Look Steadfastly Towards Heaven

Look Steadfastly Towards Heaven

President Quinn’s Weekly Message

California Santa Rosa Mission

November 17th, 2025

We are taught an important lesson about receiving revelation in the early moments of the Savior’s visit to the people on the American continent. This account of the Savior’s visit provides us some of the most inspiring and tender events in scripture. In the first verses of 3 Nephi 11, we read that a large multitude of people were gathered in the city of Bountiful. Twice these people hear a “small voice” that “did pierce them to the center.” The people “cast their eyes round about” to understand the voice but are unable to comprehend what the voice is saying. The voice speaks a third time. On this third occasion, the people respond differently:

“… they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.” (3 Nephi 11:5)

Do you see what the people did to understand the voice the third time it spoke to them? Rather than looking “round about”, they looked to “heaven.” As they looked “steadfastly” heavenward towards the source of the voice, they were able to hear and understand its message:

“Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.” (3 Nephi 11:7)

Because these people looked to heaven for understanding, they received the greatest message available to all of us – Jesus Christ is the resurrected Son of God. The Savior’s life, Atonement, and resurrection fulfilled our Father in Heaven’s great plan of salvation. We can all be blessed to receive this same witness through the Holy Ghost.

This scriptural account teaches us an important lesson about receiving divine direction. Our Father in Heaven is the ultimate source for the most important truths in life. The Savior is our advocate and mediator to our Father in Heaven. We should look to Them through our prayers – and listen “steadfastly” for divine instruction from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

One of the lessons I hope you learn as a missionary is how the Spirit speaks to you. Chapter four in Preach My Gospel(Seek and Rely on the Spirit) provides inspired instruction for receiving revelation. Please study this chapter. President Nelson has taught us the importance of learning how to receive personal revelation:

“But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (President Nelson, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives, GC April 2018)

I invite you to look heavenward for answers to your questions and concerns. In teaching us about prayers that help guide us, Sister Quinn has taught “specific questions get specific answers.”

I testify that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I testify that He desires to be involved in the details of our life. Please remember to look “steadfastly” heavenward for divine direction in the ambitions, concerns, and desires of your life. I promise that your sincere prayers will be answered. The Lord has made the following promise to us:

“If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D&C 42:61)

I testify the Lord keeps His promises.

Love,

President Quinn

(630) 881-4030