President Spencer W. Kimball on learning the language of prayer

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

"Learning the language of prayer is a joyous, lifetime experience. Sometimes ideas flood our mind as we listen after our prayers. Sometimes feelings press upon us. A spirit of calmness assures us that all will be well. But always, if we have been honest and earnest, we will experience a good feeling—a feeling of warmth for our Father in Heaven and a sense of his love for us. It has sorrowed me that some of us have not learned the meaning of that calm, spiritual warmth, for it is a witness to us that our prayers have been heard. And since our Father in Heaven loves us with more love than we have even for ourselves, it means that we can trust in his goodness, we can trust in him; it means that if we continue praying and living as we should, our Father's hand will guide and bless us.... 

"After a lifetime of prayers, I know of the love and power and strength that comes from honest and heartfelt prayer. I know of the readiness of our Father to assist us in our mortal experience, to teach us, to lead us, to guide us. Thus, with great love, our Savior has said, 'What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always.' (D&C 93:49.) 

"If we will do so, we shall gain for ourselves personal knowledge that our Father in Heaven truly hears and answers prayers. This knowledge he wants each of us to have. Seek it, my beloved brothers and sisters! Seek it!" 

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Pray Always," Ensign, Oct. 1981, p. 3
Click here to read the full talk 

"The language of prayer" President Kimball invites us to learn doesn't refer to the form of speaking or address we use when we speak the prayer.  It refers to the way we feel divine communication in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

I love the sweetness of the testimony that comes "after a lifetime of prayers" for President Kimball.  There is a power in saying "I know..." when there is such deep and prolonged personal experience.  The concluding promise is sincere and sure; the invitation for us to seek the gift is heart-felt.  This is a man who has precious knowledge and wants others to feel the blessing too.

We each have our own lifetime of prayers up to our current day; and perhaps we need to resolve to increase our commitment to this principle so that we can bear a testimony like that of President Kimball.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 1, 2015

Elder Quentin L. Cook on finding time for inspiration

Elder Quentin L. Cook (1940- ) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"We live in a noisy, contentious world, where it is possible to be viewing or listening to information, music, or even pure nonsense virtually every waking hour. If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings. We will avoid major mistakes if we heed His warnings. It is our privilege as members to receive light and knowledge from Him even to the perfect day. (See D&C 50:24.)" 

- Quentin L. Cook, "We Follow Jesus Christ," General Conference April 2010; click here to read the full article

Life in our day becomes increasingly complicated, as new distractions appear constantly. I suspect the adjectives "noisy" and "contentious" were carefully chosen to describe our world. And the distractions vary from "information" to "music" to "pure nonsense" — most of us can see examples of each of those in our own lives or those close to us!

What wise counsel this is: "slow down, ponder, pray." Turn off the distractions, at least part of the time. Look for opportunities to find blessed silence, to contemplate our blessings, to commune with God. It's hard to conceive that we would "receive light and knowledge from Him" while we're immersed in the distractions!

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

February 20, 2015

President Russell M. Nelson on sacred personal prayer

President Russell M. Nelson (born Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

"Have you gone to a quiet, secluded spot to be all alone? Have you found your own 'Sacred Grove' equivalent, where you can pour out the secret longings of your soul in prayer to your Father in Heaven? Have you really conversed with God as one man speaks to another? Have you really declared your allegiance to him and your availability to him, without any reservation? Have you said, 'Here I am Lord! Use me!'? Have you pleaded with him, and as you did, have you put behind any counterfeit clichés that may have been part of your prayers in the past? Have you cleanly and completely declared your commitment to be a saint, an elder, a righteous disciple through good times and bad? Such a resounding resolution would bring joy to your Heavenly Father."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Reflection and Resolution," BYU devotional, January 7, 1990
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This is an inspiring invitation from President Nelson. Speaking to BYU students almost two decades ago, he challenged them to a level of prayer that would bring them close to God and result in profound blessings.

The challenge starts with finding a "'Sacred Grove' equivalent" for our personal communication with God. The need for solitude and quiet peace is critical to making the process effective. Once we find that environment, we then are prepared to "pour out the secret longings of your soul in prayer."

The part of President Nelson's challenge that particularly inspired me was the level of commitment he invites us to make as part of our prayers. We not only "cleanly and completely" declare our allegiance to God and desire to follow Him in humble obedience, but also declare our availability—our willingness to participate and contribute in any way that God would ask of us. In effect, we consecrate our lives to Him. That is a level of powerful, profoundly sincere and humble prayer that we all should aspire to.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President David O. McKay on the personal nature of prayer

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"I have cherished from childhood the truth that God is a personal being, and is, indeed, our Father whom we can approach in prayer and receive answers thereto. I cherish as one of the dearest experiences of life the knowledge that God hears the prayer of faith. It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the manner, we anticipate; but they do come, and at a time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication.

"There have been occasions, however, when I have received direct and immediate assurance that my petition was granted. At one time, particularly, the answer came as distinctly as though my Heavenly Father stood by my side and spoke the words. These experiences are part of my very being and must remain so long as memory and intelligence last. Just as real and just as close to me seems the Savior of the world.

"I feel as I have never felt before that God is my Father. He is not just an intangible power, a moral force in the world, but a personal God with creative power, the governor of the world, the director of our souls. I would have all men, and especially the young people of the Church, feel so close to our Father in heaven that they will approach Him daily—not in public alone, but in private. If our people will have this faith, great blessings will come to them. Their souls will be filled with thanksgiving for what God has done for them; they will find themselves rich in favors bestowed. It is not imagination that we can approach God and receive light and guidance from him, and that our minds will be enlightened and our souls thrilled by his Spirit."

