511. Desire and effort are both necessary to obtain divine assistance through prayer.
512. When the Lord answers our prayers, it may not always be with the answer we expect or desire.
513. Keeping the commandments of God assists us in obtaining answers to our prayers.
514. Purity and cleanliness from sin assist us in obtaining answers to our prayers.
515. The Lord responds to the prayer of the humble and penitent person.
510. God answers prayers.
And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. (Mormon preaches in the synagogue, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 7:26
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (Letter from James to his brethren in the Church) James 1:5-6
But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. (Revelation relative to governing and conducting meetings, March 8, 1831) D&C 46:7
There is no reason in the world why any soul should not know where to find the truth. If he will only humble himself and seek in the spirit of humility and faith, going to the Lord just as the Prophet Joseph Smith went to the Lord to find the truth, he will find it. There's no doubt about it. There is no reason in the world, if men would only hearken to the whisperings of the Spirit of the Lord and seek as he would have them seek for the knowledge and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for them not to find it—no reason, except the hardness of their hearts and their love of the world. "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." This is my testimony, I know it is true. CR1951Apr:59
receiving the Word of the Lord
Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. . . .
14. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.
15. Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth; . . . (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:5,14-15
Put difficult questions in the back of your mind and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them.
The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, "line upon line, precept upon precept" (D&C 98:12).
Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration. The promptings will be clear and unmistakable. CR1979Oct:30; DGSM:33
Just as there are many forms of prayers, so there are many types of revelation. Sometimes the Lord has answered prayers with the spoken word. . . . Sometimes the Lord puts thoughts in our minds in answer to prayers. . . . Sometimes the Lord, and perhaps more frequently in this way than in most other ways, gives us peace in our minds. ACR(Taipei)1975:7
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
When you have labored faithfully for years, you will learn this simple fact—that if your hearts are aright, and you still continue to be obedient, continue to serve God, continue to pray, the Spirit of revelation will be in you like a well of water springing up to everlasting life. Let no person give up prayer because he has not the spirit of prayer, neither let any earthly circumstance hurry you while in the performance of this important duty. By bowing down before the Lord to ask him to bless you, you will simply find this result—God will multiply blessings on you temporally and spiritually. Let a merchant, a farmer, a mechanic, any person in business, live his religion faithfully, and he need never lose one minute's sleep by thinking about his business; he need not worry in the least, but trust in God, go to sleep and rest. I say to this people—pray, and if you cannot do anything else, read a prayer aloud that your family may hear it, until you get a worshiping spirit, and are full of the riches of eternity, then you will be prepared at any time to lay hands on the sick, or to officiate in any of the ordinances of this religion. (In old Tabernacle, Nov. 17, 1867, JD12:103) DBY:46
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalms 32:8
And do not forget to call upon the Lord in your family circles, dedicating yourselves and all you have to God every day of your lives; and seek to do right, and cultivate the spirit of union and love, and the peace and blessing of the Living God will be with us, and He will lead us in the paths of life; and we shall be sustained and upheld by all the holy angels and the ancient patriarchs and men of God, and the veil will become thinner between us and our God, and we will approach nearer to him, and our souls will magnify the Lord of hosts. (At Provo, Utah, Nov. 30, 1879, JD20:361) TLDP:488
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 10. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11. And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (The Lord commands Isaiah to teach the people in fasting to serve the needy, thereby to be able to pray to the Lord and receive answers) Isaiah 58:9-11
recorded in Matthew
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount) Matthew 7:7-8
quoted by Mormon
And now I go unto the Father, And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.
29. Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened. (The resurrected Jesus teaches the Nephites to pray) 3 Nephi 27:28-29
receiving the Word of the Lord
Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
65. And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation. (Revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:63-65
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. . . .
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (The Apostle John writes the invitation of Jesus to overcome the world) Revelation 3:20,22
receiving the Word of the Lord
Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by the Comforter, whither they shall go. (Revelation received at a Church conference, Jan. 25, 1832) D&C 75:27
Whoever in absolute desire to know the truth places himself in harmony with divine forces and approaches God in humble prayer, with full surrender of inherited or acquired prejudices, will learn to his complete satisfaction that there is a God in Heaven, whose loving will is operative on earth. Just as the turning of the dial of the radio enables us to hear the messages of distant broadcasting stations, so we may tune ourselves in prayer for truth to hear the messages that come from heavenly places. Man is more than a machine; he can so purify himself, establish earnest desire, and forget his selfish needs, as to receive through prayer the final assurance of the existence of the Lord of Heaven and Earth. This method or test is within the reach of all, humble or great, rich or poor. Happy is the man who thus enters into the abundant knowledge of divine things. ("The Articles of Faith," IE1935May:288) TLDP:490
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 33:3
I would have them [the youth of Israel] have the trust in him which the little blind girl had in her father. One day she was sitting on his lap in the train, and a friend sitting by said, "Let me rest you," and he reached over and took the little child on his lap. The father said to her "Do you know who is holding you?" "No," she replied, "but you do."
