Area Presidency Message
Hear, Listen and Act
Two friends were walking along the side of a busy street, when one asked the other:
“Do you hear that cricket?”
The friend replied, “Are you kidding? How can you possibly hear a cricket with all of this noise?”
A few steps later they saw the cricket on a tree branch.
“It is incredible!” said the friend. “You have a superhuman ear!”
The first replied: “My hearing is as normal as yours. Watch.”
At that moment, he tossed a few coins to the ground, and all the people within ten meters turned to see where the tinkling sound was coming from.
The friend concluded by saying: “As you can see, it all depends on what one chooses to listen to.”1
This simple story introduces us to an extremely important concept if we associate it with spiritual development.
Let’s discover the meaning of hearing and listening.
Listening: The root of the Spanish word for listen comes from the Latin verb auscultare, suggesting the idea of inclining the ear, combining the Latin components auricŭla, interpreted as ear, and the verb inclinare, understood as inclining. In this way, we hear something when we pay attention to any type of sound, be it a message expressed in words or a noise that may have meaning.
Hearing: The sense of hearing allows us to capture the sounds around us. However, not all information is perceived in the same way, since sometimes we listen and sometimes, we hear. The Spanish verb to hear comes from the Latin audire.2
The verbs we use for these two actions, listening and hearing, may seem equivalent, but in reality, they are not. In the action of hearing there is no intention on the part of the subject, since the sound that is perceived is captured because the auditory system is healthy. In other words, the difference between listening and hearing depends on the attitude of the individual.
What do we learn from the scriptures regarding the invitation to listen?
Listening is an active verb, requires personal effort, and generally motivates or leads to action.
An example of this process is in the story of Philip the missionary and the Ethiopian. This man was reading a passage of scripture that was not clear to him.
Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian answered no and asked him to explain the meaning of the passage. He wanted to understand and unless he listened to someone who could explain and teach him, he would continue in that darkness that comes from ignorance. At the end of the meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian, the understanding enlightened the soul of the eunuch to the point of taking an action based on what he had heard, and he asked to be baptized. The light and joy of the gospel dispelled the darkness of ignorance3.
A beautiful story of hearing and listening to understand is found in the visit of the Savior to the American continent.
“And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple…
“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.
“And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
“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.
“And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
“Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.”4
For the assembled people it was necessary to sharpen their ears, that is, to make an effort to understand what was behind the sound.
In fact, the first message communicated by the Father at the beginning of this dispensation was related to the sense of hearing.
“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”5
In other words, Hear, listen, pay attention, put into practice, learn.
In the search for truth, all senses must align and pay attention until the message is understood.
In this period of pandemic, we have also been invited by our leaders to listen and to hear Him.
It has been and is an invitation not only to sharpen the ear, but also to act according to what we learn through the Spirit.
In the words of the Apostle James, we find an invitation as well as a warning about listening:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…
“He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”6
The Apostle James invites us through these words to act based on the knowledge received and not to be a forgetful hearer.
The forgetful hearer that James refers to is one who decides to enter a self-induced amnesia. He listened but decided that he did not want to take action on it and hence he became a forgetful hearer or a selective listener, meaning that he chooses what he wants to hear. He decides to deprive himself of the memory of something in particular, thus avoiding having to take action on it.
How can we be not-forgetful hearers?
The simple practice of praying, reading the scriptures, and meditating each day will provide us with the necessary spiritual sensitivity which will act as a propellant for action.
For example, if the message is about tithing, I would interview myself regarding my faithfulness and, if I have been forgetful about this topic, I would make the necessary adjustments so that tithing is at the top of the expense column in my accounting.
If the message is about every member a missionary, I would ask myself, “What can I do and what will I do to share the gospel with others?”
James’ advice acts as an alarm clock for consciousness. It is an invitation for introspection and sincere evaluation of how we are walking along the path of the covenant we made at baptism.
In order to train our senses and in order to make listening a habit, we can use the quote that Heber J. Grant often cited: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that our power to do is increased.”7
In other words, whether the achievement of a goal is spiritual or temporal, it is related to listening and then acting. Persistence, steadfastness in this purpose will help us to sharpen our senses and natural abilities.
Therefore, if I persist in praying every day with real intent, the result will be more fluid communication with the Father. It will be the same with the study of the scriptures and other Christian duties.
Doing so brings blessings:
“My son, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.”8
The condition for the achievement of these blessings is to give ear.
The invitation of our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, will help us to be attentive and not forgetful listeners of the Father’s commandments,
“We also hear Him more clearly as we refine our ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger. He will bring thoughts to your mind which the Father and Son want you to receive. He is the Comforter. He will bring a feeling of peace to your heart. He testifies of truth and will confirm what is true as you hear and read the word of the Lord.”9
Intentional and careful listening opens the door not only to spiritual experiences but also to miracles.
In the application of the principles of listening and acting, our testimonies will be strengthened and the blessings that come from these truths will be our manna from heaven and our living water. This will lead us down the paths of safety and prosperity.
By meditating on these truths, we can say like Samuel, “Speak; for thy servant heareth.”10