"Latter-day Saints, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, are entitled to personal inspiration in the small events of life as well as when they are confronted with the giant Goliaths of life," said Elder James E. Faust.
In an address at the April 1980 general conference, Elder Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve and now second counselor in the First Presidency, reviewed a biblical account: "David, the youngest son of Jesse, a mere, stouthearted shepherd boy, volunteered to fight the giant Goliath. David and all of the army of Israel were insulted by the humiliating taunts of the formidable giant, but David knew that inspiration had brought him to save Israel. King Saul was so impressed with the faith and determination of this young boy that he appointed David to fight Goliath."Goliath made sport of David's youth and lack of armament. David responded that he came in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, and that the whole assembly would learn that the Lord saveth not by the sword and the spear, `for the battle is the Lord's.' (1 Sam. 17:47.)
"Then David threw a rock from his sling with such force and accuracy that the stone sank deep into the forehead of Goliath. Goliath fell to the earth a dying man, and the Philistines fled in fear."
Elder Faust asked, "What has happened to David's living God?" He then added: "It is the greatest insult to reason to suggest that God, who spoke so freely to the prophets of the Old Testament, including Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and the other prophets, now stands mute, uncommunicative, and silent."
