One single prayer

Here is the Proof: 

"It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally." (vs.14)  Joseph Smith History

Though unsure of himself, the young Joseph Smith knelt in solitude in a wooded area near his home...

Sacred Grove, NY

  In this single attempt to pray to a God he had only heard about (at this point in his life) this young brave man uttered possibly the most powerful prayer in this dispensation. Unaware that this prayer alone would usher in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ...and all because this young man inquired of the Lord. 

 "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction." (vs. 15) Joseph Smith History

Satanic powers and darkness are real.  

This is one thing we can learn from Joseph Smith's experience with prayer. Darkness is around us...and Satan's powers are indeed real. Satan knew before Joseph even entered the woods that spring morning that this young man would rock his earthly empire and with all of his power, Satan tried to stop him. In Joseph Smiths own words from  Joseph Smith History  

"It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me?"  (vs. 20) 

How often have these power of darkness combined against us? How often is it that the thought of prayer will enter our mind only to be buried by worldly distraction. Often occurring over and over again until eventually the moment has passed and the precious thought of prayer has been left behind. Days, weeks...for some, even months will pass...after that point, how could we pray to Him -- Our Father in Heaven.
Would he recognize my voice? 
Has he moved on and forgotten me? 
Would my problems even matter? 
I have questions...does prayer really bring answers? 
Satan places these thoughts of doubt in our mind because he has witnessed first hand the power of one single prayer and what can come from it.  He knows of our potential, just a he did Joseph Smiths, and he will do everything in his power to keep us from praying and remain in our lowly state of doubt and misery.

Light and Truth will always come from God. 

"But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound." (vs. 16 & 17) Joseph Smith History

Of course our prayers matter! This is another thing we can learn from that one single prayer of Joseph Smiths...Our Father in Heaven will never let Satan prevent us from praying. In our greatest moments of need, our Father will be there. Our earthly experiences can help us see why? Earthly mothers and fathers want to hear from their children...so why wouldn't a very loving Father in Heaven want to hear from His? Especially when they need him the most. 

 We should never be ashamed to pray. That moment when Satan has us in his grasp is the moment we should pour out our souls, pleading for relief. 

Prayers can be offered in silent thought, we can kneel, we can be standing or sitting-- Elder Russell M. Nelson made it a point that the "physical position is less important than spiritual submission to God". 

Our prayers might not be answered as quickly as we hope. The answer most likely wont come in the form of a great vision, but more so in the way of a thought or feeling. It may even be years later when we can look back on a difficult time and realize our pleas for help were answered, only we did not recognize it at that time.  It might not even be until that very moment when we are ready to sink into despair and abandon hope just as the young Joseph Smith described. It might come after we have soaked our pillows with our tears night after night (2 Nephi 33:3)   "For I pray continually...by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night...and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry." The answers will come! 

Relief will come!

Even Joseph Smith, a prophet of God, when he was being held in Liberty Jail he pleaded for relief...but the answer he received was "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." 

Our Father in Heaven loves us and I am sure weeps with us when we crumble and feel at our lowest, yet he will not step in and hinder our growth. We should not be surprised by this, even loving mortal parents don't say yes to every request of their children. 

When God appeared to young Joseph that spring morning he called him by name and immediately introduced him to "His beloved son", our Savior Jesus Christ, and told Joseph to "hear him". 

Our father knows us. He wants us to return home to him...and our selfless, loving brother -- Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, has made it possible. 

He is the LIGHT and TRUTH that COMES FROM GOD. 

It is my testimony that God does indeed hear every prayer. Satan will do all he can to stop communication between our hearts and the heavens above. Keep praying! We are always worthy because Jesus Christ has paid for any mistake that would prove us unworthy. He lives for us so, that through him, we can always be close to our heavenly home. 

