In front of a “home” audience at a concert in Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, David Archuleta, of American Idol fame, announced that he will be serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He hadn’t even finished his sentence before the audience erupted in loud cheers and was on its feet. The cheering lasted for quite a while, and David was clearly very emotional about it all.

David explained why he chose to serve a Mormon mission.

“It’s not because someone told me that I was supposed to do it, not because…I no longer want to do music…, but it’s because it’s the feeling that I’ve felt I need to do [this] next in my life. It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always followed…tried to follow in my life. It’s the feeling that’s allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges I’ve had to overcome, and the blessings, too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling…I’ve learned that I need to answer it when it calls. And that is the reason…I know I need to do this in my life.”

Mormons often talk of the blessing of being able to get answers from God through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. As we seek for guidance and answers through prayer, we believe we can get answers through paying attention to feelings, thoughts, impressions. Personal revelation, as we call it, is something we believe all people can receive if they seek it. Answers through the Holy Ghost can come about decisions in one’s life — such as what David Archuleta talks about here — and also in trying to seek and understand what is truth.

Read more about David Archuleta’s announcement here, and also here: “David Archuleta announces plan to mission for LDS Church“