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Specifically, I mean cause God to act in a manner different from how he would act but for the prayer(s)? So, let's say God was going to let a woman's husband die of cancer, but the woman prayed in earnest along with a thousand others, is it consistent with LDS belief that the outcome could be changed by prayer?

No need to list all of the other reasons for prayer...as I understand those. I just have never been clear on my own belief as an LDS regarding this issue and it has puzzled me for years. Clearly, LDS believe that God can give "answers" to prayers--such as "yep, your husband is going to die of cancer" or "nope, he is going to make it" or "yep, the Book of Mormon is true" or "your keys are in the oven" etc. But can outcomes be changed by prayer from what they would be without prayer?

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What is the most useless and empty act of false kindness someone can do in Mormonism? Add someone's name to the temple prayer list.

The LDS believe that Heaven wouldn't exist without our faith. 'splain that one mista!!!

mms wrote:Specifically, I mean cause God to act in a manner different from how he would act but for the prayer(s)? So, let's say God was going to let a woman's husband die of cancer, but the woman prayed in ernest along with a thousand others, is it consistent with LDS belief that the outcome could be changed by prayer?

No need to list all of the other reasons for prayer...as I understand those. I just have never been clear on my own belief as an LDS regarding this issue and it has puzzled me for years. Clearly, LDS believe that God can give "answers" to prayers--such as "yep, your husband is going to die of cancer" or "nope, he is going to make it" or "yep, the Book of Mormon is true" or "your keys are in the oven" etc. But can outcomes be changed by prayer from what they would be without prayer?

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My understanding is that when one prays for someone who is ill, it is a combination of an act of faith, an act of respect for God's will, and an opportunity for us to understand God's will, whatever that may be, and receive comfort and peace.

If you are praying for someone to recover from an illness, if it is God's will, that person will be healed. If it is God's will that the person will pass away, you, as someone who prayed for that person, will receive comfort and an understanding of God's will that this person is in a better place.

Mercury wrote:What is the most useless and empty act of false kindness someone can do in Mormonism? Add someone's name to the temple prayer list.

It depends. If the person has faith that he/she will get better because his/her name is on the prayer roll, then he/she can be subject to a placebo affect, which can actually help that person recover.

In theory, LDS believe prayer and faith have the power to move mountains and raise the dead.

In practice, we act like atheists.

If someone prays for a healing and the person dies, it is God's will.

If someone prays for a healing and the person gets well, they were going to die but God intervened and altered the normal course of life.

If someone doesn't pray and the person dies, it is because they didn't have enough faith, or were sinning, or were hard hearted, not a member or something along these lines.

If someone doesn't pray and the person gets well, it is a fluke or because of the doc, or just good luck.

All bases are covered!

~td~

Our life is a lesson where we learn that random acts can and do occur. If a rock breaks off and rolls down a mountain and strikes a family car travelling down the road it isn't necessarily an act of God. Things just happen, its the way of things.

Everyone born into this world struggles with these random chaotic acts. Part of the great Plan of Happiness is instructing us on how to deal with these things. when we are baptised we ask to be held to a higher standard of conduct in how we deal with these things.

God can and often does intervene in these events, more so if we pray and ask him to. That is why he so many times asks us to ask him to help us. This right to pray and ask God is in no way an exclusive right held by Mormons. Many people offer prayers and have them answered.

Along with this you may take into account Priesthood blessings. My own wife had her Multiple Sclerosis sent into submission by a priesthood blessing given by a faithful High Priest of the Church.

Hi Gaz,

Along with this you may take into account Priesthood blessings. My own wife had her Multiple Sclerosis sent into submission by a priesthood blessing given by a faithful High Priest of the Church.

I'm glad for your wife and glad your belief has helped you.

My former SIL, an atheist was in a coma for several months with virtually no chance of surviving. Several times the docs encouraged my brother to take her off of life support. He didn't and guess what? She got better. No priesthood blessing.

A woman dying of cancer in my ward was given many priesthood blessings that she would live... her husband, a firm believer with enough faith that he truly believed his power would heal her, died.

I see a world filled with children starving to death... darn that God would intervene to help my neighbor find her keys but I guess the people praying for the world's children just don't have enough faith? Or do they need Mormon men to go give them blessings so they can exist without food and water?

As I said, all the bases are covered.

Gazelam wrote:
God can and often does intervene in these events, more so if we pray and ask him to. That is why he so many times asks us to ask him to help us. This right to pray and ask God is in no way an exclusive right held by Mormons. Many people offer prayers and have them answered.

Along with this you may take into account Priesthood blessings. My own wife had her Multiple Sclerosis sent into submission by a priesthood blessing given by a faithful High Priest of the Church.

(Emphasis supplied)

So God does not necessarily know what he is going to do in a given circumstance because he does not know if we are going to pray or get a Priesthood blessing? Or since he knows all, he knows when we are going to pray and when we are going to get a blessing and he knows what the result will be?