Mormon Musings

“The minute a man stops supplicating God for His Spirit and direction, just so soon he starts out to become a stranger to Him and His works. When men stop praying for God's Spirit, they place confidence in their own unaided reason, and they gradually lose the Spirit of God.”  (  “Some Sentence Sermons,”  Improvement Era,  Aug. 1944, 481. ) 

No such sincere, prayerful effort will go unanswered: that is the very constitution of the philosophy of faith.   Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. Thomas S. Monson, “Seeking Help From Heavenly Father,”  Ensign , August 2011.

Surely such a loving Father in heaven, who gave commandments to prevent human misery, will not forget the needs of each of his children. William Law observed: “It is said that the very hairs of your head are all numbered; is it not to teach us that nothing, not the smallest things imaginable, happen to us by chance? But if the smallest things we can conceive of are declared to be under the divine direction, need we, or can we, be more plainly taught that the greatest things of life, such as the manner of our coming into the world, our parents, the time, and other circumstances of our birth and condition, are all according to the eternal purposes, direction, and appointment of divine Providence?” ( A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life,  William Law, Sovereign Grace Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1971.) God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Spencer W. Kimball, First Presidency Message, December 1974 http://

http://lds.org/ensign/1974/12/small-acts-of-service?lang=eng

http://lds.org/ensign/1974/12/small-acts-of-service?lang=eng

I have always been impressed with an experience President Hugh B. Brown, former member of the First Presidency, shared with me when I was serving a mission under his direction in the British Isles. He told about his mother's encouraging words as he left on his mission when he was about twenty years of age. This, essentially, was her message, as I recall. Hugh, you remember when you were a little boy and you would have a bad dream or wake up in the night frightened, you would call from your room: "Mother, are you there?" and I would answer and try to comfort you and remove your fears. Now as you go on a mission and out into the world there will be times when you will be frightened, when you feel weak, inadequate, alone, and have problems. I want you to know that you can call to your Heavenly Father as you used to call to me and say: "Father, are you there? I need your help." Do this with the knowledge that he is there and that he will be ready to help you if you

“He [Heavenly Father] is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience: “When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence. “When He answers no, it is to prevent error. “When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth.” Richard G. Scott ,  “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 30

“Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with ‘Thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).” Boyd K. Packer ,  “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 46

Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all of the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response. Gordon B. Hinckley ,  "The Message: Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field," New Era, Mar. 2007, 4

"A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it." Richard G. Scott ,  "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, 8

They who reach down into the depths of life where, in the stillness, the voice of God is heard, have the stabilizing power which carries them poised and serene through the hurricane of difficulties. — Spencer W. Kimball

whether you've never heard/read it, or have it memorized, its worth another read/listen: http://lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come?lang=eng

"Satan would diminish your faith and dilute your priesthood power to work mighty miracles, but a loving Heavenly Father has provided you with providential protection--the gift of the Holy Ghost. In the first chapter of the Book of Mormon we learn that as Lehi read the scriptures 'he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord' (1 Ne. 1:8-12). Nephi later promises us that as we 'feast upon the words of Christ . . . the words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do' (2 Ne. 32:3). "You may be facing decisions regarding a mission, your future career, and, eventually, marriage. As you read the scriptures and pray for direction, you may not actually see the answer in the form of printed words on the page, but as you read you will receive distinct impressions, and promptings, and, as promised, the Holy Ghost 'will show unto you all things what ye should do' (2 Ne. 32:5)." Spencer J. Condie ,  "Becoming a Great Benefit to Our Fellow Being

“Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth.” ( D&C 19:38 .) During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught us a pattern for prayer: “After this manner therefore pray ye: 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. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” ( Matt. 6:9–13 .) He further instructed, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” ( Luke 18:1 .) “Watch and pray,” He said, “that ye enter not into temptation.” ( Matt. 26:41 .) In this dispensation He admonished, “Pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.” ( D&C 93:49 .) The Savior declared to  Joseph Smith , “In nothing doth ma