At about ten years of age I was learning the art of baking chocolate chip cookies. I wasn’t a highly skilled chef, but I had made this recipe several times and thought I was an expert.
On this particular day, I was mixing a batch of cookies under the indirect supervision of my dad; My mom was out for the afternoon and he was in the next room on his computer.
Things were going great until I came to the point in the recipe that called for baking soda. The recipe called for 1 ½ cups of baking soda. I got it out of the pantry, started to measure, and quickly realized that I didn’t have enough. So I asked my dad if he could help me find some in food storage, which he did.
As I headed back to the kitchen he nonchalantly asked me, “How much baking soda does the recipe call for?” I told him, a bit proudly, “one and a half cups.” He got a look on his face and in his “parent voice” asked, “Are you sure about that?” I replied “ya,” rolled my eyes, and went back into the kitchen to finish my cookies.
Finally, all the ingredients had been added and I was ready to eat my first bite of cookie dough. I took a huge first bite and immediately, I knew something was wrong.
Since then, in all my years of cooking, I have never come across a cookie recipe that actually calls for 1 ½ cups of baking soda. A more common amount of baking soda, and the amount the recipe actually called for, is a teaspoon and a half. A teaspoon is a pinch, while a cup is a handful. If you are at all familiar with baking soda, you know it is very, very bitter and I had ruined my cookies.
I did what any ten year-old would do. I stormed into the study where my dad was working at demanded “Why didn’t you tell me the recipe called for 1 ½ teaspoons BEFORE I added 1 ½ cups?” He smiled, and responded, “You didn’t ask me.”
Looking back on this experience I am forced to admit that my dad was not responsible for the bitter cookies. I had many opportunities to make that batch delicious.
First, I did not read the instructions carefully. This can translate into our spiritual lives. Spiritual speaking, many of us have heard the scriptures referred to as an instruction manual. Had I read the instructions carefully, even though I had read them before, I may not have added the wrong measurement.
My second mistake, I did not listen to ‘the voice” that my dad used in warning. Again, spiritually speaking, we have often heard the Holy Ghost referred to as the still small voice. It is a voice used for warning, teaching, and inspiring.
My third mistake, and the one I wish to address today, I did not communicate effectively with my father.
In October Conference, Elder Bednar, talked about prayer for the second conference in a row. In his talk, titled “Pray Always” the first principle he addressed was “Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings (see Alma 37:37).” He says “Simply stated, prayer is communication to Heavenly Father from His sons and daughters on earth. “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 752). We are commanded to pray always to the Father in the name of the Son (see 3 Nephi 18:19–20).”
Elder Bednard then goes on to explain that all things were created spiritually, before temporally. He says, “meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day.”
This means just as the scriptures say all things are created first spiritually, we can help spiritually create our day. In the morning, we thank, ask for things need, and then council with the Lord about our day. We can bring up anything important to us, a test a school, a project at work, our relationships with our family, or anything else we are concerned about. At the end of the day we again kneel before our Heavenly Father and let him know how it went—taking the time to thank him for the help with the test or project or let him know how things went with our family. Or, in some cases, taking the time to acknowledge that things may not have gone how we had hoped and asking for guidance on overcoming that trial.
Elder Bendar explains that prayers build on each other, with the evening prayer being a continuation of the Morning Prayer. He says “Morning and evening prayers—and all of the prayers in between—are not unrelated, discrete events; rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years. This is in part how we fulfill the scriptural admonition to “pray always” (Luke 21:36; 3 Nephi 18:15, 18; D&C 31:12).”
I personally have found that the first step in linking my morning and evening prayers is to actually have morning and evening prayers. I know that when I am in this routine, I feel closer to my Heavenly Father and know that he is helping me with my day.
The second principle Elder Bednar discussed is: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
This time of year, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, is an excellent time to practice heartfelt gratitude in our prayers. For me, one of the most memorable stories on the need for gratitude was given by President Monson he said ““The United States Post Office dead-letter department receives annually thousands and thousands of children’s pre-Christmas letters addressed to Santa Claus asking for things. After it was all over one year, a single, solitary letter thanking Santa Claus was received. Could this be one of the problems of this troubled world; that people think only of getting—not giving? Of receiving—and not even expressing their gratitude for that which they do receive?” (Friend, Nov 1975,).
This same sentiment can apply to our prayers. It is good to ask our Heavenly Father for things that we need. It is also important to thank him for the things we have. In his talk, Elder Bednar shares a story about hosting a member of the quorum of the twelve in his home. He and his wife and just received word that a close friend had died. The initial reaction was to pray for the surviving family. The visiting general authority, not knowing about the death, suggested that Sister Bednar only offer thanks in her prayer.
Elder Bednar says: “Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as the Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most importantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible for families to be together forever.
Our family learned from that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful prayer. Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with inspiration about a number of issues that were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts.”
The final principle Elder Bednar spoke about is: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
He uses the example of the Savior’s ministry on the American continent. During this time, the Savior prayed for the people and encouraged them to pray for understanding. He healed the sick, taught all those present, and sincerely prayed for them. In 3 Nephi 17:17 it says “And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” This verse explains that those people felt the impact of the Savior’s prayer so strongly that their souls were filled with joy.
Elder Bednar then asks, “Do our spouses, children, and other family members likewise feel the power of our prayers offered unto the Father for their specific needs and desires? Do those we serve hear us pray for them with faith and sincerity? If those we love and serve have not heard and felt the influence of our earnest prayers in their behalf, then the time to repent is now.”
Prayer is a way for us to effectively communicate with our Father in Heaven, express our sincere gratitude, and bless the lives of others.
In my personal story of the ruined chocolate chip cookies, I would like to highlight the fact that my dad never left. He was not hovering over my shoulder, stopping me from making mistakes or forcing me to do the right thing—I had my agency. But, he was always in the next room, within the sound of my voice and would have helped me if I had asked.
I am particularly grateful to know that my Heavenly Father is always within the sound of my voice. He doesn’t leave us. Sometimes he lets us make mistakes or go through trials so that we can improve ourselves and be stronger, and hopefully we learn.
Obviously, not all experiences are resolved as quickly as cleaning up a batch of cookies. But regardless of the circumstance, whether sweet or bitter, He is there, always within the sound of your voice. By learning to communicate more effectively with Him we can discover the power of meaningful prayer and the blessings it offers in our lives”
Testify.
