When Elder D. Todd Christofferson was a teenager, he sincerely prayed for the kinds of answers the Prophet Joseph Smith received during his First Vision with Deity. Although he felt disappointed when he didn’t get an immediate response, his confirmation did come about six weeks later.
“I learned from that experience that you can’t tell God how and when He responds to our prayers,” the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a new #HearHim video. “You can’t dictate to Him. You have to say, ‘I’m always open, I’m always ready, I’m always willing to hear.’”
The video was shared on Elder Christofferson’s social media accounts and accompanies his blog articleon ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
In his blog, Elder Christofferson said he has learned that we can hear God wherever we are through sincere desire, a willingness to trust His timing, by writing down our experiences, and through pondering and quiet reflection.
“As I seek Him, He gives me what I need according to His wisdom, love, and understanding of my needs and according to my preparation to receive what He is willing to share with me,” he said.
The video and blog are part of the “How I Hear Him” series, in which leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share thoughts and experiences about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ speak to us.