3 Nephi 11:1-3

11:1-3 - I'm really short on time tonight which is unfortunate because today is the day that the Lord comes!!! So I'm going to do my best and see what we can do here. There is a "great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land of Bountiful... and they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death." While they were talking with each other "they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for the understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." There's a few things that I find interesting about this, first is that the voice was small, not over powering, not screaming, not demanding to be heard, it was small and this is why we need to live quieter lives, because the Holy Ghost won't force us to listen, well I guess sometimes he might, but for the most part, he respects our agency. The IM quotes Elder Dallin H. Oaks as teaching "That the 'small voice' that caused 'their hearts to burn' was more of a feeling than a sound. 'The word 'burning' is this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity.' Serenity means warmth, gentleness, and calmness." The IM continues by quoting President Boyd K. Packer as teaching "The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither 'loud' nor 'harsh.' It is 'not a voice of thunder, neither... voice of great tumultuous noise.' But rather 'a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,' and it can 'pierce even to the very soul' and 'cause (the heart) to burn.' Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a 'still small voice.' 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. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?) Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw."