He Spoke I Went

At the beginning of December, I prayed for something very specific: the opportunity to give someone a Book of Mormon before Christmas. As I followed promptings to adjust my plans, I met someone who willingly accepted a copy. She even expressed a desire to read it and attend Christmas services. Although she didn’t read as promised or come to church, I have come to see that Heavenly Father still answered my prayer.

In Matthew 7:7-9 The Savior taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Prayer invites us not only to ask, but to trust the Lord with the outcome.

Elder David A. Bednar reminds us in “Ask in Faith” that meaningful prayer involves both sincere asking and righteous action. I acted on the prompting. What happened next was not mine to control.

In Alma 32:28 we are taught Alma faith often begins as a seed. If we plant it, “it will begin to swell within your breasts.” Whether or not we see immediate growth, the ground was prepared, the seed has been planted—and God cultivates and nourishes it in His time.

Elder Richard G. Scott taught: “Ask, and ye shall receive … does not assure that you will get what you want. It does guarantee that, if worthy, you will get what you need, as judged by a Father that loves you perfectly.”

President Dallin H. Oaks has taught that real intent in prayer means being willing to do whatever the Lord asks—not seeking a specific result, but offering our will to His. This experience reminded me that specificity in prayer is not about controlling outcomes, but about consecrating our desires to God and trusting Him with the harvest.

I am grateful for all who prepared the soil, planted seeds of faith, and lovingly nurtured my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.