Recognizing Answers to Prayers

 Sacrament Talk

Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers

Given:

____September 15, 2024 Bainbridge GA ward

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Intro:

Hello, I am Elder Hall.  I am from Draper Utah - a town south of Salt Lake City.  I have been serving in your branch for about a month now.  I have been out in the mission field for almost a year.

I am grateful for this opportunity to speak today and to share some thoughts and a few personal experiences about RECEIVING ANSWERS TO PRAYER.  Most importantly I am grateful to stand and bear testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I have a strong testimony of God’s love.  I have never felt it more than I have this past year as I have been serving as a missionary.  

I. Our Personal Prayers 

I want you all to think about your personal prayers when life is going well. 

- How often do your pray?

- How long are your prayers?

- Are they very effective?  

- Does your mind wander in the middle of the prayer? 

- Do you fall asleep during your nightly prayer? 

- Do you pause and wait for an answer?

Now think about your personal prayers to your Heavenly Father when life is out of balance.  

Maybe you are experiencing a death in the family or a health crisis. Maybe you are in the middle of a job change or looking for employment. Maybe you are dealing with Bullies at school or struggling with your classes.  Maybe you need answers to life’s big questions, guidance with your next phase of life, or wondering if he or she is “the one”.  Or maybe you are enduring a faith crisis.

- How often do your pray?

- How long are your prayers?

- Are they very effective?  

- Does your mind wander in the middle of the prayer? 

- Do you fall asleep during your nightly prayer? 

- Do you pause and wait for an answer?

Let me add the question 

- Do you trust that God is listening to ALL of your prayers? 

Elder Richard G Scott spoke in General Conference a looooong time ago (1989) HIs talk was titled Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers.  In this talk he said:

“Communication with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter. It is a sacred privilege.”

He goes on to say:

“Don’t worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your Father. He hears every prayer and answers it in His way.”

I want to testify that this is true.  Because of the love our Heavenly Father has for us He is wanting us to reach out to Him and He is waiting to answer our prayers. There is nothing about us He does not know. He is conscious of our every need and can provide all of the answers.

II. Scripture Story

I am sure many of us can share experiences where we look back and recognize that we received answer to our prayers. But I doubt many of the stories include a bolt of lightning, a bump on the head, or hearing a loud voice telling us exactly what we need to do.  

As it says in Doctrine and Covenants 8:1-2 

1. verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart… 

2. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the holy ghost which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

III. Scripture Story 

We are all familiar with the story in 1 Nephi chapter 3 when Lehi tells his son that he’s has had a dream and they need to go retrieve the plates from Laban. 

In verse 4 Lehi is speaking to Nephi and he says: 

4. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness.

Nephi and his brothers know this isn’t going to be an easy tasks and the brothers aren’t too excited about going. Verse 5 reads:

5. And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.

The brothers complained and murmured and received no help. 

Nephi answered, in verse 7: “I will go and do”. Even after two unsuccessful attempts, Nephi kept trying not knowing how this was all going to work.  He was “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which (he) should do, Nevertheless (he) went forth.”

Nephi was willing to try time and again using his best efforts. He expressed faith that he would be helped. He refused to be discouraged. But because he acted, had confidence in the Lord, was obedient, he received guidance.

Elder Robert D Hales said: 

We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come.”

Once we receive an impression in our heart, we can rationalize it away or we can be like Nephi and act on it. 

IV. Personal Story

Growing up I KNEW I was supposed to serve a mission. My family has talked about me going on a mission since I was little. So I assumed when I turned 18 the decision to serve would be easy. But that was not the case. The year was a roller coaster of “yes I’m going” to “no I’m not going” and back and forth.

At the end of my senior year in high school, I was focusing on all the negatives in my life. Such as losing our high school state championship in football for the second year in a row. I wasn’t doing well in school and my friends were starting to move away. I had settled on “no I’m not going on a mission. I’m going to work and go to school”. I got a job and started getting registered for school.

However I noticed I was significantly less happy. It felt like I wasn’t completely whole - like something was missing. I felt lonely and empty. This lead to me distancing myself from the spirit. My prayers weren’t sincere and probably not very effective. 

