517. We are to address our prayers to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ the Son.
519. We are not to offer vain, repetitious prayers.
520. There are times when we are to pray on our knees.
521. We are to pray vocally as well as silently in the heart.
517. We are to address our prayers to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ the Son.
We . . . accept without any question the doctrines we have been taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith and by the Son of God himself, that we pray to God, the Eternal Father, in the name of his only begotten Son, to whom also our father Adam and his posterity have prayed from the beginning. CR1916Oct:6
But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. (Nephi writes, between 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 32:9
quoted by John
[T]hat whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (Jesus addresses his disciples who have been chosen to serve him) John 15:16
. . .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
And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. (The twelve disciples of the resurrected Jesus minister to the Nephites, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 19:6
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. (The resurrected Jesus instructs his twelve Nephite disciples, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 27:28
receiving the Word of the Lord
Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you; . . . (Revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:64
receiving the Word of the Lord
I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. (The Lord speaks by revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833) D&C 93:19
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
When you approach the throne of grace and petition the Father, in the name of the Savior who has redeemed the world, do you use the name as the name of a stranger? If you understand your own religion, you petition that Personage as you would one of your brethren in the flesh. Is this strange to you? It should bring near to you things that pertain to eternity, give your reflections and views a more exalted cast, stamp your daily actions with truth and honesty, and cause you to be, filled with the Spirit and power of God. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 6, 1859, JD7:274-75) DBY:43
translating the Book of Moses
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. (The record of Moses : an angel of the Lord appears to Adam and instructs him to pray to God) Moses 5:8
Related Witnesses:
And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying:
3. O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (Moroni writes for the benefit of the Lamanites, A.D. 400-421) Moroni 4:2-3
Everything that we do should be done in the name of Jesus Christ. CR1940Apr:95; DGSM:43
[N]o divine commandment has been more frequently repeated than the commandment to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. CR1979Oct:20; DGSM:32
518. In our prayers we are to address the Father with respect by using the pronouns "Thee," "Thou," "Thine" and "Thy."
In all our prayers, it is well to use the pronouns thee, thou, thy, and thine instead of you, your, and yours inasmuch as they have come to indicate respect. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 201) TLDP:483
When we go to worship in a temple or a church, we put aside our working clothes and dress ourselves in something better. This change of clothing is a mark of respect. Similarly, when we address our Heavenly Father, we should put aside our working words and clothe our prayers in special language of reverence and respect. In offering prayers in the English language, members of our church do not address our Heavenly Father with the same words we use in speaking to a fellow worker, to an employee or employer, or to a merchant in the marketplace. We use special words that have been sanctified by use in inspired communications, words that have been recommended to us and modeled for us by those we sustain as prophets and inspired teachers. . . .
Modern English has no special verbs or pronouns that are intimate, familiar, or honorific. When we address prayers to our Heavenly Father in English, our only available alternatives are the common words of speech like you and your or the dignified but uncommon words like thee, thou, and thy that were used in the King James version of the Bible almost five hundred years ago. Latter-day Saints, of course, prefer the latter. In our prayers we use language that is dignified and different, even archaic. . . .
[p.19]. . . . In our day the English words thee, thou, thy, and thine are suitable for the language of prayer. CR1993Apr:17,19
I have noticed . . . the youth . . . who address the Father with the words "you" and "yours." The Presidency of the Church are quite anxious that everybody address the Lord with the pronouns "thee" and "thou" and "thine" and "thy". . . . Youth may feel that "you" and "yours" are a little more affectionate. But would you do what you can to change this pattern? (Addressing seminary and institute faculty, June 18, 1962) MPSG1983:132
I think, my brethren, that in the quorums and in the classes, you would do well, as in the homes also, to teach the language of prayer "Thee and Thou," rather than "you." It always seems disappointing to me to have our Father in Heaven, our Lord, addressed as "you." It is surprising how much we see of this in the mission field among the young men who come to serve there. I think you might make note of it, and avail yourselves of any opportunities that may come in order to teach the sacred and reverential language of prayer. CR1951Oct:175
also quoting Stephen L. Richards
[U]se the sacred language of prayer. We should always address Deity by using the sacred pronouns thou, thee, thy, and thine. The late President Stephen L. Richards gave us this wise counsel:
". . . . teach the language of prayer—'Thee and Thou,' rather than 'you'." CR1983Oct:14
[I]t is good to use the sacred pronouns of the scriptures—thee, thou, thy, and thine—when addressing Deity in prayer, instead of the more common pronouns you, your, and yours. By doing so, we show greater respect to our Heavenly Father. CR1993Apr:112
