How to Understand the Voice

After all the terrible and terrifying destruction and darkness the "more righteous" part of the people had experienced, they gathered themselves together around the temple in the land Bountiful and were talking about their experiences, and I'm sure comforting one another. They were also talking about the prophecies that had been fulfilled regarding Jesus Christ.

"And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, 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." (3 Nephi 11:3)

So the voice they heard, even though they didn't understand what it was saying, they felt very deep and poignant feelings about it. They knew that it was a powerful voice, and probably even an important message. I love this description of their feelings at this point. The voice wasn't loud or harsh, but it pierced them to the center and caused their hearts to burn. This is the Holy Ghost bearing witness of what they were hearing. So in this case, they had the opportunity to know the power and truth of the message before they even understood the message.

They heard that same voice again and they still didn't understand it.

"5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard;" (3 Nephi 11:5-6)

This is pretty significant if you ask me. To understand the voice (which turns out to be God's voice, introducing the Savior before he visited with the Nephites), the people who had gathered around had to open their ears and look steadfastly toward the sound. When they had done this, they finally understood.

I think it's important to note that the people weren't being wicked. They were gathering together as a group of the "more righteous" of the people (the ones who had escaped destruction). They were talking about Jesus and the words of prophets, who had prophesied of his death. They had gathered at the temple. Yet these people could not understand the voice of God until they opened their ears, and also looked toward the heavens.

When it's time for General Conference, when we get to hear the words of prophets, or at Church, during sacrament meeting and classes, or even at home, during family home evening or simple gospel discussions, are we (am I) opening my ears and looking toward the sound so that I can better understand?

I hope that I can work toward the goal of doing that better. I want to better understand the voice of God, and this seems like a good place to start.