cinepro wrote:In theory, LDS believe prayer and faith have the power to move mountains and raise the dead.
In practice, we act like atheists.
Hi cinepro - I don't know if you were joking with this. If not, what do you mean? I'm interested in hearing more about this perspective, if you're willing to provide more detail.
This topic interests me as well, from a non-LDS perspective. One of the funniest passages in the Bible, to me, is in Acts 12, where people are praying:
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Whether they were praying for Peter's release from prison mentioned earlier in the passage is unclear, but I don't think it beyond the realm of possibility that they might be so doing - previously in the story we're told that they were praying for him:
Acts 12;5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
What's funny, to me, is they are "astonished" to see him free:
Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
The OP is a good question, related to the question of whether Peter was set free because they were praying or because he was going to be set free anyway.
If the former, it's too bad no one thought to pray for James.
Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
All that aside, your point is intriguing to me, cinepro.
.
(yet again...)