GERALD N. LUND
Award-winning Author
Hearing the Voice of the Lord: Principles & Patterns of Personal Revelation
At the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants we read of a timeless and universal truth: "the voice of the Lord is unto all men" (D&C 1:2). The heavens are not closed, God is not silent, and each of us can, individually, receive specific and personal revelation from God that can bless us with direction, insight, and comfort.
But though we may recognize the need to have personal revelation to guide us in our life, many of us struggle with some fundamental questions: Do we recognize the various methods God uses to speak to us? Are we familiar with the guidelines that govern receiving spiritual promptings--and how can we really tell that it is the Lord speaking to us? How can we hear the voice of the Lord more clearly, more directly, and more frequently?
In Hearing the Voice of the Lord, Elder Gerald N. Lund provides reassuring and practical answers to these and many other questions: He discusses:
- ways in which revelation comes
- key principles that help us know how to "hear" and understand personal revelation
- what we can do to avoid being misled as we seek heavenly guidance
- how we can increase our sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Ghost
Hearing the Voice of the Lord provides profound insights into both the doctrine and the application of personal revelation. The Lord is speaking to us. Are we listening?
"I write because I love to teach."
--Gerald N. Lund
Faith, hope, and charity are known as the three great Christian virtues. And while we may feel as though we know how to exercise faith or extend charity, too many of us are overlooking hope—even though it is exactly what we are seeking.
Hope is more than an attitude of good cheer or a generalized faith in God. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf defined hope as “the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us.” In Look Up, My Soul, Elder Gerald N. Lund leads us through a discussion of the doctrine of hope in such depth and detail, and with such love, that we may be surprised at this unexpected and underappreciated power that is available to us.
Elder Lund talks about the realities of life in our day, the reasons many of us lack hope, and the need for hope in our time. He shares his insights on such questions as:
• What is hope?
• How does hope relate to faith and charity?
• How do we gain, strengthen, and maintain our hope, especially in times of despair?
• What role does the Savior play in our efforts to develop hope?
• What are the divine promises that foster hope?
Included in the book are inspirational and enlightening stories—from Church history, the scriptures, Elder Lund’s own life, and the lives of others who were willing to share their stores of hope—that invite us to look up and to find joy in the promises the Lord has made to us.
Hope is more than just a wish that things will get better; it is a power that makes things better. It is a spiritual gift from God, and with His help, we can make hope a vital and vibrant part of our everyday life and of our eternal spiritual survival.
Look Up My Soul: The Divine Promise of Hope
Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God
As Latter-day Saints, we know God exists, but sometimes we may wonder, “Heavenly Father, are you really there for me?”
When trials seem beyond our ability to bear, some people lose their spiritual bearings, while others are made even stronger. How can we strengthen our faith and deepen our testimony to the point that we can endure whatever life holds in store for us and emerge stronger than before?
In this unique book, Gerald N. Lund shows how having a correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes is essential to our ability to strengthen our faith and develop our testimony.
He also reminds us of how much God loves His children and that He “delights” to bless us, especially when we are striving to do His will. As and example, Elder Lund introduces the idea of a divine signature: “Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials.”
Throughout the book, Elder Lund relates stories — some from Church history, some from his own life, and some from acquaintances — that illustrate the inspiring and life-changing insights he shares. This book is a powerful blend of personal reflection and deep doctrine that will help us identify the tender mercies and “divine signatures” that abound in our own lives and which will lead us closer to God.
