In the middle of Nephi's psalm, after lamenting his susceptibility to temptation and after commanding himself to do better, Nephi begins to talk directly to God. To me, this is the turning point in the psalm—the moment when he acknowledges that he can't do this on his own, that he needs help. Notice how his... Continue Reading →
“Fasting and Praying” – Omni 1:26
I've been thinking about fasting today, partly because President Nelson has invited us to participate in a worldwide fast this weekend and to pray for "relief from the physical, emotional, and economic effects" of COVID-19. I was drawn to the following plea from Amaleki, the last writer in the small plates of Nephi: Come unto... Continue Reading →
“I Did Pour Out My Whole Soul” – Enos 1:9
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him" (Psalm 62:8). After Enos prayed for his own soul and received forgiveness from God, his thoughts turned to his people. He says, "I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them" (Enos 1:9). What does it mean to pour... Continue Reading →
Wrestling, Struggling, Laboring – Enos 1:2, 10-12
The Bible Dictionary says, "Prayer is a form of work." I've been thinking today about the level of effort that we can and should put into our communication with God. Enos describes all three parts of his prayer in terms of hard work: He had a "wrestle...before God" when he pleaded for a remission of... Continue Reading →
Harden Not Your Hearts – 1 Nephi 15:11
The 95th psalm tells us not to harden our hearts if we want to hear God's voice (Psalm 95:7-8). Nephi tells his brothers the same thing when he hears them arguing about the meaning of their father's words. "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" he asks. "We have not," they reply, "for the Lord maketh... Continue Reading →
Seeking the Lord Diligently – 1 Nephi 10:17-19
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 →
