1 Nephi 17:45 "Spiritual Dead Spots"
President James E. Faust:
“Occasionally … we find dead spots where the signal coming to a cell phone fails. This can happen when the cell phone user is in a tunnel or a canyon or when there is other interference.
“So it is with divine communication. … We often put ourselves in spiritual dead spots—places and situations that block out divine messages. Some of these dead spots include anger, pornography, transgression, selfishness, and other situations that offend the Spirit” (James E. Faust, “Did You Get the Right Message?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 67).
1 Nephi 17:45 "Ministering Angels"
Dallin H. Oaks,
"The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament," Ensign, Nov. 1998,
37.
But the ministering of
angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be
delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described "the action of the
angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive … revelations from the eternal world" (Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987],
31).
Nephi described three
manifestations of the ministering of angels when he reminded his rebellious
brothers that (1) they had "seen an angel," (2) they had "heard
his voice from time to time," and (3) also that an angel had "spoken unto [them] in a still small voice" though they were "past feeling" and
"could not feel his words" (1 Ne. 17:45). The scriptures
contain many other statements that angels are sent to teach the gospel and
bring men to Christ (see Heb. 1:14; Alma 39:19; Moro. 7:25,
29, 31-32; D&C 20:35). Most angelic communications are felt or
heard rather than seen.
1 Nephi 18:10 "Responding In Righteousness"
Elder Robert D. Hales:
“To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34). …
“As we respond to others, each circumstance will be different. … As true disciples seek guidance from the Spirit, they receive inspiration tailored to each encounter. And in every encounter, true disciples respond in ways that invite the Spirit of the Lord” (Robert D. Hales, “Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 72–73).
1Nephi 18:9 "Dance, sing, speak with rudeness."
President Boyd K. Packer:
“We have watched patterns of reverence and irreverence in the Church. While many are to be highly commended, we are drifting. We have reason to be deeply concerned.
“The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music … with obscene lyrics blast[s] through amplifiers. … Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth. …
“This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.
“The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.
“Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit” (Boyd K. Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22).
