Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Ruth is one of the great books of the Old Testament. I love pondering on the many lessons that we can learn from Ruth. In your Come, Follow Me study of the gospel this week, I encourage you to spend significant time in Ruth. We don’t get many opportunities to study the lives of women of faith in the Old Testament. I also love one of the great lessons taught in 1 Samuel, and it is one of the most important things we can learn in this life. We all need to know how to recognize the Spirit and act on it. All of the quotes in this video can be found at BrotherMiller.org.
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: "The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.” ("That My Family Should Partake (1974), 86.)
Ruth: The book of Ruth serves as an appendix to the book of Judges. It tells of some nobler events that "came to pass in the days when the judges ruled" (Ruth 1:1).
Ruth 1:1 famine (ber ra‘ab from the root er ra‘ “evil”) There are thirteen famines recorded in the Bible. Scripturally, a famine of food is always in direct response to the spiritual condition of the country and follows a famine of hearing the word of God.
Ruth = “Friendship” – a Moabite, descendant of Lot (Abraham’s nephew)
Elimelech = “My God is King”
Naomi = “Happy”
Mahlon = “Sickley”
Chilion = “Wasted away”
Orpah = “Gazelle” Comes from ‘oreph = stiff of neck, obstinate
It was not just Ruth and Naomi, but Orpah that started the journey together. She not only decided,but she began the journey back to Bethlehem. Orpah begins the journey to the Promised Land, but doesn’t complete it. In Lehi’s dream there were many who started on the path but didn’t make it to the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8). In verse 10 we learn that her motivation is to return to Naomi’s people, not to Naomi’s God. It is in verse 16 that Ruth declares a desire to serve Jehovah. Orpah leaves in verse 14 to serve her gods.
Lessons from Ruth:
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort. ("Rise to the Stature of the Divine Within You, Ensign, November 1989, p. 94)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Carry on. Things will work out. If you keep trying and praying and working, things will work out. They always do. If you want to die at an early age, dwell on the negative. Accentuate the positive, and you’ll be around for a while." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/presidents-of-the-church-teacher-manual-religion-345/gordon-b-hinckley-fifteenth-president-of-the-church?lang=eng)
Elder John H. Groberg: “Maybe the reason we don’t have more hope is because we don’t give enough hope to others, if we want more hope, let’s give more hope to others—be more encouraging.” (“There Is Always Hope” (Brigham Young University devotional, June 3, 1984), 5, speeches.byu.edu)
The beginning of the barley harvest is the beginning of the Feast of Firstfruits and is a symbol of Lord’s ingathering (Exodus 34:22; D&C 4:4). This was celebrated fifty days after Passover, in Greek Pentecost (Num. 28:26). The Hebrew word for firstfruits is bikkuwr which comes from the root word bakar which also means firstborn.
While President Hinckley served a mission in England as a young man, he became discouraged. He wrote home to his father, expressing his concerns. President Hinckley’s father responded to the letter of discouragement. “He wrote a very short letter to me which said, ‘Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work,'” President Hinckley said. “Earlier that morning in our scripture class my companion and I had read these words of the Lord: ‘Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.’ (Mark 8:35.) Those words of the Master, followed by my father’s letter with his counsel to forget myself and go to work, went into my very being.” (Teaching of the Presidents of the Chruch: Gordon B Hinckley, p.8)
A Pattern in Ruth's Life:
Hap - (Heb hrqm miqreh from hrq qarah) - “good speed” “God’s hand is in it.” Ruth is divinely directed to this field. This field is a field that surrounds Bethlehem. Could it be the same field where the angels appear to the shepherds at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:8)?
Kinsmen (Heb. lag ga’al) – “A kinsman had the right to purchase (redeem) the land of a deceased relative, marry his widow, and produce offspring—the first of whom would be the heir of the man who had died. Thus a "redeemer" could restore to a widow a degree of security and status she could not of herself attain and even provide for continuation of the seed. Understanding this meaning deepens our appreciation for the prophets' use of the word redeemer to characterize our Savior (TG, "Jesus Christ, Redeemer"). (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 227.)
