Jehovah Calls Samuel, by Sam Lawlor
Ruth 1–4; 1 Samuel 1–3: Lesson 70
1 Samuel 3
“Speak, Lord; For Thy Servant Heareth”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
How well do you feel you can recognize the Lord’s voice in your life? One night the Lord spoke to the boy Samuel. With help from Eli, Samuel eventually recognized the Lord’s voice. He responded, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9). The Lord speaks to us too, and, like Samuel, we need to learn to recognize His voice. This lesson can help you seek and recognize personal revelation.
Study the Scriptures
President Russell M. Nelson stated:
One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind … is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children. …
Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 94–95)
Samuel’s experience learning to recognize communication from the Lord can help you recognize the Lord’s voice in your life.
Samuel was born to Hannah as an answer to her prayers. When Samuel was young, Hannah brought him to the tabernacle where Eli could care for him. One night, the boy Samuel had an experience hearing the voice of the Lord.
Learning tip. Some truths in the scriptures are clearly stated while others are implied, which means they are not directly stated in the verses. For example, from the story about Samuel, you can learn that the Lord speaks to all people. The Holy Ghost can help us identify implied principles as we ask ourselves questions like “What might the author of these verses have wanted me to learn?” or “What are some of the important lessons these verses teach?”
Study 1 Samuel 3:1–14, 19, marking insights and truths about receiving revelation from God. That “the Lord … did let none of [Samuel’s] words fall to the ground” (verse 19) indicates that all of Samuel’s revelations were fulfilled.
In your notebook, write one or more truths you found. Record a few details that helped you identify these truths.
The Lord and His prophets have explained many ways that He can speak to us. Study two or more of the following passages. Look for ways the Lord may communicate with you. You may want to tag these verses as “personal revelation.”
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How can I be better at recognizing revelation?
Heavenly Father really wanted to speak to Samuel. It just took time and learning for Samuel to recognize His voice. What might this mean for you?
Choose two or more of the following resources to learn more about how to better recognize the Lord’s voice.
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Doctrine and Covenants 6:21–23: Oliver Cowdery wanted confirmation of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon record.
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Doctrine and Covenants 9:8–9: Oliver Cowdery wanted to know why he could not translate portions of the Book of Mormon.
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Interview a parent or trusted mentor (like Eli in 1 Samuel 3:8–9). You could ask about their experiences in seeking and recognizing the Lord’s voice.
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If available, watch “Elder and Sister Bednar—Recognizing the Spirit” (8:12)
8:12
Record in your notebook what you learned about how to recognize revelation.
Remember, Heavenly Father may communicate with you in many ways. As you keep trying, you will become better at recognizing when He is speaking to you.
Option B
What can I do to show the Lord I am ready to hear Him?
Like Samuel, we can practice and prepare to hear the Lord’s voice. Think about what Samuel did to show he was prepared to receive communication from the Lord.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared four elements of a framework that can prepare us to receive revelation. Read the following and record in your own words the four elements he shared.
The scriptures form the first element of this framework for personal revelation. Feasting on the words of Christ, as found in the scriptures, stimulates personal revelation. …
A second element of the framework is that we receive personal revelation only within our purview and not within the prerogative of others. …
A third element of the framework is that personal revelation will be in harmony with the commandments of God and the covenants we have made with Him. …
The fourth element of the framework is to recognize what God has already revealed to you personally, while being open to further revelation from Him. (“A Framework for Personal Revelation,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 16–17)
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you seek and recognize personal revelation.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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What you learned about how to recognize personal revelation.
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What you learned about receiving personal revelation from Elder Renlund’s talk.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?