Meanings of the Word "Hearts" in the Scriptures

Elder Holland Safety for the Soul

The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith. Then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days “men’s hearts [shall fail] them.”

Hearts and Desire

Elder Russell M. Nelson “Decisions for Eternity,” October 2013

We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!

Hearts and Understanding

2 Nephi 16:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed.

Mosiah 12:27

Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?

A Mighty Change of Heart

Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Alma 5:14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

A Broken Heart & Contrite Spirit

3 Nephi 9:19-20 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

2 Nephi 2:7–8 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

Hearts and Sanctification and Yielding our Hearts

Mosiah 4:2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

The Word of the Lord Written in our Hearts

Mosiah 13:11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.

Jeremiah 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Hearing the Word of the Lord in our Hearts

Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” October 2015

Addressing honest questions is an important part of building faith, and we use both our intellect and our feelings. The Lord said, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart.” Not all answers will come immediately, but most questions can be resolved through sincere study and seeking answers from God. Using our mind without our heart will not bring spiritual answers. “The things of God knoweth no man, but [through] the Spirit of God.” And to help us, Jesus promised us “another Comforter” and called Him “even the Spirit of truth.”

2 Nephi 33:1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

3 Nephi 11:3 And notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

Stony Heart verses a Heart of Flesh

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Satan Has Hold on the Hearts of Men

Helaman 6:30 And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness … from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

Helaman 6:17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.

1 Nephi 22:26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.

Mosiah 26:3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

Other Phrases

·         A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit

·         A mighty change of heart

·         Yielding our Hearts

·         Full Purpose of Heart

·         Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

·         My heart pondereth

·         Prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord

·         A forgiving heart

·         Trust in the Lord with all your heart…

Newer Quotes on Receiving Revelation

President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018

Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.

As you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.

Elder David A. Bednar, “Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept,” New Era, Sept. 2010

“Many of us typically assume we will receive an answer or a prompting to our earnest prayers and pleadings. And we also frequently expect that such an answer or a prompting will come immediately and all at once. Thus, we tend to believe the Lord will give us A BIG ANSWER QUICKLY AND ALL AT ONE TIME. However, the pattern repeatedly described in the scriptures suggests we receive ‘line upon line, precept upon precept,’ or in other words, many small answers over a period of time. Recognizing and understanding this pattern is an important key to obtaining inspiration and help from the Holy Ghost.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct. 1994

“We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment.”

Elder David A. Bednar, "“Hear Him” in Your Heart and in Your Mind," April 2020
I Hear Him in Many Different Ways

As I reflect on patterns that help me to “Hear Him, I remember that revelations are conveyed through the Holy Ghost in a variety of ways, including dreams, visions, inspiration, and conversations with heavenly messengers (e.g., Joseph Smith’s First Vision). Some revelations are received immediately and intensely, some are recognized gradually and subtly.

I Hear Him by Pressing Forward in Service

Hearing Him and receiving inspiration typically occur when I am following Him and acting in accordance with what He has instructed me to do.

I Hear Him through Righteous Music

The hymns that I love the most focus on the restoration and teach powerful doctrinal lessons. And in those messages, in both the music and the lyrics, you can “Hear Him.”  For me, music often is a channel for the voice of the Lord.

I Hear Him through the Scriptures and Sincere Prayer

Hearing Him is not complicated but is spiritually demanding and takes time. One of the ways that I can hear Him is in the scriptures. The scriptures are the pre-recorded voice of the Lord. It is hearing the scriptures in a feeling—a feeling in my mind, a feeling in my heart. For me, the scriptures are key in receiving and recognizing those thoughts and feelings.

As I strive to hear His voice in the scriptures, as I pray sincerely—not just saying prayers, but praying with a sincere heart and real intent—then according to the Lord’s will and timing I can be blessed in marvelous ways. 

I Hear Him Through the Holy Ghost

I have learned over time that one of the great blessings of striving to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost is that I can see myself as I really am. Such experiences are both painful and joyful. By the power of the Holy Ghost, thoughts come to my mind and feelings to my heart that can help me to see things that are going well and the things that I need to improve and do better.