The profound claims we make as a religion

I have held many different callings as a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are too many to list and even remember, but a calling that I currently hold, one that this is near and dear to my heart, is the calling of Youth Sunday School Teacher.
Every Sunday I get the opportunity to face a room filled with 15-18 year-old young men and young women who humor me as I attempt to teach them about religion.
This calling brings me great joy...but also great fear. Not the nervous type of fear that stirs within our bellies as we stand and instruct, but the realization that I only have a meager 45 minutes, once a week, to share something that will leave an impression. Something that will build strength in their testimonies and carry them through the week ahead until I hopefully see them in class again on the following Sunday. Talk about pressure.

Brainwashed. 

This past week a story from a local TV news station popped up on my Facebook feed. Advertising to the world more chatter about a small religious group in Southern Utah and their foretelling of "DOOMSDAY" coming later in the week. Being human, I was inquisitive to what they anticipated. I skimmed through the highlights of the story but found my attention drawn to the comments following the story.
"Brainwashed" was the word many used.
One comment however, stung...It read "If you want to talk brainwashed, lets talk about the Mormons. A boy see's God. God tells this boy where a book made of gold is. This Boy finds the book, he's able to read it but only with a magic rock, they build a "temple" that only certain people can go in and those certain people wear these magical undies that protect them....now that is brainwashed. Talk about ridiculous beliefs!"

Well....when you say it that way. I was troubled by that interpretation of my religion. As I wrestled with the silliness of it, ironically, the words of that same "Boy who saw God" came to my mind. Words he had recorded in the first 10 verses of Joseph Smith History .

"During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though  my feelings were deep and often poignant, still if kept myself aloof from all these parties....so great were the confusion and strife among (them)....in the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done?"

The Claims we make.

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was inspired when she spoke April 3rd, 2016 at the Churches Sunday morning General Conference session. The words from her talk Do I believe were meant for me. 

"We believe that this church is more than just a good place to go on Sundays and learn how to be a good person. It is more than just a lovely Christian social club...It is not just a great set of ideas that parents can teach their children at home so they will be responsible, nice people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is infinitely more than all of these."

- We believe in a Prophet who was visited by God and Jesus Christ when he was just a boy.

- We believe that our leaders hold The Priesthood of God. 

- We believe that only through the Priesthood we can receive the saving ordinance of Baptism. 

- We believe the Holy Ghost is a gift from God to us. 

- We believe in living apostles and prophets. God Speaks to us through these prophets. 

- We believe ordinances preformed in temples are only made possible through priesthood power. 

- We believe that familes can be bound together for eternity. 

- We believe that our temples are literally the house of God. 

- We believe that we can preform ordinances for our ancestors in the temples. 

- We believe that we have received additional scriptures, adding to the testimony of the Bible. 

- We believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on earth.

- We believe these priesthood authorities and temple ordinances can be found in no other place or organization on earth.

Do I believe?

"We have a knowledge of these things, but do we believe them? If these things are true, then we have the greatest message of hope that the world has ever known."

(Bonnie L. Oscarson)

I had the opportunity to share the great message over the past couple months....did it bring about new converts to my religion. No.
The only convert was me. Every time I would speak explaining what I believed in and why, the spirit of truth spoke even louder to my very own heart.

I DO BELIEVE IT!

The Greatest Challenge.

In Sister Oscarson's talk she speaks of one of the greatest challenges we face. Its the finger pointing and taunting spoken of in the Scriptures regarding Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life and the "great and spacious building". I have seen it. That discussion on Facebook is proof.

But I have come to realize that its not just the finger pointing coming from others...its the mockery and the words they will use. So easily their words will sting us to the core, making all that we believe to be true and sacred sound silly.

We are those who have struggled to reach the tree. We are those who have partaken of the fruit. Will we become ashamed because of those who mock and make jokes of our beliefs? Will we step away from the tree and follow other paths? Will we become those who were lost? Or will we stand firm?

"We need only to keep feasting and not heed those who would make fun of our beliefs or those who delight to create doubts or those who find fault with church leaders and doctrine. It is a choice we make daily -- to choose faith over doubt." 

(Bonnie L. Oscarson)