Prayer

I finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia series yesterday. I love those books; partly because it takes me back to my childhood, and mostly because C.S. Lewis has an impressive knack for putting Christianity onto paper without being overbearing or stiff.

Anyway, I was thinking about something Polly, Digory, and Fledge (a winged horse, who could eat grass--children can't) were discussing on their journey for the magical apple in The Magician's Nephew:

"Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals," said Digory.

"I'm sure Aslan would have, if you'd asked him," said Fledge.

"Wouldn't he know without being asked?" said Polly.

"I've no doubt he would," said the Horse (still with his mouth full). "But I've a sort of idea he likes to be asked."

This concept is a difficult one for some to grasp. God knows everything and has all power, so why doesn't He give me what I desire, automatically? Why must I pray at all? The LDS Bible Dictionary puts it so plainly,

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

Prayer also has a transformative effect on those who pray. It makes us humble and aligns our wills with God's. Did you ever wonder why we are so emphatic about praying in the name of Christ? (see John 16:23) When we say, "...in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." it means, "This prayer is offered as if Jesus Christ were saying it. We are certain He would give it His stamp of approval." In a public prayer, when everyone else says, "Amen." they mean, "I agree with what has been said."

The more you pray, the more you'll feel the Holy Ghost silently, softly directing your prayers away from worldly desires (see 2 Nephi 32:8-9). With more effort and forethought invested in each prayer, your sights will be lifted beyond hopes and desires you thought possible. You will see that God has higher dreams for your end-goals than you ever did. You will find it easier and more intuitive to guess the mind of Christ, and knowing God means eternal life (see John 17:3).

Take a moment right now to speak to God. Go on. It isn't like you're in the middle of something. Tell Him who you are now and who you hope to become. Thank Him for the good circumstances you live in and the loving relationships you enjoy. Ask Him for help with a problem you face. Ask for advice. And tell Him you'll check in again soon.

...and remember to end it in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sharing the Gospel

Q. How do you tell a non member about the church? It's hard.

This is a tricky question, because every person and every situation will be different. So my main tip would be to try to be aware to the person's situation and be especially sensitive to your relationship with them. I would try to put your relationship with them first and pray for guidance.

During college, I spent some time in New Zealand, and I ran into this question myself quite often. The way I tried to handle it was, first and foremost, to live the gospel, keep the commandments and standards. Simply by not drinking coffee or not swearing, people noticed that I was a bit different. I didn't have to advertise that I was a 'Mormon'.

The friends I was with in New Zealand weren't members of the church there, but they had had encounters with members there. My impression was that the non-members' perception of the church was negative simply because the local members would befriend the others just so that they would get baptized. When the non-members didn't express interest in baptism right away, the members would stop trying to befriend them. My kiwi friends did not like that.

When non-members ask me about the church, I've found that the most effective way to 'proselyte' would be simply to have a sincere conversation with them about their beliefs. I tried not to make it a one-sided conversation. As I asked them questions about what they believed, and actually listened to what they were saying, the conversation was very meaningful to both of us. Then when they would ask me a question, it was more about what I believed personally (a testimony in conversation form) than it was a prescribed discussion.

I've found that people don't like to be told that they're wrong, and they don't like to be preached at, especially when they are receiving unsolicited information.

I think one of the biggest turn-offs to non-members is an attitude that we as members can 'save' them. I try to remember that I'm a sinner, and I need saving, and the only one that has the power to save is Jesus Christ.

This is one opinion, I welcome other comments and suggestions.

Ye Receive No Witness Until...

We (on this website) have emphasized the role of prayer in learning truth from God, but I must admit we have been leaving something out.

Some may get the impression that if any question arises, a good Mormon will kneel, ask God, and then 'pop!' the answer appears in their heads. This approach does work sometimes:

I knew a guy named Seth that couldn't for the life of him remember the name of an essay he was trying to explain to me. He was agonizing over it. You know the feeling -- it's on the tip of your tongue... I suggested he pray about it. At first he thought that was a silly idea. Then he went into another room and came out a few minutes later, beaming. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Seth said triumphantly, "I said a prayer and it just came to me."

This process is very similar to the scientific method: identify a problem, devise a test (prayer), perform the test, document the results, and adjust your actions to fit your new knowledge. The issue is that sometimes God wants to see (or wants us to see) how well we will adjust our actions before he gives us the answer. For example, it makes little sense for Him to affirm that Jesus is the Christ if you don't intend to ever become His disciple.

The Book of Mormon puts it like this, "...I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ether 12:6

Thus, the action comes before the answer. This is called a 'leap of faith,' and shows God a token amount of trust in Him and His messengers. Elder David A. Bednar, an Apostle in the Church, gave this illustration:

Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They walked into the river Jordan with a future-facing assurance of things hoped for. As the Israelites moved forward, the water parted, and as they crossed over on dry land, they looked back and beheld the evidence of things not seen. In this episode, faith as assurance led to action and produced the evidence of things not seen that were true.

Seek Learning by Faith, David A. Bednar

So, when you ask God if the Book of Mormon is true, do it with real intent. Read it. Invest some time in it. Show the Lord that you are willing to step into the baptismal font if this really is His church. These are the prayers that receive mighty answers.

‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you’
- Harold B. Lee, 11th president and prophet of the LDS Church

What Do Mormons Believe? - Prayer

Are we allowed to ask God for things? What can we ask for?

"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."
James 1:5

Looks like we're promised wisdom if we ask for it. He's giving it out liberally. You may even ask him specific questions about life, relationships, a verse from the scriptures, etc. When He says He won't 'upbraid,' it means he won't scold you for asking.

"Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Matthew 7:7-10

Hmm. So if we want something to eat he won't get all indignant on us and take us out to the tool shed for asking for it.

Some people are afraid to pray. I call it the Monkey's Paw effect. In the short story by W. W. Jacobs, the monkey's paw granted its owner £200 to pay for his house, but it cost him his son's life. The moral is loud and clear: be careful what you wish for. But, when it comes to our Father, we know He doesn't play games like that. He will not give us a stone when we ask for a loaf of bread. If we ask for something we shouldn't (like any good father), He will help us understand why, rather than scold us.

"Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase."
Alma 34: 24-25

Looks like if you're a farmer or a shepherd you're OK'd to ask for help with your job. But what about an accountant or a student or an auto mechanic? What can they pray for? Do you think He would help them too?

Have you had any experience with this? What did you pray for and how did you get it?