I Hear Him by Recording Spiritual Impressions

Elder Richard G. Scott once taught me that spiritual knowledge, properly recorded, is available in times of need. As I record what I feel in my heart and the thoughts that come to my mind by the power of the Holy Ghost, it is like writing on “small plates” – my personal sacred writings. It is a pattern of hearing Him and recording the things that will help me to always remember what He said.

Perfection is Not Required to Hear Him

I think sometimes expectations get in the way. Pressing forward and doing my best does not require immediate perfection. Sometimes, I may think that a very dramatic spiritual impression is going to come. But most often His messages to me are quiet, subtle, and small. If I expect a big answer and I receive a series of small answers, I may not recognize them. And if I expect a loud answer and I receive many soft ones, I may not recognize them.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” April 2017

Our Father in Heaven knew that in mortality we would face challenges, tribulation, and turmoil; He knew we would wrestle with questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses. To give us mortal strength and divine guidance, He provided the Holy Spirit, another name for the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord. By divine assignment, He inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord. We have the sacred responsibility to learn to recognize His influence in our lives and respond.

President Monson has taught, “As we pursue the journey of life, let us learn the language of the Spirit.”¹³ The Spirit speaks words that we feel. These feelings are gentle, a nudge to act, to do something, to say something, to respond in a certain way. If we are casual or complacent in our worship, drawn off and desensitized by worldly pursuits, we find ourselves diminished in our ability to feel.

We must act on the first prompting.

Remember the words of Nephi. “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless,” he said, “I went forth.”¹⁶

And so must we. We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings—and we all have—we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten.¹⁷

Now a caution: don’t expect fireworks because you responded to the Holy Ghost. Remember, you are about the work of the still, small voice.

First promptings are pure inspiration from heaven. When they confirm or testify to us, we need to recognize them for what they are and never let them slip past. So often, it is the Spirit inspiring us to reach out to someone in need, family and friends in particular. “Thus … the still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things,”¹⁸ points us to opportunities to teach the gospel, to bear testimony of the Restoration and Jesus Christ, to offer support and concern, and to rescue one of God’s precious children.

Think of it as being what is called a first responder. 

If we let the Lord know in our morning prayers that we are ready, He will call on us to respond. If we respond, He will call on us time and time again and we will find ourselves on what President Monson calls “the Lord’s errand.”19 We will become spiritual first responders bringing help from on high.

If we pay attention to the promptings that come to us, we will grow in the spirit of revelation and receive more and more Spirit-driven insight and direction. The Lord has said, “Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good.”20

Elder Tad R. Callister, "The Power of the Priesthood in the Boy ', Ensign, May 2013

God’s answers come by the still, small voice—feelings of peace or comfort, impressions to do good, enlightenment—sometimes in the form of tiny seeds of thoughts which if reverenced and nourished can grow into spiritual redwoods. . . .

Elder Richard G. Scott, The Sustaining Power of Faith

You can learn to use faith more effectively by applying this principle taught by Moroni: “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Thus, every time you try your faith, that is, act in worthiness on an impression, you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger. The Lord knows your needs. When you ask with honesty and real intent, He will prompt you to do that which will increase your ability to act in faith.

Brigham Young observed, “God never bestows upon his people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them.”5 Personally, for some vital decisions I have experienced the grueling, anguishing struggle that precedes a confirming answer. Yet those trying experiences have been edifying. It is comforting to know that God will never try you more than you can manage with His help.

Faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used. Character is woven patiently from threads of principle, doctrine, and obedience.

Trust in the Lord with all Thine Heart - His Ways are Higher than our Ways

Sometimes when we have a decision to make, we think through all of our options and determine which way is the best choice. I have to remind myself that the Lord as "all power, all wisdom, and all understanding - His ways are higher than our ways! 

One day I was struggling with how to solve a family problem that had been on going for a while. I was worried, discouraged and sad. The words ""Why should this anxious load, press down your weary mind?" came into my mind. I couldn't remember the name of the hymn it was from, so I found the words online in the hymn, "How Gentle God's Commands." There have been many times since during hard challenges when I have reminded myself of those words.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Jacob 4:8,10 No man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom and in great mercy.

Mosiah 2:36 If ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered and preserved—

Abraham 2:8 My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore, my hand shall be over thee.

