“Unto the Hearts of the Children of Men”

Church Educational System

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave an example of carrying the gospel “unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1):

“President Hinckley stated an important corollary to the command to teach by the Spirit when he issued this challenge:
“‘We must … get our teachers to speak out of their hearts rather than out of their books, to communicate their love for the Lord and this precious work, and somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those they teach’ [Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 619–20].
“That is our objective—to have love of God and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ ‘catch fire’ in the hearts of those we teach” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 103; or Ensign, Nov. 1999, 80).

Elder David A. Bednar explained that the hearer of the word must also be willing to receive by the Spirit: “Nephi teaches us, ‘when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth [the message] unto the hearts of the children of men’ (2 Nephi 33:1). Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart. A teacher can explain, demonstrate, persuade, and testify, and do so with great spiritual power and effectiveness. Ultimately, however, the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter” (“Seek Learning by Faith” [an evening with Elder David A. Bednar, Feb. 3, 2006], 1, www.ldsces.org; see also D&C 50:14, 17–20).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (2009 Edition)

References