  

What would answers to Yes and No questions look like?  Think about the different ways.  (seeing the word written out, hearing someone say the word, feeling peace, seeing certain colors,  etc). Many times I have received answers in the form of a question back at me, such as  "Do you want to get into the house flipping business or do you want to do My work?" These "questions" came as words in my mind.   

  When we don’t get an answer, it is often because of the way we ask questions. If there are struggles here, simply rephrase the question.  

  What does it sound like when you hear a word in your mind? Most of the time it sounds like YOU!  It is more than an emotion or feeling. 

 

An example—Think in your mind the words “It is time.”  Whose voice is it?  Is it my voice?  Is it your voice?  Or is it actually a voice? Is it a thought? Do thoughts have a voice?  I believe that most of the time revelation comes as thoughts or feelings which are transmuted then into language and voice in our mind. 

  It is translated into words that you can understand. This is true no matter how we receive information at first—whether it be feeling, knowing, seeing or hearing. Some say they get a feeling as an answer.  Of what? The feeling or emotion is NOT the answer.  What does the feeling mean? It gives us information—the information is the answer. Sometimes the answers can be compared to a whisper in that they are still, quiet, and reserved.  But the language MAY come as a shout with power and great force in your mind,  An example of this is warning of danger.  But, in any event, clarity and understanding come through. 

My children’s ancestor, Amanda Barnes Smith had a husband and son brutally murdered at the Haun’s Mill massacre.   Not only did she endure this tragedy, but had another son Alma who was critically wounded when his entire hip socket was shot out at close range.  She was directed by a voice speaking to her.  She was told what to do to treat her son’s wound.  Later, she fervently prayed aloud.  She heard “a voice as plain as ever I heard one.  It was no silent strong impression, but a VOICE repeating a verse of the Saints hymn.

That soul who on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I cannot, I will not desert to its foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

The words gave her information, comfort and confidence.  It happened as a result of her heartfelt prayer. Although not a common means of communication, it is possible to receive a revelation by means of a clear, audible voice as Amanda did. 

When you hear the Spirit speak to you it may be a short phrase to make a point; a reminder; a warning; or even brief counsel. Usually it encourages you seriously consider something, or to take action.  When we hear a voice like this and it is from the Lord, it doesn’t mean that we will necessarily have a good feeling.

The Spirit can make us feel uncomfortable. Don’t assume its ungodly if we are inconvenienced or concerned.

Have you heard of a “stupor of thought?” When our thoughts are scrambled and confused; and we struggle to focus, often this is a sign that it is not from the Lord. In answer to a prayer, it may be a sign that we are trying to force the revelation, or even that the adversary is present. If you find yourself going back and forth between a stupor and clear revelation, calm your thoughts, and focus on the Savior. 

The next natural sequence is to have a conversation with the Lord.  But we hear the voice of the Lord in our minds coming back to us. It almost feels like we are having a conversation with ourselves, yet it is filled with holiness, virtue, and light. It doesn’t come about easily, but when it happens you clearly recognize it’s not the normal way things happen for you.    

So….what can WE do?  To receive revelation?  Place our trust in the Lord.   Alma  gives us  keys to detect revelation. We can tell by the fruits. He tells us that revelation or the word of God will begin to enlarge our hearts—there will swell within us a desire to be a better person—to go about doing good. You may remember the story of the Grinch—at first his heart was two sizes too small, and then as the Spirit of Christmas worked upon him, his heart enlarged.

  Everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good is inspired of God,  Understanding, comprehension, light and truth—these are the effects of the Holy Ghost. 

 The emotional response should be separated from the message. Does it enlighten? Does it impart knowledge? Does it cause a desire to change? Repent?

  Does it point us to coming unto Christ?    Does it call us to Love, Service, Gratitude and Forgiveness?

 Inspiration coming from God will call us to repentance, lead us to seek and emulate  Christ and show us our true calling. 

Have you ever heard of a marathon? 

How about a Prayer-A-Thon? (as compared to “marathon”.) As I pondered about a prayer-a-thon, I was advised that this prayer-a-thon doesn’t have to be all at once. We don’t have to complete all the mileage in one day.) As we have been counseled—pray always.  We can be in an attitude of prayer in almost whatever we are doing.  

Hiking, gardening, house-cleaning, showering, etc can all be turned into meditations and prayer-on-the-go.  The important thing is to leave Babylon behind. No internet browsing, no checking on the news, no social media, etc.  (Best to set aside another time for these.) Fast. (As in from food, social media, sugar—whatever encourages you to focus spiritually.) Remember especially to shield!— Inner, outer, & armor.   Express to the Lord your gratitude in detail.   Sing as many hymns as you can remember.  

  Pray and cry unto the Lord to be made clean, to know Jesus Christ so that you can be a servant. Pondering is a form of prayer. Think about what this means to you. Why are you here? What is your purpose?    

Another idea is to  pray for every one you know— Think of details and plead for them by name to the Lord. How about praying for even the person who has wronged you.  Ask the Lord for His will to be done in terms of healing and finding their way to Him.

A next step might be imagining yourself standing before the Lord.  Egos on the altar. Really, relinquish those egos and whatever else you need to sacrifice. See this in your mind as clearly as possible. Ask the question, “ Will you accept my sacrifice?” Keep asking until you hear the voice of God in your mind.      (The biggest challenge for me is to stay focused and not let my mind wander. When this happens, I dismiss stray thoughts by putting them in a cloud or a capsule and then get back to focusing.)

   The Savior is here for each of us and will not leave us comfortless.  Find Him as you never have before. Let the Spirit guide your actions.   

Again, these are just suggestions. Especially if you are having struggles with “hearing” the Voice of God.

  “There is no magic formula for communicating with God; no list of what is to be said or repeated.… He “gets it” even before man speaks.  Prayer is a way of …taking the time to be alone with Him. …Ask simply. It is not necessary to be elaborate or long-winded. State clearly what you believe you need. Accept what then comes in His answer. Trust He knows more than you. Trust He can give you what you need, even if you hadn’t even thought about it as a need…Talk like you are addressing your most intimate friend and have nothing to hide. Tell Him about your regrets, hopes, frustrations, concerns, fears, and confusion. Before long you will discover that whatever you care about, God also cares about. ” 

    We need to hear the voice of God.  How can we do His will or commandments if we don’t know what they are?  No matter HOW we receive revelation,—whether it’s feeling, knowing, hearing or seeing— the bottom line is the message.  Most of the time it has to be transcribed into language.  Some say they get a feeling as an answer.  Great!  Of what? The feeling or emotion is NOT the answer. The important thing is what does the feeling mean!  WHAT do you feel?  WHAT do you know?  What do you SEE? What does the image mean?  WHAT do you hear?  It can be audible like Amanda, but more likely it is in the mind as described in scripture.

 References:

Denver Snuffer, Second Comforter and Beloved Enos

Glossary, Restored Edition Scriptures

Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi , Moroni, Alma and Enos

Amanda Barnes Smith, personal journal

Pure Revelations Blog