2 Nephi 9:20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

Alma 26:35 For he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

125    How Gentle God’s Commands

1.How gentle God’s commands!

How kind his precepts are!

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord

And trust his constant care.

2.Beneath his watchful eye,

His Saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard his children well.

3.Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne

And sweet refreshment find.

4.His goodness stands approved,

Unchanged from day to day;

I’ll drop my burden at his feet

And bear a song away.

Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751

Music: Hans Georg Nägeli, 1773–1836; arr. by Lowell Mason, 1792–1872

Women: Satan Distorts the Value and Role of Women

I was blessed to be raised in a home and then marry into a family where the role of women and mothers was greatly valued. I believe that men and women have God-given traits that compliment each other. I also think that Satan works hard to make women feel undervalued or convinces them they need to be more like a man to be equal. I love how the Gospel of Jesus Christ supports womanhood.

M. Russell Ballard, “Women of Righteousness,” Ensign, Apr. 2002

I am concerned about what I see happening with some of our young women. Satan would have you dress, talk, and behave in unnatural and destructive ways in your relationships with young men. The adversary is having a heyday distorting attitudes about gender and roles and about families and individual worth. He is the author of mass confusion about the value, the role, the contribution, and the unique nature of women.

Today’s popular culture, which is preached by every form of media from the silver screen to the Internet, celebrates the sexy, saucy, socially aggressive woman. These distortions are seeping into the thinking of some of our own women.

My dear sisters, we believe in you. We realize that you are the emotional (and sometimes spiritual) glue that holds families together. We believe that the Church simply will not accomplish what it must without your faith and faithfulness, your innate tendency to put the well-being of others ahead of your own, and your spiritual strength and tenacity. 

James E. Faust, “Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor”

“I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

One of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God-given divinity within each of you. Be proud of your womanhood.”  

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Moral Force of Women.” Oct. 2013

Certainly there are trends and forces at work that would weaken and even eliminate your influence, to the great detriment of individuals, families, and society at large. Let me mention three as a caution and a warning.

A pernicious philosophy that undermines women’s moral influence is the devaluation of marriage and of motherhood and homemaking as a career. Some view homemaking with outright contempt, arguing it demeans women and that the relentless demands of raising children are a form of exploitation.8 They ridicule what they call “the mommy track” as a career. This is not fair or right. We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy endeavor or career—we all benefit from those achievements—but we still recognize there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage. There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority, or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family. Whatever else a woman may accomplish, her moral influence is no more optimally employed than here.

A third area of concern comes from those who, in the name of equality, want to erase all differences between the masculine and the feminine. Often this takes the form of pushing women to adopt more masculine traits—be more aggressive, tough, and confrontational. It is now common in movies and video games to see women in terribly violent roles, leaving dead bodies and mayhem in their wake. It is soul-numbing to see men in such roles and certainly no less so when women are the ones perpetrating and suffering the violence.

Scripture Study: Three Methods of Study as taught by Elder Bednar

I read this talk by Elder Bednar after he gave it at a CES Fireside in 2007. I wanted to understand everything he packed into his talk, so I created an outline using his own words. These concepts  have really benefited by scripture study and have helped me notice connections and themes. This talk is definitely worth the time to read the full version: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1686.

Reservoir of Living Water: By Elder David A. Bednar, 4 February 2007

1.      Reading a book of scripture from beginning to end:

A.        Introduces us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles.

B.         Enables us to learn about major characters & the sequence, timing, & context of events & teachings.

C.         Exposes us to the breadth of a volume of scripture.

D.        The first and most fundamental way of obtaining living water.

2.      Studying by topic:

A.        We may identify and seek to find answers to important questions such as: 

• What is faith in the Savior? 

• Why is faith in Jesus Christ the first principle of the gospel? 

• How does the Atonement strengthen me to do things in my daily life that I could never do with my own limited capacity and in my own strength?

B.         Using the Topical Guide & Index allows us to explore the depth of the scriptures & obtain a much richer spiritual knowledge.

