Part one of this two part article was about the “still small voice” we can hear through the day to day mania.  It is something that helps us and guides us.  It’s not a loud voice nor is it often audible but it penetrates to our very core.  It is God’s voice, He speaks to us in order to overcome the demands of life, not just get by.  It has helped me on many occasions, for that I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father who speaks to me, just as He would any of His children.

This article is more about listening to the voice, for it is not an easy task.  I go through each day trying to battle the other voices that are much louder than God’s soft and subtle voice.  I lose myself trying to do this, I catch myself so far from God’s voice daily.  I will stop and think about the past few hours that went by where I did not pay attention to a single spiritual impression, obviously they are not a constant happening but they can come and I could easily miss one that could really make a difference in someone’s life.  There are people who go days, weeks, or years not paying attention to God’s voice.  This can happen for many reasons; it’s hard to hear, it takes effort, they are not aware that God speaks to them, they don’t want to listen,they are not ready, and the list goes on.  They are not to blame because it is apart of this process we set out for.

To hear God’s voice sounds simple, however it is a little more tricky than we think.  We in NO way need to be “worthy” or pure to hear God’s voice.  We are always worthy to speak to Him and to hear Him.  He will speak to all, guide all, love all, and help all.  It’s a sad thing to see people hurt because they think God is mad at them for their sins so they don’t even try to seek Him out.  Remember this: “…For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.” -2 Nephi 32:8.  We are entitled to our Fathers’ direction.  Like Jesus Christ said many many times, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” – Matthew 7:7.  If we want to hear the voice of the Lord, we can.

Here’s the catch.  Getting an answer from God isn’t like sending a text message where we get notified when He responds.  We have to be patiently searching for His answers.  This can be done any way you communicate with God and can receive your answers.  I call it personal revelation, you may call it inspiration.  For example if I ask God for inspiration on a big life decision, I am not going to sit there and wait till it all comes to me, that will never work.  I am going to read my scriptures, continue to pray and keep seeking His guidance until I am ready to receive His answer and He is ready to answer me.  Don’t be surprised when you ask to “move a mountain”  God gives you a shovel to start digging.  We are to seek His answers diligently, you see why it is complicated?  It will be hard to be aware at all times with the many distractions we face each day.  Plus God answers everyone personally, that means we all need to learn how God speaks to us, personally.

I promise that God will speak to us, we just need to listen carefully!