God Are You There?

“God, are you intimately involved in my life?” Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that God hears and answers prayers. After all, the foundation of the church was laid as result of a young boy’s prayer. Joseph Smith’s heartfelt and faith filled prayer resulted in the personal visit of God, our Eternal Father and His son Jesus Christ.  I bear witness that God was intimately involved in Joseph Smith’s life as He tutored and taught him to become the mighty prophet of the Restoration. Furthermore, He has been intimately involved in my life as I have prayed for guidance and the ability to feel His hands bless me. Frequently people feel that God is not involved in their lives because He may not answer their prayers in the way they would like.

There are many factors that come into play when we seek Heavenly Father’s assistance: faith, the agency of man, the refining process, as well as God’s wisdom and eternal perspective, just to name a few of them. The scriptures give us examples of God’s involvement in His children’s lives.

            Often, after a demonstration of faith in Him, God sends help to His children. (Ether 12:6) Some examples are: Daniel’s delivery from lions, after he prayed three times daily, though the law prohibited it (Daniel 6:10), Job’s fortunes were restored, after he lost everything, yet he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10), Paul prayed with faith and people were healed. (Acts 28:8) Alma’s people prayed in their hearts, and their burdens became light. (Mosiah 24:12-15) There are a vast number of scripture accounts that witness to the truth of the statement that inspired Joseph Smith when he read, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering…” (James 1:6)

            Those who do not believe that God’s hears and answers prayers might say, “Why was Joseph Smith not allowed to get out of prison, if God answers prayers? Joseph Smith prayed in faith yet he was left in prison all those winter months.” Joseph Smith did receive an answer to his prayers. It may not have been the way that others wished or expected, but the Lord did give an answer as he stated, “ …if the very jaws of Hell shall gape open their mouth wide after thee, know thou my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 122:7) God did not take away the agency of those whom imprisoned Joseph Smith. Though God could have changed the circumstances, we see God’s wisdom at work, as He chose to leave Joseph in the “refiner’s fire”.  It is clear that praying yields answers, but more needful is accepting God’s will because “Man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend “(Mosiah 4:9).  Having faith that God knows better than we do, brings peace to our lives.

Because evil is raging about the earth, many individuals lack the faith needed to see God’s hand working all around them. In his most recent conference address, the apostle Neil L. Anderson explains, “As we are spiritually awake and alert we see His hand across the world and we see His hand in our own personal lives.” (Thy Kingdom Come , April 2015 General Conference address)

 I experienced God’s hand in my life as I was praying for guidance about actions that I could make in my life to become a better servant of God? The answer I received was that I should begin writing a book about what my church believes. I did not have this impression once, but each time that I prayed.

I began to write and I shared my writings with both friends and extended family.  When my Catholic husband’s grandmother became very ill, I asked my Catholic in-laws to read her my book. On occasion, I received feedback from my father-in-law regarding what he had read. Only seven months after I began sharing my writings, my father-in-law suddenly died of a heart attack. .As a result of God providing promptings and instructions for me, I was blessed to share the gospel with my father-in-law in a way that I would not have otherwise done. In this way, I know that I showed him the highest degree of love that I could, while my time to show love was temporarily being ended.

            Lastly, one who faithfully asked God for wisdom, had man’s agency working against him, was refined and brought to death, has given an added witness that is found in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. In Joseph Smith’s written revelations, God states, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is His wrath kindled, save those who confess not His hand in all things, and obey not His commandments. " (D&C 59:2)