Just so real should be the trust which our boys and girls have in their Father in heaven. If our young people will have this faith, and so approach the Lord, . . . great blessings will come to them here and now. CR1961Apr:7
recorded in Matthew
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Jesus' disciples marvel at the cursing of the fig tree) Matthew 21:21-22
I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives, that He is personal and real, that He is indeed our Father, that He listens to and will answer prayer. (CR 2005Apr; Closing Remarks, Ensign, May 2005)
There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone. (CR 2004Apr; Stay on the High Road, Ensign, May 2004, p.112)
Carefully listen to learn from the Lord through the still small voice—the Holy Spirit—which leads to truth. Listen to learn by studying scriptures that record His holy mind and will. Listen to learn in prayer, for He will answer the humble who truly seek Him. (CR 1991Apr; Listen to Learn, Ensign, May 1991, p.22)
It is so satisfying to know that God is mindful of us and ready to respond when we place our trust in Him. There is no place for fear among men and women who place their trust in the Almighty, who do not hesitate to humble themselves in seeking divine guidance through prayer. Though difficulties may arise and reverses may come, in our prayers we can find reassurance as the Lord speaks peace to our souls. (CR 1993Apr; Back to Gospel Basics, Ensign, May 1993, p.90)
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith. (Revelation received Aug. 6, 1833, in consequence of the persecution of the Saints) D&C 98:12
And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.
6. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord. (Moroni's abridgement of the record of the Jaredites covering the period of time of the Tower of Babel) Ether 2:5-6
receiving the Word of the Lord
Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize this people. (Revelation, May 1831) D&C 51:1
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
9. Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation.
10. I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. (Revelation, April 26, 1832) D&C 82:8-10
receiving the Word of the Lord
And now, again, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, concerning the man that desires the witness—
24. Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see. (Revelation received at the request of Martin Harris, March 1829) D&C 5:23-24
511. Desire and effort are both necessary to obtain divine assistance through prayer.
If we pray that his will be done, we must be prepared to do our part. My father said to me when I was a boy, "If you want your prayers to be answered, you'd better get on your feet and go to work." There is no use praying for the kingdom to come and his will to be done unless we are prepared to do something about it. CR1974Apr:75-76
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; . . . (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, April 1829; the Book of Mormon is translated by study and by spiritual confirmation) D&C 9:7-9
It is not, never has been, and never will be the design and purpose of the Lord—however much we seek him in prayer—to answer all our problems and concerns without struggle and effort on our part. This mortality is a probationary estate. In it we have our agency. We are being tested to see how we will respond in various situations; how we will decide issues; what course we will pursue while we are here walking, not by sight, but by faith. Hence, we are to solve our own problems and then to counsel with the Lord in prayer and receive a spiritual confirmation that our decisions are correct. ("Why the Lord Ordained Prayer," EN1976Jan:11) TLDP:488
Again, while prayer is essential and is one of the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is nonsense for a person to pray only, and not work. A well-balanced person would naturally do everything that he could do and at the same time petition the Lord to help him in his efforts, thus aiding to bring about his desires. By work, patience and integrity, such a person would support his prayers by so living that the Lord could be justified in granting his petitions. The commandments which the Lord has given us, in ages past, and those now being revealed, teach us that human desire and effort are necessary to obtain divine assistance. ("Strive to Be as Broad as the Gospel," IE1912Jul:843) TLDP:487
quoted by Mormon
Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Ammon addresses his brethren, 90-77 B.C.) Alma 26:22
We pray for enlightenment, then go to with all our might and our books and our thoughts and righteousness to get the inspiration. We ask for judgment, then use all our powers to act wisely and develop wisdom. We pray for success in our work and then study hard and strive with all our might to help answer our prayers. When we pray for health we must live the laws of health and do all in our power to keep our bodies well and vigorous. We pray for protection and then take reasonable precaution to avoid danger. There must be works with faith. How foolish it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but how wise to ask the Lord's help to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain things that we have learned. How stupid to ask the Lord to protect us if we unnecessarily drive at excessive speeds, or if we eat or drink destructive elements or try foolhardy stunts. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 205) TLDP:485-86
When we pray, do we just speak, or do we also listen? Our Savior said:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
The promise is made to everyone. There is no discrimination, no favored few, but the Lord has not promised to crash the door. He stands and knocks. If we do not listen, he will not sup with us nor give answer to our prayers. We must learn how to listen, grasp, interpret, understand. The Lord stands knocking. He never retreats. But he will never force himself upon us. If our distance from him increases, it is we who have moved and not the Lord. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 208) TLDP:481
Our faith is acquired through prayer with a sincere desire to draw close to God and trust in Him to bear our burdens and give us answers to life’s unexplained mysteries of the purpose of life. (CR 2004Oct; Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Ensign, November 2004, p.70)
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Mormon
And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works. (Alma responds to the chief ruler, Antionah, regarding Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, about 82 B.C.) Alma 12:30