“To follow the plot, one must understand the Law of Redemption. In ancient Israel, land wasn't sold in fee simple, as we are used to. Since God was the real landowner, Israel was simply a tenant under conditions of obedience. When land was "sold," what the buyer received was only the use of the land, not clear title. There were conditions under which a kinsman of the seller could "redeem" the land back to the original family. These conditions were typically noted on the outside of the scroll defining the transaction. The scroll in Revelation Chapter 5 was written "within and on the backside," which identifies it as a deed subject to redemption. A Kinsman of Adam, in His role as a goel, a Kinsman-redeemer, is taking possession of what He had already purchased with His blood as the sacrificial Lamb. He not only purchased the land; he also purchased a Bride. In the Book of Ruth, Naomi is in the role of Israel, exiled from her land; Boaz is her kinsman, who performs the redemption of the land; and Ruth (a Gentile) is also purchased for a wife” (Chuck Missler, The Book of Ruth).
Requirements for the Kinsman-Redeemer:
A Pattern of Righteousness:
“The custom of ‘winnowing barley’ was as follows: The owner of the fields would go out with his servants to gather and thresh the grain. They took the grain to the highest point on his property, where there was a good, strong wind. By bringing the grain to the high point for threshing, it allowed the wind to carry the chaff away as the workers stomped and thrashed it. Whatever the wind carried away would settle down wind where the servants would then make large heaps of it. These chaff heaps were burned so that the land would be clean for the next growing season. if some wheat or barley had been blown away with the chaff, they also burned it. On the last night of the harvest, the owner would throw a party for all employees, to celebrate the end of harvest, to rejoice over their successes and to celebrate their home going on the next morning. It would be a great time of rejoicing together, with singing, dancing and eating. When the night was finished, they would lie beside the great mounds of grain in order to protect it from thieves. The owner himself, would stay right there every night during harvest, in order to protect his investment.” (Mary Sisseck, Ruth: the Hidden Pictures, 9)
Before Ruth, the bride, goes to her groom-to-be, she is washed, anointed, and clothed. She is going to the threshing floor. Later in 2 Samuel 24:18, it is a threshing floor that David buys to stop the famine. David’s threshing floor in Jerusalem becomes the foundation for the temple. Figuratively, the temple process will be like a threshing floor to us and will carry the chaff away from us.
“When Boaz awoke from his sleep (Ruth 3:6-9) by the pile of grain (which he and the others were guarding, as was customary at harvest time), he was startled by Ruth's presence. She was direct in her response, for the Hebrew word meaning "skirt" (Pnk kanaph) is also the word meaning "wing" see also Ruth 2:12, it is the same word. Her request therefore was not unlike our idiom, "take me under your wing": it was a proposal of marriage” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 228.)
Sister Aileen H. Clyde: “Ruth confidently met harships not uncommon in our time-the death of a loved one, loneliness in a new place, and the need to work hard for her bread. Her small efforts, linked significantly to a later great event, tell me that each of us can take seriously the importance of our daily lives and decisions as we choose to follow God.” (Sister Aileen H. Clyde, General Relief Society Presidency, Ensign, Nov 1992, 89)
1 Samuel 1-3
•Samuel (lawmv) = El God or ‘heard of God.’
•According to 2 Maccabees 7:27, the Hebrew mothers were in the habit of suckling their children for three years. When the weaning had taken place, Hannah brought her son up to the sanctuary, to appear before the face of the Lord, and remain for his whole life.
Elder Paulo R. Grahl: “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:12). The term Belial means “worthless” or “wicked” (see Bible Dictionary, “Belial,” 620). They were men of greed and lust. They used their authority as priests to extort from the people the best of the meat brought before them for sacrifice (see 1 Sam. 2:13–16). In essence they were taking their portion before giving a portion to God! They were also committing immoral acts with the women who gathered at the tabernacle (see 1 Sam. 2:22). Eli knew what they were doing, and when the people saw that the priesthood at Shiloh was corrupt, they “abhorred the offering of the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:17).
“Eli confronted his sons, “Why do ye such things? … Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (1 Sam. 2:23–24). Hophni and Phinehas ignored the pleading words of their father. They continued in their evil ways; Eli’s warning was too late, and Eli did nothing to remove them from office.” (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/06/eli-and-his-sons)
“One of the most important things you can do as a teacher is to help those you teach recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost. This is especially true when teaching children, youth, and new members—you are preparing them to receive personal revelation, avoid deception, and develop spiritual self-reliance. As prompted by the Holy Ghost, ask learners what they are feeling and what they feel prompted to do. Help them associate their spiritual feelings with the influence of the Holy Ghost.” (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-in-the-saviors-way/part-2-teach-by-the-spirit/teach-by-the-spirit?)