3.      Searching in the revelations for connections, patterns, and themes:

A.        It brings together and expands these first two methods

B.         This approach can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir

C.         Enlighten our understanding through His Spirit

D.        Produce a degree of spiritual commitment that can be received in no other way

E.         Such searching enables us to withstand the winds of wickedness in these latter days.

4.      Connections - a relationship or link between ideas, people, things, or events

5.      Prayerfully identifying, learning about, and pondering such connections—the similarities and differences, for example—is a primary source of living water and yields inspired insights and treasures of hidden knowledge.   Examples - The Connections Between:

   1. The Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 15:1–9)

   2.  A broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:20)

   3.  Understanding and the heart.

6.      Patterns - a plan or model that can be used as a guide for repetitively doing or making something.

7.      Typically, a scriptural pattern is broader and more comprehensive than a connection.   Identifying scriptural patterns helps us become acquainted with the mind of the Lord.  Examples – A Pattern of:

                                                              i.      Preaching the gospel (see D&C 50:13–29), 

2.  Avoiding deception (see D&C 52:14, 18–19)

3.  Constructing temples (see D&C 115:14–16)

8.      Themes - overarching, recurring, and unifying qualities or ideas.

A.        Generally, scriptural themes are broader & more comprehensive than patterns or connections. They are like essential threads woven throughout a text.

B.         Themes provide the background & context for understanding connections and patterns.

C.         This approach to obtaining living water from the scriptural reservoir is the most demanding and rigorous; it also yields the greatest edification and spiritual refreshment.  

D.        The scriptures are replete with powerful themes.  Examples:

                                                              i.      The central & recurring theme of the Book of Mormon is the invitation for all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”.

                                                            ii.      “If ...the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, & strengthen them, & provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.”

                                                          iii.      “In the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things.”

                                                          iv.      “Wickedness never was happiness.”

 

Using Technology to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The following paragraphs are excerpts from talk by Elder Bednar is what encouraged me to start this blog. I love the quotes he shares from various prophets about the technology that would be developed to help take the Gospel to all the world.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/to-sweep-the-earth-as-with-a-flood?lang=eng

The following is the text of the address Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered on August 19, 2014, during Campus Education Week at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

My remarks today [focus upon three] important topics: (1) the unique season in the history of the world in which we live, even “the dispensation of the fulness of times,” (2) the inspired technological and communication innovations that have come forth in this decisive dispensation, and (3) how we appropriately use these powerful tools to advance the work of salvation in all of the world.

The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times and Technology

We are blessed to live, learn, and serve in this most remarkable dispensation. An important aspect of the fulness that is available to us in this special season is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated the work of salvation.

In 1862 Brigham Young said: "Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it. It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 18–19).

In 1966 President David O. McKay prophesied scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. And further: "Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, as to make man’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 4). 

Please now listen to the voice of President Spencer W. Kimball, recorded in 1974, as he described the future of missionary work:

"I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse. … “With the Lord providing these miracles of communication, and with the increased efforts and devotion of our missionaries and all of us, and all others who are ‘sent,’ surely the divine injunction will come to pass: ‘For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature’ (D&C 58:64)” (“When the World Will Be Converted,” Ensign, Oct. 1974, 10–11). 

In June of 2013, Elder L. Tom Perry described the impact of digital technologies on missionary work. He said:

“When I was a young missionary, we were able to speak with contacts on the street and knock on doors to share the gospel. The world has changed since that time. Now, many people are involved in the busyness of their lives. They hurry here and there, and they are often less willing to allow complete strangers to enter their homes, uninvited, to share a message of the restored gospel. Their main point of contact with others, even with close friends, is often via the Internet. The very nature of missionary work, therefore, must change if the Lord is to accomplish His work of gathering Israel ‘from the four corners of the earth’ (2 Nephi 21:12).

A technology known as social media is evolving in our day and playing an increasingly important role in hastening the work of salvation. The Lord is hastening His work, and it is no coincidence that these powerful communication innovations and inventions are occurring in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Social media channels are global tools that can personally and positively impact large numbers of individuals and families. And I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father, His plan of happiness for His children, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world; to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days; and to accomplish the Lord’s work.

My beloved brothers and sisters, what has been accomplished thus far in this dispensation communicating gospel messages through social media channels is a good beginning—but only a small trickle. I now extend to you the invitation to help transform the trickle into a flood. Beginning at this place on this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood.