Spiritual knowledge is learned by the Spirit, but an understanding of how the Spirit operates can be taught verbally, said Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve in his address at the missionary devotional June 20, which is part of the Mission Presidents Seminar.

"We cannot express spiritual knowledge in words alone," he explained. "We can, however, with words show another how to prepare for the reception of the Spirit. The Spirit itself will help. `. . .for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.' (2 Ne. 33:1.)"The scriptures generally use the word `voice,' which does not exactly fit," continued the apostle. "The delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes, nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels more than one hears.

"The voice of the Spirit is described as being neither `loud' nor `harsh.' It is `not a voice of thunder, neither . . . a voice of great tumultuous noise.' But rather, `A still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper' and it can `pierce to the very soul' and `cause the heartT to burn.' " (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel. 5:30; D&C 85:6-7.)

Elder Packer noted that "the Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied, we may not feel it at all."

He said that if an angel appears to converse, "neither you nor he would be confined to corporeal sight or sound in order to communicate. For there is that spiritual process, described by the Prophet Joseph Smith, by which pure intelligence can flow into our minds and we can know what we need to know without either the drudgery of study or the passage of time, for it is revelation."

Elder Packer discussed how a testimony is received: "A testimony is not thrust upon you; a testimony grows. We become taller in testimony like we grow taller in physical stature; we hardly know it happens because it comes by growth."

He added, "I have learned strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are called by proper authority, they do not position us to counsel or correct others."

Elder Packer added a caution, saying, "I have come to believe that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care, and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of others."

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LEADERS CHALLENGED TO USE POWER OF INFLUENCE TO MAKE THE WORK EXCITING FOR THOSE WHO SERVE

Mission presidents were challenged by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve to use the power of their influence to make missionary work one of the most exciting experiences that missionaries will have during their mortal lives.

Elder Perry, chairman of the Missionary Executive Committee, spoke June 23 at the annual Mission Presidents Seminar at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

"You'll need to have real enthusiasm for this work," he said. "Enthusiasm is contagious. You will need to be on fire whenever you have the opportunity of being with your missionaries."

He outlined four areas where mission leaders are expected to succeed.

1. Save yourself and your family. Elder Perry reminded the leaders that their calling as mission presidents is for three years, but their calling as husbands and fathers is for eternity. "Be assertive with your calendars and block out time for your family," he said. "If you don't, you'll soon be absorbed by that great work before you."

One common aspect of successful mission families is that each family member becomes "infected with the missionary spirit."

2. Save your missionaries. "We are entrusting you with the greatest asset the Church has, save the gospel itself," said Elder Perry. "It is the faithful and true full-time missionaries of the Church." He said that during the past 10 years, some 200,000 members have served full-time missions. A high percentage of these have remained faithful, and many are now in leadership positions.

"What a treasure we are placing in your hands - the future leadership of the Church is literally in your hands," he observed.

3. Increase the number of converts. "Concentrate on the teaching of missionaries to ensure effective teaching, just as the Savior gave the example of service and taught His disciples. Help your missionaries learn and grow throughout their missions."

4. Increase convert retention. "We must continue to remind ourselves of the great change that occurs as the investigator goes from non-member to member," Elder Perry pointed out. "They must change in their knowledge and understanding of the gospel; their attitude must change from one of quest to one of belief. Most difficult of all, their behavior must change. And we must make this as easy as possible for them. They will feel alone. We must give them new friendships."

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'GREAT THINGS' WILL HAPPEN AS MISSIONARIES KNOW SAVIOR

Elder David B. Haight of the Council of the Twelve reminisced about his calling as a mission president and bore testimony of the Savior as he spoke to mission presidents at their seminar June 21.

"I remember so well the telephone call to Palo Alto, Calif.," he said, referring to when he was called to preside over the Scottish Mission.

"I was speechless," he said.

Over the telephone, President Henry D.T Moyle of the First PresidencyT asked if he were still there. "I said, `Yes. How much time do I have?' "

President Moyle responded, "It is interesting that you would ask only how much time you have. We knew that would be your answer."

Elder Haight explained that at that time, he was president of a stake, president of a business association, mayor of Palo Alto, and involved in numerous other business and community activities.

He announced his resignation as mayor following a city council meeting when many people and news representatives were in attendance. However, his associates were incredulous that he would make such a decision.

"People don't do that any more," he was told.

"I said that we do in our Church."

Later his associates said they were proud of him for what he had accomplished.

"We commend you for what you are doing. We applaud you, and we know you are doing great things."

In bearing his testimony, he said that great things would happen in the mission field if all the missionaries could develop deeper testimonies of the Savior.

"Take these young missionaries and . . . teach them of the Savior," he instructed. "Help them learn through humble prayer and faithfulness to develop a testimony of Him whom we represent. Baptisms would flourish if they knew who He was and is."

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JOSEPH SMITH WAS A `MARVELOUS CONDUIT'

Joseph Smith, though untrained in theology, brought forth more printed pages of scripture than any other mortal, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve observed June 21 at the Mission Presidents Seminar.

"What a remarkable conduit the `choice seer' Joseph was!" he exclaimed. "The Prophet's spelling at times may have left something to be desired, but he certainly provided us with the essential grammar of the gospel! What came through Joseph Smith was clearly beyond Joseph Smith. The process stretched him irrevocably."

Calling the experience in the Sacred Grove "one of history's most serendipitous situations," Elder Maxwell remarked that young Joseph did not go there seeking glorious things, but merely wanted to learn which church to join.

Elder Maxwell affirmed, "The revealed truths flowing from the `miraculous' have come in abundance, in a `good measure,' like a harvest basket `pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. . . .' " (Luke 6:38.)

Among the most precious things unfolded through Joseph in the "restitution of all things" were the holy priesthood, temple worship, the holy endowment, the true order of prayer, baptism for the dead and the sealing power, Elder Maxwell noted.

"Jesus is dramatically magnified by the Restoration," he said. "He is not merely a great moral teacher, nor even `one of the prophets.' He is Lord of all the prophets. He is also Lord of the Universe!" (Matt. 16:14; John 7:40, D&C 76:24, Moses 1:33.)