“How can I distinguish between my own psychological or emotional feelings and the still small voice of the Spirit?”
Elder Tad R. Callister:
President Dallin H. Oaks: “I have heard adult members of the church claim they do not have a testimony because they have never experienced a burning in the bosom. If I thought this scriptural ‘burning’ only referred to caloric heat, I would have to say that I have never had a burning in the bosom either. In fact, the verb burn has several different meanings in the scriptures. In some passages it clearly refers to the kind of burning caused by combustion. However, when burning is joined with the nouns heart or bosom, it is a figurative phrase, not a literal one. In this usage it does not seem to refer to heat but rather to intensity of feeling.” (Teaching by the Spirit, address at the MTC, 21 June 1988; see Ensign, March 1977, p.7-12)
President Harold B. Lee: “… that means that there was no prophet upon the earth through whom the Lord could reveal his will, either by personal experience, or by revelation. And it came to pass that Eli was laid down in his place and his eyes were dim, and Samuel the boy also lay down to his sleep, and you remember through that night there came a call, 'Samuel,' and thinking that Eli had called him he went to Eli's room to be told that Eli had not called him. And he lay down the second time again to be called, and yet the third time. And by this time Eli, sensing the fact that he was being spoken to by an unseen speaker, said, 'The next time that you hear, then you shall answer, "Here I am Lord, speak to me."'
“And so the next time when the call came, Samuel answered as he had been directed. Now it says, 'Samuel (up to this time) did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord revealed unto him.' And after he had recognized the Lord and said, 'Thy servant heareth,' then he was told that the Lord was to proceed to 'do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it, shall tingle.' And then he explained the reason why Eli could not receive further messages from the Lord. 'His sons make themselves vile, and he restrained them not,' or in other words he allowed his sons to curse God and therefore were leading the people of Israel astray." (Harold B. Lee, "But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet"—And I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 7 Feb. 1956, 2.)
Elder Boyd K Packer: "Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost” (in Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 33).
Elder Boyd K Packer: "That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does a sound." (in Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 44).
Sister Sheri Dew: “It is one thing to feel the Spirit – but it is quite another thing to receive information and direction from the spirit.” (OIR Devotional, 4 December 2009)
Elder Richard G. Scott: "I believe that we often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us when we are in need or when impressions come in answer to urgent prayer” ("Four Fundamentals for Those Who Teach and Inspire Youth," 14 Aug 1987, address to CES Religious Educators).
President Wilford Woodruff: "Men should write down the things which God has made known to them. Whether things are important or not, often depends upon God's purposes; but the testimony of the goodness of God and the things He has wrought in the lives of men will always be important as a testimony" (Wilford Woodruff, History of His Life and Labors, [1964], 423).
President Russell M. Nelson: “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D&C 42:61)
Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. (April 2018, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives“)
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: "The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.” ("That My Family Should Partake (1974), 86.)
Ruth: The book of Ruth serves as an appendix to the book of Judges. It tells of some nobler events that "came to pass in the days when the judges ruled" (Ruth 1:1).
Ruth 1:1 famine (ber ra‘ab from the root er ra‘ “evil”) There are thirteen famines recorded in the Bible. Scripturally, a famine of food is always in direct response to the spiritual condition of the country and follows a famine of hearing the word of God.
Ruth = “Friendship” – a Moabite, descendant of Lot (Abraham’s nephew)
Elimelech = “My God is King”
Naomi = “Happy”
Mahlon = “Sickley”
Chilion = “Wasted away”
Orpah = “Gazelle” Comes from ‘oreph = stiff of neck, obstinate
It was not just Ruth and Naomi, but Orpah that started the journey together. She not only decided,but she began the journey back to Bethlehem. Orpah begins the journey to the Promised Land, but doesn’t complete it. In Lehi’s dream there were many who started on the path but didn’t make it to the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8). In verse 10 we learn that her motivation is to return to Naomi’s people, not to Naomi’s God. It is in verse 16 that Ruth declares a desire to serve Jehovah. Orpah leaves in verse 14 to serve her gods.
