PRAYER
Perhaps there is no
subject less understood than that which we have placed at the head of these remarks,
and yet it is as it were the life and existence, or rather the source of it, in
the true saint of God. How exalted indeed must be the condition of that man,
who, whatsoever office he may fill, is prepared continually to go before his
heavenly Father, unbosom his feelings, and lay all things before him with the
simplicity of a child, and ask for his guidance and blessing upon that in which
he is about to engage. How many errors, indeed, would be avoided, if we continually
sought for wisdom and light from God through the medium of prayer. And we would
here remark, that there is no one exempt from the duty of prayer, let their position
be ever so exalted they stand in need of the light and intelligence of the
Spirit of God continually, and if they wish for success in their various
enterprises, it will be found to be associated only with a continual
application to the throne of grace, and blessings consequent upon so doing.
We are aware that no
one enters into the kingdom of God without commencing a career of trial and difficulty.
Well, what would be our best and sincerest counsel to such a one? Most
assuredly to live near unto God, to be in constant communion with him by
prayers and supplications, that we might not err in our ways, but we do al
things in accordance with the mind and will of God. The grand secret of
salvation is endurance unto the end, but this can only be effected by
the application of the great principle upon which we are now treating. There is
no power in man to save himself, he can only come into a state of security by
becoming the recipient of another spirit, even the Spirit of God; therefore, how
necessary is it that he should ever be in such a state as to approach
acceptably into the presence of God, and obtain that aid which is so
essentially necessary to his salvation.
In making these few
remarks, we mean them fully to apply to ourselves as well as to our readers,
and let no one mistake about this subject, for whatever is their position, be
it arduous and difficult, or otherwise, the grand secret of success will be
found to be a constant communication with our heavenly Father, in which we can
lay all things before him, and ask in the name of Jesus Christ for wisdom and
power to do all things in accordance with his own will.
Let the Saints
reflect upon this subject deeply, it is applicable to all; how much trial and
difficulty and evil feeling would be removed, if the parties were in company to
go before the Lord, there explain all things and seek for wisdom and
intelligence to rectify and put in order all things that may be wrong.
Presidents of the
conferences, of branches, and all officers, we address these lines to you, give
heed to these injunctions and you will be blest, your labours will not be in
vain, neither shall you have to look around and find your brethren in hostility
to yourself, but you shall find that having sought for the spirit of the Lord,
that you have become of one mind and heart, and that you can act together in
concert, and the Evil One shall not have power over you.
We consider this subject
as extremely simple and easy to be understood. The great plan of redemption is
to impart unto man a spirit and power foreign to himself, but by which he shall
be enabled to overcome and triumph. The spirit is the spirit of God, and it is
only by a constant career of faithfulness and diligence in seeking for the same
that we can overcome any present difficulties, and be prepared for entering into
that rest which is prepared for the people of God. Let then the Saints of God
be individually an example to all men of their diligence in this respect, we do
not mean that they should make a display of their piety, but that they should
constantly feel the necessity of trusting in the power and blessing that they
should constantly feel the necessity of trusting in the power and blessing of
God, and never fail to ask for light and intelligence to be our attendant in
our progress onward to eternal life.
Let such a course of conduct
in this respect be ours, and our success is certain, and our everlasting reward
is sure, while our pilgrimage shall be cheered by the bright coruscations of
the principles of truth, which will, while we are childlike and honest,
continue to illumine the path to immortality and eternal life. (Thomas Ward, “Prayer,”
in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 7, no. 12 [15 June, 1846]:202-3)