Still small voice prompting many to emulate Christ
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"A still small voice and then a throbbing heart" are the reasons the Church is growing rapidly in membership and activity, said Bishop Richard C. Edgley, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, during the Saturday morning session.
He spoke of a college professor from Africa who attended a scientific seminar in Salt Lake City where Bishop Edgley spoke. The professor picked up a pamphlet about the Church and then read everything else he could find.
Meeting him again while in the eastern United States, Bishop Edgley found that the professor's family was being taught by missionaries in Africa and, when they were reunited four weeks later in the U.S., the family planned to be baptized.
Bishop Edgley said, "At the conclusion of the Saturday evening adult session, this man came rushing to the podium and, thumping his chest, excitedly declared, 'My heart is throbbing just like this. I can hardly contain it in my body. I don't know if I can wait the four weeks for my family to be baptized.' "
Then Bishop Edgley quoted 1 Kings 19:11-12, about the prophet Elijah who found the Lord — not in a strong wind, nor in a fire, nor in an earthquake, but in a still small, "but a very discernible voice and it causes a throbbing heart."
He added, "It is a still small voice and a throbbing heart that motivate millions of members to emulate the life of Jesus in word, deed, and service."
Finally, Bishop Edgley spoke of three things that cause his heart to throb:
"First, my heart throbs with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and that His love for me was sufficient that He would suffer unimaginable pain and even death. . . .
"Second, my heart throbs with the knowledge that a young boy, only 14 years of age, went into a grove of trees and from a simple, humble prayer the heavens opened, God and Christ appeared, and angels descended. And thus, the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored with all of its priesthood, covenants, and purity of doctrine. . . .
"Third, my heart throbs as I study and ponder the sacred scriptures in the Book of Mormon, as it complements the Bible and further testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior of the world."
Of these things, he said, "It is our great privilege to know. It is more than a privilege; it is our responsibility to know."