Lessons from Ruth:
- Love, service and sacrifice (Ruth 1:16)
- When you know something is right, act on that conviction (Ruth 1:16, 2:12)
- Acting on your faith will deepen your relationship with others (Naomi and Ruth 1:17)
- Acting on your faith will increase other’s faith
- Don’t become bitter (‘Mara’) when things don’t work out as you had planned (Ruth 1:20-21)
- There is hope even in the most difficult times of life (Ruth 1:20-21)
- Follow patterns of righteousness
- Be humble when God blesses you
- If you feel a little bitter and life is crushing you, start with a step full of faith (Ruth 1:20-21)
- Our past does not determine our destiny (Ruth was a Moabite, poor, widow, childless and lived with her mother-in-law)
- Don’t discriminate (Ruth a Moabite).
- We can see Christ’s Atonement in this story
- Boaz a ‘kinsman’ – Heb ‘goel’ which refers to a kinsman who has the “right to redeem” or a “redeemer” (Ruth 2:1)
- Temple worship helps to carry away the ‘chaff’ in our lives.
- Character matters. Be a disciple even when you think no one is watching (Ruth 2:11; 3:10-11). She is called a “virtuous woman”
- It does not matter where we came from, but to be an instrument in God’s hand, it matters who we are today (Ruth 4:11-12, 17-22).
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort. ("Rise to the Stature of the Divine Within You, Ensign, November 1989, p. 94)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Carry on. Things will work out. If you keep trying and praying and working, things will work out. They always do. If you want to die at an early age, dwell on the negative. Accentuate the positive, and you’ll be around for a while." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/presidents-of-the-church-teacher-manual-religion-345/gordon-b-hinckley-fifteenth-president-of-the-church?lang=eng)
Elder John H. Groberg: “Maybe the reason we don’t have more hope is because we don’t give enough hope to others, if we want more hope, let’s give more hope to others—be more encouraging.” (“There Is Always Hope” (Brigham Young University devotional, June 3, 1984), 5, speeches.byu.edu)
The beginning of the barley harvest is the beginning of the Feast of Firstfruits and is a symbol of Lord’s ingathering (Exodus 34:22; D&C 4:4). This was celebrated fifty days after Passover, in Greek Pentecost (Num. 28:26). The Hebrew word for firstfruits is bikkuwr which comes from the root word bakar which also means firstborn.
While President Hinckley served a mission in England as a young man, he became discouraged. He wrote home to his father, expressing his concerns. President Hinckley’s father responded to the letter of discouragement. “He wrote a very short letter to me which said, ‘Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work,'” President Hinckley said. “Earlier that morning in our scripture class my companion and I had read these words of the Lord: ‘Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.’ (Mark 8:35.) Those words of the Master, followed by my father’s letter with his counsel to forget myself and go to work, went into my very being.” (Teaching of the Presidents of the Chruch: Gordon B Hinckley, p.8)
A Pattern in Ruth's Life:
- Move forward with faith and get to work (Ruth 2:2)
- No complaints.
- Be divinely directed (Ruth 2:3)
- We all rely on others (Ruth 2:7-9) just as we all rely on the grace of Christ.
- Stay humble when God blesses you (Ruth 2:10)
Hap - (Heb hrqm miqreh from hrq qarah) - “good speed” “God’s hand is in it.” Ruth is divinely directed to this field. This field is a field that surrounds Bethlehem. Could it be the same field where the angels appear to the shepherds at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:8)?
Kinsmen (Heb. lag ga’al) – “A kinsman had the right to purchase (redeem) the land of a deceased relative, marry his widow, and produce offspring—the first of whom would be the heir of the man who had died. Thus a "redeemer" could restore to a widow a degree of security and status she could not of herself attain and even provide for continuation of the seed. Understanding this meaning deepens our appreciation for the prophets' use of the word redeemer to characterize our Savior (TG, "Jesus Christ, Redeemer"). (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 227.)
