Elder Andersen’s talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/15andersen?lang=eng

Elder Andersen began by recounting how the young Joseph Snith received great opposition when he told people about the First Vision. Despite this opposition he knw that it was true.

There is a lesson for us in the Prophet Joseph’s example. Along with the peaceful direction we receive from the Holy Ghost, from time to time, God powerfully and very personally assures each of us that He knows us and loves us, and that He is blessing us specifically and openly. Then, in our moments of difficulty, the Savior brings these experiences back into our mind.

The Lord told Oliver Cowdery:

“If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

“Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” D&C 6:22–23

The Lord reminded Oliver and us to rely on sacred personal witnesses already received when our faith is challenged. Like Moses’s, Alma’s and Joseph’s before, these divine encounters serve as spiritual anchors to keep us safe and on course in times of trial.’ (Paul B Pieper, General Conference, April 2012)

Have you had experiences where you have known that the Lord loves you and knows you personally?

Elder Andersen shared four examples of spiritually defining memories:

• President Nelson receiving revelation while performing surgery on how to repair a damaged heart valve.
• Sister Beatrice Magre, when a young woman, miraculously finding a pair of lost spectacles.
• the story of Floripes Luzia Damasio who was baptised aged 103 and endowed at age 104.
• a missionary experience in France.

What did you learn form, or what did you feel about these four examples?

Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties.  I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you. Heavenly Father knows you and loves you!

Do you have spiritually defining memories that you need to record or share with your family?

You might think of your spiritual memories this way. With constant prayer, a determination to keep our covenants, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we navigate our way through life. When personal difficulty, doubt, or discouragement darken our path, or when world conditions beyond our control lead us to wonder about the future, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home. And when someone sets their defining memories aside and is lost or confused, we turn them toward the Savior as we share our faith and memories with them, helping them rediscover those precious spiritual moments they once treasured.

How has the memory of sacred experiences helped you?

Elder Andersen reminded us that the Lord’s living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has invited Latter-day Saints to ponder the essential question: “How do you hear Him?”

We hear Him in our prayers, in our homes, in the scriptures, in our hymns, as we worthily partake of the sacrament, as we declare our faith, as we serve others, and as we attend the temple with fellow believers. Spiritually defining moments come as we prayerfully listen to general conference and as we better keep the commandments. And children, these experiences are for you as well. Remember, Jesus “did teach and minister unto the children … and [the children] did speak … great and marvelous things.” The Lord said:

“[This knowledge is] given by my Spirit unto you, … and save it were by my power you could not have [it];

“Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.”

We can “hear Him” because of the blessing of the Savior’s incomparable Atonement.

In General Conference in April 2018, President Nelson said:

‘One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.’

Where and how do you hear Him?

Preach My Gospel page 102 says: ‘Many voices in the world compete for your attention, and they can easly drown out spiritual impressions if you are not careful.’

What can prevent you from hearing Him?

How can you better hear the Lord and how can you better draw strength from spiritually defining memories?

How can they strengthen family members?