- David O. McKay, Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 152–53

What a wonderful thing it is to have learned and experienced, from early childhood, that God is real and that our communication with Him can bless our lives! President McKay shared his own personal faith in the power and blessing of that communication, and in the need we have to develop the faith and trust in God and in His timing as we wait for, and prepare for, responses to our needs. Those answers always come "at a time and in a manner best" for our interests.

I loved President McKay's testimony of the reality of his experiences, and the sense of divine love that permeated his very being! To truly understand, through personal knowledge, that our God is a "personal God" whom we can approach frequently and with confidence and gratitude, is a powerful aspect of our moral existence.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Spencer W. Kimball on private personal prayer

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

"Now, some things are best prayed about in private, where time and confidentiality are not considerations. Prayer in solitude is rich and profitable. Praying alone helps us to shed shame or pretense, any lingering deceit; it helps us open our hearts and be totally honest and honorable in expressing all of our hopes and attitudes.

"I have long been impressed about the need for privacy in our personal prayers. The Savior at times found it necessary to slip away into the mountains or desert to pray. Similarly, the Apostle Paul turned to the desert and solitude after his great call. Enos found himself in solitary places to commune with God. Joseph Smith found his privacy in the grove with only birds and trees and God to listen to his prayer. Observe some keys in his story: 'So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. … 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.' (JS—H 1:14; italics added.)

"We, too, ought to find, where possible, a room, a corner, a closet, a place where we can 'retire' to 'pray vocally' in secret. We recall the many times the Lord instructs us to pray vocally: 'And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.' (D&C 19:28.) So central is this to our prayers and personal religious life that the Lord instructed the priesthood brethren to 'visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.' (D&C 20:51.)"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Pray Always," Ensign, Oct. 1981, p. 3
Click here to read the full article

This excerpt comes from a "First Presidency Message" prepared by President Kimball. There were many insights in this article that are worth reviewing. He discusses prayer in public and family settings, and then turns to the importance of our individual, personal prayers. This description illustrates ways that our personal prayers can benefit us:

The importance of praying vocally, even during our personal prayers, is very significant. Perhaps we don't often consider this because of the relative inconvenience, the challenge of finding that kind of privacy. But President Kimball witnesses that this vocal aspect is "central ... to our prayers and personal religious life."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Gordon B. Hinckley on finding peace and strength through prayer

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing too unimportant to share with Him. He has said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matt. 11:28). He continues, 'For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' (Matt. 11:30).

"That simply means that when all is said and done, His way is easy to bear, and His path is easy to trod. Paul wrote to the Romans, 'For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost' (Rom. 14:17).

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ must be a beacon light before you, a polar star in your sky."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," General Conference April 2004
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

What classic counsel: "Never assume you can make it alone." How much we need one another to help bear our burdens and endure to the end; and so much more critically, how desperately we need the help of our loving Heavenly Father!

Prayer truly is the choicest of gifts and will bring us rich blessings and profound support as we learn to communicate with God. Another profound truth: "Nothing is too serious and nothing too unimportant to share with Him." We should never hesitate to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President George Q. Cannon on finding hope in times of gloom

President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1860. He served as counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young beginning in 1873, and then to the next three presidents, until his death in 1901.

"I do feel to say to my brethren and sisters, do not be discouraged. Do not allow darkness and gloom to enter into your hearts.

"I want to give you a rule by which you may know that the spirit which you have is the right spirit. The Spirit of God produces cheerfulness, joy, light, and good feelings. Whenever you feel gloomy and despondent and are downcast, unless it be for your sins, you may know it is not the Spirit of God which you have. Fight against it and drive it out of your heart.

"The Spirit of God is a spirit of hope; it is not a spirit of gloom. We should pray for hope, if we do not have it. Hope is a gift from God. Faith is a gift from God. Faith, hope and charity are the gifts that we should seek for, that our minds may be filled with the radiant light of hope."

- George Q. Cannon, discourse at Utah Stake Conference, Provo, Sunday 1/14/1894; see The Deseret Weekly, March 10, 1894, vol. 48 no. 12 p. 351; and Gospel Truth, 1:183 Click here to read the full talk

I love President Cannon's "rule" for discerning spirits. There is no gloom or sadness in the Spirit of God. On the contrary, it brings us light and cheerfulness:

There seem to be times in life when we wage a battle against an adversary, and we feel the importance of President Cannon's encouragement: "Do not allow darkness and gloom to enter into your hearts." We must instead cultivate the Lord's Spirit that will push those other feelings out of our lives. With the Spirit of God, there is always hope—hope that comes as a gift from God, even "the radiant light of hope."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Quentin L. Cook on finding time for inspiration

Elder Quentin L. Cook (1940- ) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"We live in a noisy, contentious world, where it is possible to be viewing or listening to information, music, or even pure nonsense virtually every waking hour. If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings. We will avoid major mistakes if we heed His warnings. It is our privilege as members to receive light and knowledge from Him even to the perfect day. (See D&C 50:24.)"
- Quentin L. Cook, "We Follow Jesus Christ," Ensign, May 2010, p. 83; click here to read the full article

Life in our day becomes increasingly complicated, as new distractions appear constantly. I suspect the adjectives "noisy" and "contentious" were carefully chosen to describe our world. And the distractions vary from "information" to "music" to "pure nonsense" — most of us can see examples of each of those in our own lives or those close to us!  What wise counsel this is: "slow down, ponder, pray." Turn off the distractions, at least part of the time. Look for opportunities to find blessed silence, to contemplate our blessings, to commune with God. It's hard to conceive that we would "receive light and knowledge from Him" while we're immersed in the distractions!