My goal as a blogger is to write about those things that will help each of us draw nearer to the lord. The Lord said, “draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” With that image in mind I would like to discuss the following scripture. The Lord describes Himself as “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” D&C 33:1
“You can’t pray a lie.” Or at least that’s what Huckleberry Finn discovered, and based on this scripture I think most church members would agree with Huck.
When we call upon the Lord in prayer, our hearts need to be right if we want to be heard. In other words, we need to be sincere. I’ve learned from experience that the Lord will hear prayers from unworthy lips, if asked with a worthy, a sincere heart.
The Lord knows the thoughts and the intents of our heart. When we are sincere, having real intent, the Lord will hear and answer our prayers.
It is not possible to draw near to the Lord with our lips when our hearts are far from Him. But when our hearts are near to the Lord the prayers that fall from our lips are worthy, even though we may not be. The Lord is merciful to such and will provide blessings; those who are wise will continue to call on the Lord and learn of the condescensions of Christ in their behalf.
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption. (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:15 – 16)
Notice that in the above verses there is no mention of keeping all of the commandments. Why, because no one can. The emphasis is on having faith unto repentance. That is, having faith in Christ and believing that our sincere desire an efforts to keep the commandments encircles us in the arms of safety.
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