512. When the Lord answers our prayers, it may not always be with the answer we expect or desire.
The time has come when our prayers in behalf of many of our loved ones have not been answered, but those for whom we have prayed have been taken away. But, my brethren and sisters, because they are taken away, is that any sign that our prayers were not heard by our Father in heaven? Not in the least. It is but an evidence that God knows best, that His will is not our will, and that the time had come when He saw it wiser not to answer that prayer. How often do parents have to deny the prayers and petitions of their own children? Notwithstanding the child desires a thing greatly, and can see no reason why he should not have it, yet in the greater wisdom of the parent his request is denied and the supposed blessing is withheld. But that is no evidence that the prayer was not considered by the parent; it is simply an evidence that the parent knows best when to give and when to withhold. CR1902Apr:20-21
How should we pray? We should pray in faith, but with awareness that when the Lord answers it may not be with the answer we expect or desire. Our faith must be that God's choice for us is right. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 207) TLDP:487
Prayers are not always answered as we wish them to be. Even the Redeemer's prayer in Gethsemane was answered in the negative. (Jordan seminary graduation, May 14, 1954) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 124) TLDP:487-88
The Being of higher intelligence, to whom the request is directed, may or may not grant the prayer, but some answer will be given. Prayer has been said to be "the soul's sincere desire." Only when it is such will the fullest answer be obtained, and it is doubtful if such a prayer is ever refused. No prayer is unheard. . . . A man should pray always; his heart should be full of prayer; he should walk in prayer. Answers will then be heard as God pleases. Seldom is a man greater than his private prayers.
To become properly tuned with the guiding intelligent Being, one must give himself to the matter devotedly desired in the form of prayer, and then support it with all his works. Prayer is active and not passive. If a thing is wanted a man must try to secure it. Then, as a man devotes all of himself to the subject of the prayer, his attitude becomes such as to make him susceptible to the answer when it shall be sent. Prayer may be said to be the soul's whole desire. (A Rational Theology, pp. 76-77) TLDP:480-81
And I urge on you, brothers and sisters, that when you pray, let that central thought always be with you, and do not always expect that the answer to your prayer will come in the way in which you desire it. CR1958Oct:46
I have cherished from childhood the truth that God is a personal being, and is, indeed, our Father whom we can approach in prayer and receive answers thereto. I cherish as one of the dearest experiences of life the knowledge that God hears the prayer of faith. It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the manner, we anticipate; but they do come, and at a time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication. (CR 1969Apr; Afternoon Session, p.152 - 153)
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and, will answer thee as touching this matter. 3. Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternal nature of the marriage covenant, July 12, 1843 [1831]) D&C 132:2-3
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, 2. And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3. That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. 4. Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. 5. Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. 6. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God. (Johanan, a military leader, asks Jeremiah to obtain instructions from the Lord for him and his people, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 42:1-6
513. Keeping the commandments of God assists us in obtaining answers to our prayers.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (John writes to the churches in Asia) 1 John 3:22
Prayer is powerful indeed when accompanied by works of righteousness, but prayer alone is but lip service. The Almighty spurns lip service. Empty words are but symptoms of hypocrisy to him. He is a God of action—a God of works as well as of faith. He demands obedience to him if we are to receive help from him. Are we ready to thus obey him? We cannot deal in half-way measures—not with God—and neither can we serve two masters. CR1968Apr:62
quoted by Mormon
And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. (Amulek teaches the people to pray earnestly for the welfare of themselves and their fellowmen, about 74 B.C.) Alma 34:28
No one can pray with perfect faith unless he keeps the commandments. ("The Ten Commandments of a Peculiar People," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1975, p. 38) TLDP:487
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (Peter writes to the churches in modern Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) 1 Peter 3:12
If faithful, we have a right to claim the blessings of the Lord upon the labor of our hands, our temporal labors. CR1898Apr:9-10
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Mormon
For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 3:4
quoted by Mormon
[A]nd I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance;
10. Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth. (Alma enjoins the people to trust no man to be their teacher who is not a man of God, reminding them of his own sins as a priest of King Noah, before his conversion, 145-121 B.C.) Mosiah 23:9-10
514. Purity and cleanliness from sin assist us in obtaining answers to our prayers.
And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:29
If you would have your personal prayers reach the Divine destination to which they are addressed, see to it that they are transmitted by a current of pure sincerity, free from the resistance of unrepented sin. Let those who assemble in the sacred circle of united prayer have a care that each is individually clean, lest the supplication be nullified through the obstruction of an offending member. ("The Parable of the Defective Battery," IE1914Feb:285) TLDP:487
[A]s a result of righteous living, we shall so enjoy the companionship of the Spirit that he will dictate to us what we should ask. On this point the Lord said: "He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh." (D&C 46:30)
I didn't understand this scripture until I had had a lot of experiences. When you live so that the Lord can dictate what you pray for, then you will receive whatever you ask for, because you will ask according to his will; "wherefore, it is done even as he asketh." And again: " . . . if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done. But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask. . . ." (D&C 50:29-30(Learning for the Eternities, pp. 117-18) TLDP:487
Reference has been made in this conference to the importance of seeking the Lord in prayer. And we should know that our prayers will not avail us much unless we repent of our sins. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, are the fundamental teachings of our Heavenly Father to us, and have been the groundwork of the Church since it was organized. CR1944Oct:95
My experience has taught me from my boyhood, that service in this Church cannot be acceptably rendered except with the help of the Spirit of the Lord, and that this Spirit is given only to the worthy. All my life I have been taught that the Lord helps him who helps himself. Inasmuch as he has given us intelligence he expects us, when any duty is assigned us, to do the very best we can to discharge that duty, seeking his help in the meantime. I believe that my experience teaches me also that that help may not be received, no matter how fervent the prayer, unless the prayer is worthily made. That is to say, I must work if I am going to succeed. I must pray, if I am going to succeed. All my life I have been taught, and I have experienced the fact, that the Lord does answer the prayer of the worthy. Whenever I have prayed worthily I have never been disappointed. So I believe in prayer. I know that prayer is a source of strength and of help. I have proved this many, many times. (CR 1931Oct; Afternoon Meeting, p.35)
Related Witnesses:
Now when the people saw that they must perish they began to repent of their iniquities and cry unto the Lord.
35. And it came to pass that when they had humbled themselves sufficiently before the Lord he did send rain upon the face of the earth. (Moroni's abridgement of the writings of Ether, who wrote about 550 B.C.) Ether 9:34-35
quoted by Mormon
And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.
24. Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear [respond to] their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.
25. And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear [respond to] their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me. (Abinadi speaks the word of the Lord to the people of the wicked king Noah, about 150 B.C.) Mosiah 11:23-25
515. The Lord responds to the prayer of the humble and penitent person.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (The Lord accepts the completed temple and instructs Solomon) 2 Chronicles 7:14
A humble prayer on bended knees, followed by the other works, is the invisible switch to tune us with the infinite and bring to us programs of knowledge, inspiration, and faith. (At Brigham Young University, March 19, 1946) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 62) TLDP:490
Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. (Revelation for Thomas B. Marsh, who has prayed in behalf of the Twelve, July 23, 1837) D&C 112:10
And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. (Revelation received at a conference of Church elders; the true gospel to be preached, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:28
receiving the Word of the Lord
Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;
33. For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, July 12, 1843) D&C 136:32-33
receiving the Word of the Lord
And now, again, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, concerning the man that desires the witness—
24. Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see. (Revelation through Joseph Smith at the request of Martin Harris, March 1829) D&C 5:23-24
No individual who is humble and prayerful before God and supplicates Him every day for the light and inspiration of His Holy Spirit, will ever become lifted up in the pride of his heart, or feel that the intelligence and the wisdom that he possesses are all-sufficient for him.
The prayerful and humble man will always realize and feel that he is dependent upon the Lord for every blessing that he enjoys, and in praying to God he will not only pray for the light and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit to guide him, but he will feel to thank Him for the blessings that he receives, realizing that life, that health, that strength, and that all the intelligence which he possesses come from God, who is the Author of his existence.
If we do not keep this channel of communication open between us and our Heavenly Father, then are we robbed of the light and inspiration of His Spirit, and of that feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving that fills our hearts and that desire to praise God for His goodness and mercy to us. ("Personal and Family Prayer," IE1942Dec:779) TLDP:489
If all our selfish motives, then, and all our personal desires, and expediency, would be subordinated to a desire to know the will of the Lord, one could have the companionship of heavenly vision. CR1946Oct:146
quoted by Mormon
And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 4:11-12
Carefully listen to learn from the Lord through the still small voice—the Holy Spirit—which leads to truth. Listen to learn by studying scriptures that record His holy mind and will. Listen to learn in prayer, for He will answer the humble who truly seek Him. (CR 1991Apr; Listen to Learn, Ensign, May 1991, p.22)
Related Witnesses:
. . .Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee. . . . (Isaiah brings the word of the Lord to Hezekiah, who has pleaded with the Lord to let him live) 2 Kings 20:5
516. The Lord answers the prayers of His servants according to the degree of their faith (and His holy purposes).
If we want something for this Church and Kingdom, or if we want something for our individual lives, we must have a great, earnest, overpowering desire for that thing. We must reach out for it, with full faith in our Heavenly Father that the gift may be given us. Then it would seem as if the Lord himself cannot resist our petition. If our desire is strong enough, if our whole will is tempered and attuned to that which we desire, if our lives make us worthy of the desired gift, the Lord, by his own words, is bound to give us that which we desire, in his own time and in his own manner. CR1935Apr:82
I have cherished from childhood the truth that God is a personal being, and is, indeed, our Father whom we can approach in prayer and receive answers thereto. I cherish as one of the dearest experiences of life the knowledge that God hears the prayer of faith. It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the manner, we anticipate; but they do come, and at a time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication. CR1969Apr:152-53
And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. (Alma, the younger, and the four sons of Mosiah, have been seeking to destroy the Church when an angel appears to them commanding them to cease their evil course, 100-92 B.C.) Mosiah 27:14
It is not such a difficult thing to learn how to pray. It is not the words we use particularly that constitute prayer. Prayer does not consist of words altogether. True, faithful, earnest prayer consists more in the feeling that rises from the heart and from the inward desire of our spirits to supplicate the Lord in humility and in faith, that we may receive his blessings. It matters not how simple the words may be, if our desires are genuine and we come before the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit to ask Him for that which we need. . . .
My brethren and sisters, do not learn to pray with your lips only. Do not learn a prayer by heart, and say it every morning and evening. That is something I dislike very much. It is true that a great many people fall into the rut of saying over a ceremonious prayer. They begin at a certain point, and they touch at all the points along the road until they get to the winding-up scene; and when they have done, I do not know whether the prayer has ascended beyond the ceiling of the room or not. CR1899Oct:69,71-72
receiving the Word of the Lord
And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
47. And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers; . . . (Revelation in respect to the lost 116 manuscript pages, 1828) D&C 10:46-47
How should we pray? We should pray in faith, but with awareness that when the Lord answers it may not be with the answer we expect or desire. Our faith must be that God's choice for us is right. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 207) TLDP:487
[Y]et the words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faithful shall be heard. . . . [ed. note: be responded to.] (Nephi foretells of the last days and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 26:15
Related Witnesses:
Brethren and sisters, let us continue to be a praying people. Let us pray, keeping in mind some of the great principles involved therein. Let us go to our Heavenly Father for his advice, his counsel, his help. He will always answer if we are righteous in our asking, and if we are asking for righteous things that would be for our good and benefit. CR1958Oct:47
And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word.
25. And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth. (Moroni writes of the Saints who preceded him, about A.D. 419-420) Mormon 8:24-25
also quoting Paul
Answers to prayers come in a quiet way. The scriptures describe that voice of inspiration as a still, small voice.
If you really try, you can learn to respond to that voice.
In the early days of our marriage, our children came at close intervals. As parents of little children will know, in those years it is quite a novelty for them to get an uninterrupted night of sleep. . . .
We finally divided our children into "his" and "hers" for night tending. She would get up for the new baby, and I would get up for the one cutting teeth.
One day we came to realize that each would hear only the one to which we were assigned, and would sleep very soundly through the cries of the other.
We have commented on this over the years, convinced that you can train yourself to hear what you want to hear, to see and feel what you desire, but it takes some conditioning.
There are so many of us who go through life and seldom, if ever, hear that voice of inspiration, because "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."(1 Corinthians 2:14) CR1979Oct:28; DGSM:33
Sometimes ideas flood our mind as we listen after our prayers. Sometimes feelings press upon us. A spirit of calmness assures us that all will be well. But always, if we have been honest and earnest [in our prayers] we will experience a good feeling—a feeling of warmth for our Father in Heaven and a sense of his love for us. (EN1981Oct:5) DGSM:34
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:8