519. We are not to offer vain, repetitious prayers.
We do not give memorized, ritualistic, or repetitious prayers. We seek the guidance of the Spirit and suit every prayer to the needs of the moment, with no thought of using the same words on successive occasions. CR1984Apr:44
recorded in Matthew
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do. (Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord's Prayer) Matthew 6:7
In the same spirit did the Preacher denounce hypocritical prayers—the saying of prayers in place of praying. . . . He who would really pray—pray as nearly as possible as Christ prayed, pray in actual communion with God to whom the prayer is addressed—will seek privacy, seclusion, isolation; if opportunity permits he will retire to his chamber, and will shut the door, that none may intrude; there he may pray indeed, if the spirit of prayer be in his heart; and this course was commended by the Lord. Wordy supplications, made up largely of reiterations and repetitions such as the heathen use, thinking that their idol deities will be pleased with their much speaking, were forbidden.
It is well to know that prayer is not compounded of words, words that may fail to express what one desires to say, words that so often cloak inconsistencies, words that may have no deeper source than the physical organs of speech, words that may be spoken to impress mortal ears. The dumb may pray, and that too with the eloquence that prevails in heaven. Prayer is made up of heart throbs and the righteous yearnings of the soul, of supplication based on the realization of need, of contrition and pure desire. JTC:237-38
quoted by Mormon
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. (The resurrected Jesus teaches the Nephites the Lord's Prayer, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 13:7-8
We do not have to cry unto him with many words. We do not have to weary him with long prayers. What we do need, and what we should do as Latter-day Saints, for our own good, is to go before him often, to witness unto him that we remember him and that we are willing to take upon us his name, keep his commandments, work righteousness; and that we desire his Spirit to help us. Then, if we are in trouble, let us go to the Lord and ask him directly and specifically to help us out of the trouble that we are in; and let the prayer come from the heart, let it not be in words that are worn into ruts in the beaten tracks of common use, without thought or feeling in the use of those words. Let us speak the simple words, expressing our need, that will appeal most truly to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 221) TLDP:482
Author's Note: Vain repetitions: Idle, hollow, or useless repetitions.
520. There are times when we are to pray on our knees.
I think every Latter-day Saint ought to go to his knees night and morning in secret prayer. CR1961Oct:61
Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant. (Revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:131
It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;
76. And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, . . . (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830) D&C 20:75-76
The Church urges that there be family prayer every night and every morning. It is a kneeling prayer with all or as many members of the family present as possible. ("Prayer," NE1978Mar:15) MPSG1983:129
And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. (The twelve disciples of the resurrected Jesus minister to the Nephites, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 19:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. (A psalm of David) Psalms 95:6
I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day. Somehow the little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before the Lord, you thank him for one another, in the presence of one another, and then together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your dreams. CR1971Apr:83
In the spirit of helpfulness let me give you a key. When in doubt go on your knees in humility with an open mind and a pure heart with a real desire to do the Lord's will, and pray earnestly and sincerely for divine guidance. Persist in praying in this way until you get an answer that fills your bosom with joy and satisfaction. It will be God's answer. CR1941Apr:50-51
If children pray for their parents, it makes them more appreciative of their parents, and as they pray for one another, they feel closer to one another and part of each other, especially as they realize that they are talking to their Father in heaven while on their knees. . . . CR1967Oct:55
Related Witnesses:
When you are on your knees in prayer, there is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to the Lord for the many blessings that he bestows on his children. CR1983Oct:15
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. . . .
41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, . . .
45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, . . . (Jesus suffers in Gethsemane) Luke 22:39,41,45
quoted by Mormon
And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. (Enos prays mightily and gains a remission of sins, 544-421 B.C.) Enos 1:4
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel worships the Lord in defiance of a decree of Darius the king) Daniel 6:10
521. We are to pray vocally as well as silently in the heart.
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private. (A commandment of God for Martin Harris, March 1830) D&C 19:28
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places. (Revelation given in response to the earnest desire of Joseph Knight, Sr. and four other brethren to know of their respective duties, April 1930) D&C 23:6
It was a prayer, a very special prayer, which opened this whole dispensation It began with a young man's first vocal prayer. I hope that not too many of our prayers are silent, even though when we cannot pray vocally, it is good to offer a silent prayer in our hearts and in our minds. CR1979Oct:4; DGSM:33
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Mormon
But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
27. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. (Amulek teaches the people to pray, about 74 B.C.) Alma 34:26-27
So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. . . .
18. My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. (Joseph receives a visitation of the Father and the Son, spring of 1820) JS-H 1:14,18
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. CR1899Oct:69; DCSM:22