My cousin served her mission in New England and in her farewell talk she said: 

When you do good, you feel good.

When you do bad, you feel bad.

When you do Nothing, you feel nothing. 

That year, I truly tested the “do nothing” part. 

In March, I met with my Bishop.  We discussed receiving the Melchizedek priesthood, getting my patriarchal blessing, and he advised me to read Doctrine and Covenants section 84. 

I started attending the temple with my friends, I made an appointment to get my recommend for my patriarchal blessing.  And after shrugging it off for several weeks, I finally decided to read this chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read there was one verse that stood out to me. Verse 46. It says, 

“And the spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into world; and the spirit enlighteneth every man through the world that hearkeneth to the voice of the spirit”.   

This scripture hit me hard because of how much I related with it. I had started attended the temple more, and I knew I was “receiving the light”.  As I listened to the talks given in sacrament meeting, I knew I was “listening to the voice”.  I knew the “spirit enlighteneth” me because of the peace I was feeling. I immediately knew this was no coincidence but rather Heavenly Father showing me his love and the compassion he has for me right when I needed it most.  It was then that my prayers became for sincere.

V. Patriarchal Blessing

I got my recommend to receive my patriarchal blessing in March. When I called our Patriarch, his first opening wasn’t until June 4th. These months of waiting were long and miserable for me. 

Finally the day in June arrived. I was excited to see what my blessing would say about possibly a wife or any “future telling” things. But I was most interested to see what it had to say about serving a mission. At this time I had decided I was not going on a mission. I figured that if my blessing didn’t say anything about a mission that it was God letting me know He accepted my decision. I received my blessing and to my surprise (& relief) it had nothing to say about me serving a mission. However something felt off. 

The following Saturday the patriarch called and asked if he could hand deliver the transcript of my blessing. Something he said he had only done once before. When he came to my house he told me that all week he felt as if he had left a very important part out of my blessing. He also encouraged me to pray to know that this “new part” was from the Lord.

Once he left, I opened my blessing and on first glance I saw the line saying “you will be called as a missionary”. 

I had received an answer to my prayers.  But I still waited six weeks to call my bishop. Fear is real folks.

On July 25, 2023, I met my bishop at his home and told him I was ready to serve. My papers went in a few weeks later. While waiting for my call, I received my endowment, started reading the Book of Mormon, I focused on gospel principles and engaged in church conversations. 

I received my call on September 5th. My life has changed.  I have never felt better or been happier. And I can honestly say, I have also tested and proved the “do good” part.  When you do good, you feel good. 

VI.  Act on Promptings

Our Heavenly Father is perfect and His love for us is beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He will answer ALL of our prayers but He wants us to act.  His answers won’t always be YES!  Sometimes the answer is no. I will humbly admit I was hoping for a different answer.  But today I can see the blessings that come from trusting in God’s love for me. 

Elder Richard G Scott said:

When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence.

When He answers no, it is to prevent error.

When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act.

I know in the beginning of this talk I said most of us have experiences we can share when we received an answer to our prayers but that most of the time is isn’t a lightning bolt or bump on the head.  Most of us won’t receive a “telegram from God” as my mom says I received.  But when we have a desire to KNOW God’s will for us and are willing to ACCEPT AND ACT on his answers, He will ALWAYS answer our prayers.

Conclusion:

I KNOW our Heavenly Father is aware of each one of us. He knows our questions and is waiting to answer them. He wants to be a part of our lives. I have learned that sometimes our will and the Lords will don’t align. But that the Lords way is the best way. He won’t change to what WE want. But He will love us and send little spiritual hints, answers to our sincere prayers, to help us and He will patiently wait until we align our will with His. 

I want to close with Elder Scott’s simple promise that “He will answer your prayers.  He is your loving Father and your are His beloved child.  He loves you perfectly and wants to help you. 

I testify that God lives. He sent his son to atone for our sins. Together they created the perfect plan for us to come to earth, learn from our past and look, with hope, to the future when we can all gather together in their presence again.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sacrament Talk about Hayden's Mission given by Mom

 Sacrament Talk about Hayden’s Mission 

In Romans the Apostle Paul asked, “how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent ?” (Romans 10:14-15)

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we learn that Jesus called his apostles to serve missions, saying “go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them, in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28). 

