I received this email from the LDS Church advertising the October General Conference last month:
“One of the ways we can hear Jesus Christ’s voice is through His called prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders that speak at general conference. Think about questions that have been weighing on your mind, and then listen for answers the Lord will send you through His servants.“
I have a better way to hear the voice of Jesus Christ. Ask Him yourself. You do not need another man to tell you what the Lord wants you to do. Rather then think about questions you would ask the Lord and listen to the conference speakers for answers, why not try asking the Lord yourself and listen for His response to you? It is true that you can hear the words of Christ from a speaker, but its not the same as hearing His voice. Some might say, well the Lord doesn’t talk to me, but He talks to “modern” prophets. Here is what the Lord says about “modern” prophets:
“And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;” (2 Nephi 28:5)
You might argue the point that the modern prophets are not claiming there is no God, but I beg to differ. In essence their claim is that God does not talk or work with you directly except perhaps by sending you warm feelings, but He does communicate directly to the Prophet and Apostles. They claim that He has given His power to them. I can demonstrate this is true by pointing out that church doctrine explicitly states (Handbook of Instruction) that God’s forgiveness comes only after you have been cleared through men (Bishops, Stake Presidents, General Authorities). Worthiness to receive temple ordinances is also determined by men. Without the ordinances you are damned, you cannot progress in the Lord’s Kingdom. How, then, can you satisfy this plea from the ancient prophet, King Benjamin, if you are dependent on a man telling you what the Lord wants you to do:
“I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in you hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.” (Mosiah 5:12)
Christ stands at the gate and he employs no hired hand to operate the gate. “O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.” (2 Nephi 9:41)
And then there is this warning from Ezekiel against putting your trust in any man or woman: “Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men were in it [Noah, Daniel, and Job], as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall deliver themselves. (Ezekiel 14:14-18)
I am not saying that inspired men cannot speak to us the words of Christ and teach us the words of salvation. It is just that I am leery of someone who claims that they are the voice of Christ, as if that satisfies the commandment for us to seek His face and to hear the voice of Christ.
By claiming that you will hear the voice of Christ at conference, the church is confusing and obfuscating the need to seek Christ. Can the general authorities announce at conference the name that Christ will call you personally at the last day? The new name is not that name that you received during your endowment in the temple, and it will not be the Lord declaring His name, “Jesus Christ”. If you seek to hear His voice, not the voice of a surrogate, the Lord will eventually come to you and tell you the name by which you will be called (“…I will write upon him my new name” Rev. 3:12). But that won’t happen unless you have a personal relationship with Him. Sheep will only follow the voice of the master that they are familiar with. How familiar are you with the Savior? Believe me, if you have not heard his voice, you will be deceived, If the only voice you are familiar with is Russell M. Nelson, he will not be calling you into the kingdom. You will be left behind.