“To follow the plot, one must understand the Law of Redemption. In ancient Israel, land wasn't sold in fee simple, as we are used to. Since God was the real landowner, Israel was simply a tenant under conditions of obedience. When land was "sold," what the buyer received was only the use of the land, not clear title. There were conditions under which a kinsman of the seller could "redeem" the land back to the original family. These conditions were typically noted on the outside of the scroll defining the transaction. The scroll in Revelation Chapter 5 was written "within and on the backside," which identifies it as a deed subject to redemption. A Kinsman of Adam, in His role as a goel, a Kinsman-redeemer, is taking possession of what He had already purchased with His blood as the sacrificial Lamb. He not only purchased the land; he also purchased a Bride. In the Book of Ruth, Naomi is in the role of Israel, exiled from her land; Boaz is her kinsman, who performs the redemption of the land; and Ruth (a Gentile) is also purchased for a wife” (Chuck Missler, The Book of Ruth).
Requirements for the Kinsman-Redeemer:
- Near of kin
- Be willing
- Possess the ability
- Free to do it
- Have the price of redemption.
A Pattern of Righteousness:
- Move forward with faith and get to work (Ruth 2:2)
- No complaints but have an attitude of gratitude
- Be divinely directed (Ruth 2:3)
- We rely on the grace of Christ
- Stay humble when God blesses you (Ruth 2:10).
“The custom of ‘winnowing barley’ was as follows: The owner of the fields would go out with his servants to gather and thresh the grain. They took the grain to the highest point on his property, where there was a good, strong wind. By bringing the grain to the high point for threshing, it allowed the wind to carry the chaff away as the workers stomped and thrashed it. Whatever the wind carried away would settle down wind where the servants would then make large heaps of it. These chaff heaps were burned so that the land would be clean for the next growing season. if some wheat or barley had been blown away with the chaff, they also burned it. On the last night of the harvest, the owner would throw a party for all employees, to celebrate the end of harvest, to rejoice over their successes and to celebrate their home going on the next morning. It would be a great time of rejoicing together, with singing, dancing and eating. When the night was finished, they would lie beside the great mounds of grain in order to protect it from thieves. The owner himself, would stay right there every night during harvest, in order to protect his investment.” (Mary Sisseck, Ruth: the Hidden Pictures, 9)
Before Ruth, the bride, goes to her groom-to-be, she is washed, anointed, and clothed. She is going to the threshing floor. Later in 2 Samuel 24:18, it is a threshing floor that David buys to stop the famine. David’s threshing floor in Jerusalem becomes the foundation for the temple. Figuratively, the temple process will be like a threshing floor to us and will carry the chaff away from us.
“When Boaz awoke from his sleep (Ruth 3:6-9) by the pile of grain (which he and the others were guarding, as was customary at harvest time), he was startled by Ruth's presence. She was direct in her response, for the Hebrew word meaning "skirt" (Pnk kanaph) is also the word meaning "wing" see also Ruth 2:12, it is the same word. Her request therefore was not unlike our idiom, "take me under your wing": it was a proposal of marriage” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 228.)
Sister Aileen H. Clyde: “Ruth confidently met harships not uncommon in our time-the death of a loved one, loneliness in a new place, and the need to work hard for her bread. Her small efforts, linked significantly to a later great event, tell me that each of us can take seriously the importance of our daily lives and decisions as we choose to follow God.” (Sister Aileen H. Clyde, General Relief Society Presidency, Ensign, Nov 1992, 89)
1 Samuel 1-3
•Samuel (lawmv) = El God or ‘heard of God.’
•According to 2 Maccabees 7:27, the Hebrew mothers were in the habit of suckling their children for three years. When the weaning had taken place, Hannah brought her son up to the sanctuary, to appear before the face of the Lord, and remain for his whole life.
Elder Paulo R. Grahl: “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:12). The term Belial means “worthless” or “wicked” (see Bible Dictionary, “Belial,” 620). They were men of greed and lust. They used their authority as priests to extort from the people the best of the meat brought before them for sacrifice (see 1 Sam. 2:13–16). In essence they were taking their portion before giving a portion to God! They were also committing immoral acts with the women who gathered at the tabernacle (see 1 Sam. 2:22). Eli knew what they were doing, and when the people saw that the priesthood at Shiloh was corrupt, they “abhorred the offering of the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:17).
“Eli confronted his sons, “Why do ye such things? … Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (1 Sam. 2:23–24). Hophni and Phinehas ignored the pleading words of their father. They continued in their evil ways; Eli’s warning was too late, and Eli did nothing to remove them from office.” (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/06/eli-and-his-sons)
“One of the most important things you can do as a teacher is to help those you teach recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost. This is especially true when teaching children, youth, and new members—you are preparing them to receive personal revelation, avoid deception, and develop spiritual self-reliance. As prompted by the Holy Ghost, ask learners what they are feeling and what they feel prompted to do. Help them associate their spiritual feelings with the influence of the Holy Ghost.” (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-in-the-saviors-way/part-2-teach-by-the-spirit/teach-by-the-spirit?)
“How can I distinguish between my own psychological or emotional feelings and the still small voice of the Spirit?”
Elder Tad R. Callister:
- Peace – “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23).
- An intent to do good - “Wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:13).
- Enlightened understanding - “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13).
- Increased love - The word of God and the Spirit have the capacity to “enlarge” our souls (see Alma 32:28), meaning, among other things, to give us a greater capacity to love.
- Burning of the bosom (see Luke 24:32, Doctrine and Covenants 9:).
- Delicious - meaning it tastes good spiritually (see Alma 32:28). In other words, we do not need external evidence to verify these truths or logic to prove them — we just “know.”
- “Fruit of the Spirit” - “joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “I have heard adult members of the church claim they do not have a testimony because they have never experienced a burning in the bosom. If I thought this scriptural ‘burning’ only referred to caloric heat, I would have to say that I have never had a burning in the bosom either. In fact, the verb burn has several different meanings in the scriptures. In some passages it clearly refers to the kind of burning caused by combustion. However, when burning is joined with the nouns heart or bosom, it is a figurative phrase, not a literal one. In this usage it does not seem to refer to heat but rather to intensity of feeling.” (Teaching by the Spirit, address at the MTC, 21 June 1988; see Ensign, March 1977, p.7-12)
President Harold B. Lee: “… that means that there was no prophet upon the earth through whom the Lord could reveal his will, either by personal experience, or by revelation. And it came to pass that Eli was laid down in his place and his eyes were dim, and Samuel the boy also lay down to his sleep, and you remember through that night there came a call, 'Samuel,' and thinking that Eli had called him he went to Eli's room to be told that Eli had not called him. And he lay down the second time again to be called, and yet the third time. And by this time Eli, sensing the fact that he was being spoken to by an unseen speaker, said, 'The next time that you hear, then you shall answer, "Here I am Lord, speak to me."'
“And so the next time when the call came, Samuel answered as he had been directed. Now it says, 'Samuel (up to this time) did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord revealed unto him.' And after he had recognized the Lord and said, 'Thy servant heareth,' then he was told that the Lord was to proceed to 'do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it, shall tingle.' And then he explained the reason why Eli could not receive further messages from the Lord. 'His sons make themselves vile, and he restrained them not,' or in other words he allowed his sons to curse God and therefore were leading the people of Israel astray." (Harold B. Lee, "But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet"—And I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 7 Feb. 1956, 2.)
Elder Boyd K Packer: "Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost” (in Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 33).
Elder Boyd K Packer: "That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does a sound." (in Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 44).
Sister Sheri Dew: “It is one thing to feel the Spirit – but it is quite another thing to receive information and direction from the spirit.” (OIR Devotional, 4 December 2009)
Elder Richard G. Scott: "I believe that we often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us when we are in need or when impressions come in answer to urgent prayer” ("Four Fundamentals for Those Who Teach and Inspire Youth," 14 Aug 1987, address to CES Religious Educators).
President Wilford Woodruff: "Men should write down the things which God has made known to them. Whether things are important or not, often depends upon God's purposes; but the testimony of the goodness of God and the things He has wrought in the lives of men will always be important as a testimony" (Wilford Woodruff, History of His Life and Labors, [1964], 423).
President Russell M. Nelson: “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D&C 42:61)
Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. (April 2018, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives“)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Lessons from Ruth. Spend time in Ruth. We don’t get many opportunities to study the life of women of faith in the Old Testament.
- One of the most important things we can learn in this life is how to recognize the Spirit and act on it.
- The invitation to keep the Lord's word from "falling to the ground" in your life.