I could probably list a small handful of times in my life where I was certain that Heavenly Father not only existed, but also that he knew me specifically. One of these definitive moments was an answer to a defiant comment I made to my mom. "God is not listening when I pray." For the events that transpired during the week following my comment, there is no other answer than God knew me, heard me, and loved me. (I will share that experience more fully another time.)
So it is with that in mind that I bring the focus onto my question. Shawn has listened to me, ad nauseam, struggle with the following concept. Basically, I want life to be fair, and I want to know that God is just--not only in the afterlife, but while we are living on the earth.
My question centers around this scripture(and others like it).
"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." (3 Nephi 18:20)
I have chosen this scripture because it is in the Book of Mormon, thus mooting the "as far as it is translated correctly" point. What this scripture says to me is that if you pray with a righteous desire, having faith, God will give it to you.
Allow me the indulgence of citing an example that is often taught in church. Alma and Mosiah prayed
for their sons because they were doing unrighteous things, and hurting themselves and others. An angel appeared to them in answer to the prayers of the Father's and the church and their hearts were changed.
The antithesis of this scripture is evident in the lives of many--I will list just one. A dear sister in my ward had her husband die of a sudden heart attack about 10 years ago. She has two daughters who have left the church and are making crappy decisions in their lives(doing drugs, criminal issues etc...). She is praying, serving in callings, believing and having faith. Why are her prayers not answered?
Agency you say? Well, Alma and Mosiah's sons had agency as well, yet an angel stopped and redirected them.
Lord's timing? I understand this concept. In retrospect, it is always easier to see the way God directs our path to places, experiences and people. I have had experiences where I have --in retrospect-- seen the value of having lived my life according to God's plan, instead of mine.
However, this is where I struggle. So why would a caring, loving, just Father in Heaven promise me otherwise? Why wouldn't he simply say (as he did in other scriptures), pray and do everything you can and it will all work out in the end. Instead he says "it will be given unto you".
Any thoughts? I would love to hear how you reconcile this scripture. I am posting this question in hopes that one of you can shed some light on it for me. Please chime in, this only a discussion if someone else comments. Otherwise it is just me talking to myself, which while not unusual, doesn't give me any answers.
I have chosen this scripture because it is in the Book of Mormon, thus mooting the "as far as it is translated correctly" point. What this scripture says to me is that if you pray with a righteous desire, having faith, God will give it to you.
Allow me the indulgence of citing an example that is often taught in church. Alma and Mosiah prayed
for their sons because they were doing unrighteous things, and hurting themselves and others. An angel appeared to them in answer to the prayers of the Father's and the church and their hearts were changed.
The antithesis of this scripture is evident in the lives of many--I will list just one. A dear sister in my ward had her husband die of a sudden heart attack about 10 years ago. She has two daughters who have left the church and are making crappy decisions in their lives(doing drugs, criminal issues etc...). She is praying, serving in callings, believing and having faith. Why are her prayers not answered?
Agency you say? Well, Alma and Mosiah's sons had agency as well, yet an angel stopped and redirected them.
Lord's timing? I understand this concept. In retrospect, it is always easier to see the way God directs our path to places, experiences and people. I have had experiences where I have --in retrospect-- seen the value of having lived my life according to God's plan, instead of mine.
However, this is where I struggle. So why would a caring, loving, just Father in Heaven promise me otherwise? Why wouldn't he simply say (as he did in other scriptures), pray and do everything you can and it will all work out in the end. Instead he says "it will be given unto you".
Any thoughts? I would love to hear how you reconcile this scripture. I am posting this question in hopes that one of you can shed some light on it for me. Please chime in, this only a discussion if someone else comments. Otherwise it is just me talking to myself, which while not unusual, doesn't give me any answers.
2 comments:
Enos 1 :15 Do you have the faith of Enos? The lord covenanted with him for his desires, and hundreds of years later the Lord is still working on bringing it about
Matt: Thanks for putting yourself out there and giving me an answer. :) I realize that the way I wrote this post didn't give way for a quick-friendly retort. However, the lack of a response has been in some ways a confirmation that perhaps others either feel the same way, or don't have an answer either. (Or simply a confirmation that I am talking to myself :))
Interesting that you'd bring up the story of Enos--it is one of my favorites in the scriptures. Perhaps that is exactly the response I needed to hear. Maybe if I went and reread the story in it's entirety, I would understand more completely.
Am I lacking in faith? An interesting, probing question.
Thanks for listening, Jenny
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