President Spencer W. Kimball on prayer and works

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"We pray for enlightenment, then go to with all our might and our books and our thoughts and righteousness to get the inspiration. We ask for judgment, then use all our powers to act wisely and develop wisdom. We pray for success in our work and then study hard and strive with all our might to help answer our prayers. When we pray for health we must live the laws of health and do all in our power to keep our bodies well and vigorous. We pray for protection and then take reasonable precaution to avoid danger. There must be works with faith. How foolish it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but how wise to ask the Lord's help to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain tings that we have learned. How stupid to ask the Lord to protect us if we unnecessarily drive at excessive speeds, or if we eat or drink destructive elements or try foolhardy stunts."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Faith Precedes the Miracle," p. 205

President Kimball often gave very practical advice. I always loved his down-to-earth counsel. This is a good example. He reminds us that praying isn't enough; we must DO something about it! God expects us to do our part, and then His blessings supplement, compensate, and enrich our efforts.

So the principle applies to learning, so wise judgement, to temporal success, to physical health—and to many other aspects of life! Prayer must be accompanied by action. That will bring the blessings of God upon us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
October 25, 2015