Moses prophesied that his people would eventually forget the Lord and would be scattered among all nations. But he made a promise about what would happen next: If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deuteronomy 4:29,... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Pour Out Your Soul to God?
Several times in the Book of Mormon, people pray with such intensity that they are described as "pouring out [their] whole [souls] unto God." After Enos's sins were forgiven, he "began to feel a desire for the welfare of...the Nephites." As a result, he says, "I did pour out my whole soul unto God for... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Lord’s Prayer?
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave His disciples an example of a good prayer. "After this manner therefore pray ye," He said: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.... Continue Reading →
What Are “Vain Repetitions,” and Why Should We Avoid Them?
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior gave the following counsel about prayer: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of,... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Watch and Pray?”
Just after participating in the Last Supper, the Savior walked with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Telling His disciples, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation," He walked a little further, and knelt to pray (Luke 22:40-41, Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39). Returning a little later, He... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Family Prayer?
During the Savior's visit to the American continent, after healing the sick, He invited the people to bring their children forward. The children sat around the Savior, and the adults knelt behind the children. Jesus also knelt and prayed. After the prayer, He said, "My joy is full," and He wept. Then, "he took their... Continue Reading →
Why Are Some Prayers Fixed (the Sacrament Prayers, for Example) in Contrast to Our Normal Prayers?
We have significant latitude over the content of our prayers. For the most part, we can pray for the things we want to pray for, and our Heavenly Father wants us to share our genuine thoughts and feelings when we communicate with Him. However, the content of our prayers is constrained in some ways. A... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Counsel with the Lord?”
Every time we pray, we face a paradox. On the one hand, we know that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are imperfect mortals with limited perspective attempting to communicate with a Being who knows infinitely more than we do. On the other hand, He has commanded us to pray to... Continue Reading →
What Should I Do When My Prayers Aren’t Answered?
After preaching the gospel, baptizing hundreds of people, and organizing the church in the land of Mormon, the prophet Alma led his people into the wilderness. They traveled for eight days, arriving at a beautiful place where they decided to settle (Mosiah 23:1-4). However, they soon fell into captivity, forced to labor under the supervision... Continue Reading →