He said “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16)

He told Peter that if he loved him, “feed my sheep” meaning feed them the gospel – do missionary work!

Blessing at Home

What a great blessing it is to have a missionary. Our home feels different. Yes, it is a little quieter and our rooms are a little emptier, but it is filled with peace and a united purpose. Our thoughts are constantly on our missionary, his companion, the people he meets, and the friends he is teaching! 

Seeing the baby of our family get up early everyday, work from sun up to sun down, experience the more than occasional rejection, and still end the day excited to get up and do it all over again because he knows the purpose of his mission, has given our family a desire to follow his example. 

Having a missionary has brought a spirit to our home that has inspired our us to be a little better- a little better with our actions, a lot more focused with our prayers, and a little bolder with our testimonies. 

We have found ourselves drawing closer together as a family, united in our love for the Savior and our desire to share His message of hope and redemption. 

Mission Life

To give a quick update, Hayden is serving in the Florida Jacksonville mission. He has been serving for a little over five months and has spent the majority of his time in Tallahassee. Last week he was transferred to a small town near of Tifton Georgia called Alma. He is serving with his third companion, Elder Wengreen.  

He has experienced the highs and lows of missionary life. He’s had two companions crash their car. He’s spent a day stuck in a Nursing Home under a tornado watch. He showers with cockroaches and helps remove ticks from other missionaries. He enjoys the crazy rain storms of Florida and forgets that he has to wear sunscreen in March. He still flirts with everyone he meets and flexes when the lighting is good when we FaceTime. Some things will never change.

Mission Growth

But our Missionary is progressing, engaged and growing. The effort to find on a daily can be frustrating but he is prayerful and tries to never pass up an opportunity to share a message with someone. He enjoys his weekly service, being out and about, staying busy and loves to approach strangers.

In a conference talk about missionary work, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained  “The Lord has never required expert, flawless missionary efforts. Instead, “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind”.  

Hayden is not a perfect missionary but he loves the challenge of missionary work and is constantly trying to get it right. 

Elder Uchtdorf continued saying, “You will eventually become better, happier, and more authentic. Talking with others about your faith will become normal and natural. In fact, the gospel will be such an essential, precious part of your lives that it would feel unnatural not to talk about it with others.” 

Over the last five months I have watched this happen with Hayden. He is becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

I love to hear the details of his daily efforts. He understands the need for check lists but recognizes the importance of having the spirit in his lessons. He sees little miracles in the day to day and knows the Lord is guiding the work. 

Hayden has found strength in prayers, comfort in the scriptures, and has tremendous faith in the work. Recently, after meeting a young girl, he regretted not getting her contact information. He wondered if they’d ever meet her again. A few weeks later, he had his companion pull into the local Circle K so he could use the restroom and to his surprise, this same young girl had just started a new job behind the counter at Circle K. 

Hayden has had the privilege to stand in a filled baptismal font twice in Tallahassee. He was asked to baptize Nevaeh who the sisters had taught. Knowing it was his first time baptizing someone, his mission president had him “practice” on him. Hayden hated every second of that but in the end, was grateful for the chance to get it right without an audience.  

A few weeks later, Debra, a lady Hayden and his companion had been teaching asked if they’d stay after church so she could talk to them.  Of course they assumed the worst. When they met her in a classroom she quietly asked if she could be baptized. Shocked they explained the few requirements she needed and set a date for her baptism. Unfortunately conflict in her home has prevented Debra from being able to be baptized.  

Hayden’s friend Eric comes to church each week. He loves the gospel and understands that through the atonement of Jesus Christ he can be forgiven of his past sins. On March 16, Eric chose to accept the invitation to follow the Savior and entered the waters of baptism. 

We have been blessed with a front row seat to witness firsthand the power of missionary service. The light of the gospel shines bright in missionaries.  Hayden has grown to love those he is serving. Perhaps even more profound is that our family has developed a love for these people whom we have never even met.

