Hear Him

President Nelson opens by expressing gratitude for technology allowing worship during challenging times. He acknowledges recent disruptions like earthquakes, fires, floods, and plagues, highlighting that the light of Jesus Christ shines brighter amidst such tribulation. He emphasizes the potential for individuals to do good and inspire others to discover the restored gospel.

President Nelson shares his experiences meeting thousands of members globally, observing the gathering of Israel. He connects current times to prophecies, including Nephi's vision of the covenant people armed with righteousness and God's power. He declares that all are part of this prophecy and that Joseph Smith was foreordained as the prophet of this last dispensation, with revelation continually flowing during the ongoing Restoration.

He outlines the profound meaning of the restored gospel: eternal family sealing, the constant companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost, access to God's power, and blessings through priesthood ordinances and covenants. These truths provide an anchor during turbulent times.

President Nelson warns against the patterns of past civilizations that forgot God and rejected prophets. He notes that while great truths are declared, many do not embrace them due to misinformation or worldly pursuits. He contrasts the adversary's loud and boastful messages with God’s simple, quiet, and clear communication, emphasizing the importance of hearing Him.

He highlights instances where God introduced His Son with the simple command: 'This is my beloved Son: hear him.' These introductions often occurred during times of fear or desperation, indicating God's understanding that hearing His Son is what helps most amidst uncertainty. The word 'hearken' in the Doctrine and Covenants means to 'listen with the intent to obey' Jesus Christ's counsel.

President Nelson urges intentional efforts to fill daily lives with Christ's words, teachings, and truths, rather than relying on social media. He identifies scriptures as a crucial source for learning about Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and God's plan of happiness. Daily immersion in God's word is essential for spiritual survival and guidance.

He states that the temple is another place to hear Him, as it is a house of learning where ordinances teach about the Savior and one can communicate more clearly with heaven. He encourages temple worship and, during current restrictions, increased participation in family history work to enhance one's ability to hear Him. He also emphasizes cultivating the ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, who delivers messages from the Father and Son, confirms truth, and offers comfort.

Finally, President Nelson advises hearing God by heeding the words of prophets, seers, and revelators, who testify of Jesus Christ and provide guidance. He promises increased power against temptation, miracles in relationships, and greater joy for those who intentionally hear, hearken, and heed the Savior's words through His prophets.

He announces a new bicentennial proclamation, 'The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,' commemorating Joseph Smith's First Vision. This proclamation, a 'monument of words' rather than stone, was prepared by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

President Nelson then shares a video recording of himself reading the proclamation in the Sacred Grove. The proclamation solemnly proclaims God's love, the divine role of Jesus Christ, and the restoration initiated by God the Father and Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith following his prayer in 1820. It affirms the re-establishment of Christ's Church with priesthood authority and the role of heavenly messengers, including John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, and Elijah. It testifies to the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ and declares The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Christ's restored New Testament Church. It concludes by inviting all to know that the heavens are open and to gain their own witness of the Restoration's divinity.

President Nelson reiterates the significance of the bicentennial proclamation, which has been translated into 12 languages and will be available on the Church's website. He encourages private and family study of the proclamation, pondering its truths, and heeding its commandments and covenants. He bears testimony of Joseph Smith as a foreordained prophet, the restoration of the Church, and the living reality of God and Jesus Christ.