Prayers are Heard and Answered

Some think that prayer is only communication of self with better self.  They think there is little or no hope of an answer except as things tend to fail into better prospective when a person communicates with himself or herself in the time worship.  The Book of Mormon, however, teaches a real communication with a God who not only can hear us all but also does hear us all and will answer when we ask in faith.

Passage:  Alma 34:18-27

Other passages:  2 Nephi 32:4, 8, 9; Enos 1:1-8; Mosiah 26:13, 14; 27:14; Alma 22:18; 34:38; 37:36, 37; 38:13, 14; 3 Nephi 18:18-23; Ether 2:14, 15; Matthew 21:21, 22; John 14:13, 14; James 1:5-7.

Study Questions:

1.  List ten scriptural cases of literal answers to prayers involving both temporal and spiritual matters.  

2.  Do the scriptures warrant the use of prayer for the improvement of one's economic circumstances?  What is the connection between temporal and spiritual affairs?  How does this expose the fallacy in the idea that "human rights" are more important than "property rights"?

3.  How are Book of Mormon teachings concerning prayer associated with Book of Mormon teachings concerning God's omniscience?

What relationship exist between the fast offering, for example and answers to prayers?  How could the prayers of Cornelius be answered?  (Acts 10)

5.  How do you know that a person has rejected the truth of the scriptures when he teaches that prayer's main or only purpose is communication with one's better self?

6.  Provide example(s) of how prayers have been answered for yourself and strengthened your testimony.

Additional talk from a Youth Fireside:

http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-4324-1,00.html