Conclusion

He also has a love for the Savior and His work. In a conversation I had with him a few weeks ago, he wrote, “I love how the gospel gives people hope for their future. I took it for granted because I have known it my whole life. It is amazing that some people have never known about the realm of possibilities in the afterlife and that there is always forgiveness. The gospel and the life of Jesus Christ didn't just HAPPEN. It is HAPPENING” 

He is right, It IS happening. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. God lives and loves every one of us. I Know this with all my heart. THAT is why I willingly sent my son to do His work. 

After the Apostle Paul asked “how shall they preach except they be sent ?” He said “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

I love my missionary. I am grateful he is willing to sacrifice two years of his life to “preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things.” I love missionary work. I know there is a work to do. There are many awaiting the message - I hope we will all take every opportunity we are given to declare it and share it. 

Talk in Tallahassee 4th Ward

 Sacrament Talk

New Beginnings and Change

Intro:

Hello, I am Elder Hall.  I have been serving in your ward for THREE weeks and I have been out in the mission field for THREE weeks. I am from Draper Utah - a town south of Salt Lake City. I was born EXACTLY nineteen years ago today.  I’m serious.  Today is my birthday so I want to thank you for the opportunity to feel a nervous and stressed on a day that should be fun and pleasant.  (ha ha). 

I am actually grateful for this opportunity to speak today. I am grateful to introduce myself, to share some thoughts and a few personal experiences, and most importantly - to bear testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I have a strong testimony of God’s love.  I have never felt it more that I have these past six weeks as I have begun my service as a missionary.  

I have been asked to speak to you today about changes and new beginnings. Obviously this topic is perfect for me.  I feel the last two months have been filled with nothing but change and new beginnings.

I. What Am I?

I would like to begin my talk today with a question or a riddle. 

I am unused, unspotted, without blemish.

I will present each day for you to place upon it your imprint.

It remains for you to make of me what you will;

Each hour of the 365 days, I will give you 60 minutes

But it is up to you to fill those minutes.

What am I?   If you haven’t guessed it by now - It is the New Year. 

II. Reflections on the New Year

In Roman mythology Janus is the god of beginnings.  He is responsible for the new year.  He holds sacred the first hour of the day, the first day of the month, and the first month of the year - January - which bears his name. He’s represented with two heads set back to back - one looking at the past and the other looking ahead to the future. Janus is a model of reflection and renewing. 

Many people set aside sometime every January to reflect and make written lists.  RESOLUTIONS. They ask themselves questions like: “What have I learned?” and “What will I do differently?”

When making these list, we tend to pause a minute look to the past and learn.  We learn from our mistakes and recognize the blessings.  We also take time to realize how far we have come.  Then we don’t linger looking back.  We look to the future, excited, energized, and ready to live. 

III. Words of Wisdom

Words of encouragement are everywhere now days. Maybe you will recognize some of these simple words of wisdom.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift... that's why they call it present” said Master Oogway

Gusteau in Ratatouille said: “If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.”

Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame told us: “Today is a good day to try.”

And Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets said: “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are … it is our choices.”

A personal favorites came from Shuri in Black Panther when she said; “How many times do I have to teach you: just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”

And finally - “Do or do not. There is no try.” Yoda

I love that we have a prophets offering us guidance and encouragement as well. 

President Gordon B Hinckley said :

“Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know how, and the Lord will accept your effort.”

President Thomas S. Monson gave us some ABC’s as we begin our journey in to the new year when he said:

“May we … cultivate a positive ATTITUDE, a BELIEF that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the COURAGE to face whatever challenges my come our way.  Then the abundant life will be ours.”

IV. Personal Story

I would like to tell you about this last year of my life and the changes and new beginnings that occurred. 

Growing up I KNEW I was supposed to serve a mission. My family has talked about me going on a mission since I was little. So I assumed when I turned 18 (EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO ha ha) the decision to serve would be easy. But that was not the case. The year has been a roller coaster of “yes I’m going” to “no I’m not going” and back and forth.

In the spring, I was focusing on all the negatives in my life. Such as losing our high school state championship in football for the second year in a row. I wasn’t doing well in school and my friends were starting to move away. I had settled on “no I’m not going on a mission. I’m going to work and go to school”. I got a job and started getting registered for school.

However I noticed I was significantly less happy. It felt like I wasn’t completely whole - like something was missing. I felt lonely and empty. This lead to me distancing myself from the spirit. 

In March, I met with my Bishop.  We discussed receiving the Melchizedek priesthood, getting my patriarchal blessing, and he advised me to read Doctrine and Covenants section 84. 

I started attending the temple with my friends, I made an appointment to get my blessing.  And finally, after shrugging it off for several weeks, I finally decided to read this chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read there was one verse that stood out to me. Verse 46. It says, 

“And the spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into world; and the spirit enlighteneth every man through the world that hearkeneth to the voice of the spirit”.   

This scripture hit me hard because of how much I related with it. I had started attended the temple more, and I knew I was “receiving the light”.  As I listened to the talks given in sacrament meeting, I knew I was “listening to the voice”.  I knew the “spirit enlighteneth” me because of the peace I was feeling. I immediately knew this was no coincidence but rather Heavenly Father showing me his love and the compassion he has for me right when I needed it most. After this I knew my decision needed to change. 

V. Change Requires Action

When we have a desire to CHANGE - change requires ACTION.  If we look at our past New Years Resolutions, I don’t think anyone writes, “sit back and wait for change to happen.” Or “do nothing”.  Our lists are filled with things we want to DO!! And Doing requires effort. 

President Nelson, when asked if being a prophet is hard, answered: 

“Of course it’s hard. Everything to do with becoming more like the Savior is difficult. The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it.”

My cousin is serving her mission in New England and in her farewell talk she said: 

When you do good, you feel good.

When you do bad, you feel bad.

When you do Nothing, you feel nothing. 

Last year, I truly tested the “do nothing” part. 

VI. Patriarchal Blessing

As I said, back in March, I got my recommend to receive my patriarchal blessing. When I called our Patriarch, his first opening wasn’t until June 4th. These months of waiting were long and miserable for me. 

Finally the day in June arrived. I was excited to see what my blessing would say about possibly a wife or any “future telling” things. But I was most interested to see what it had to say about serving a mission. At this time I had decided I was not going on a mission. I figured that if my blessing didn’t say anything about a mission that it was God letting me know He accepted my decision. I received my blessing and to my surprise (& relief) it had nothing to say about me serving a mission. However something felt off. 

The following Saturday the patriarch called and asked if he could hand deliver the transcript of my blessing. Something he said he had only done once before. When he came to my house he told me that all week he felt as if he had left a very important part out of my blessing. He also encouraged me to pray to know that this “new part” was from the Lord. 

Once he left, I opened my blessing and on first glance I saw the line saying “you will be called as a missionary”. 

On July 25th, I met my bishop at his home and told him I was ready to serve. My papers went in a few weeks later. While waiting for my call, I received my endowment, started reading the Book of Mormon, I focused on gospel principles and engaged in church conversations. 

I received my call on September 5, 2023. My life has changed.  I have never felt better or been happier. And I can honestly say, I have also tested and proved the “do good” part.  When you do good, you feel good. 

I know many of you are not in a place where you are deciding whether or not to serve a mission.  Maybe you aren’t even needing a big spiritual change or new beginning.  But I want to testify that God is in the details of your life.   

I KNOW our Heavenly Father is aware of each one of us. He knows our questions and is waiting to answer them. He wants to be a part of your life. I have learned that sometimes our will and the Lords will don’t align. But that the Lords way is the best way. He won’t change to what WE want. But He will love us and send little spiritual hints to help us and He will patiently wait until we align our will with His.  I encourage you to include him in your choices and decisions - even your New Years Resolutions. 

Conclusion: 

I would like to close with three suggestions offered from our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

First, resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation. This may involve setting a specific time and place to study the scriptures, praying more often, making temple worship a bigger priority, and letting God prevail in all aspects of your life.

Second, resolve to be kind to others. When the Savior Jesus Christ visited the Americas, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, one of the first things He taught was the need to eliminate contention in our lives. So, please be compassionate, be understanding, be slow to judge, and be quick to forgive.

Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).

I testify that God lives. He sent his son to atone for our sins. Together they created the perfect plan for us to come to earth, learn from our past and look, with hope, to the future when we can all gather together in their presence again.  

May God bless you and may this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us. I leave these thoughts with you - in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.