Question
Gramps,
A friend told me that you can think a thought, and only God knows it. Speak it out loud, and the adversary will use it against you, but the moment you address the Father in prayer, His ear is turned to yours, and Satan can no longer hear you. Is the part about addressing Father true? I hope so! Thanks!
Kelly
Answer
Kelly,
Can Satan actually know or read our thoughts? The answer, drawn directly from scripture and reinforced by leaders and teachers in the Church, is clear: Satan cannot read our minds. In Doctrine and Covenants 6:16, the Lord says, “there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intent of thy heart.” This fundamental truth means that only God can see into our minds and know our innermost feelings and intentions.
However, while Satan cannot read our thoughts, he is observant. He and those who follow him can discern much from our words and actions. As Francis M. Gibbons explained, while the adversary can convey thoughts and temptations, he must wait for those thoughts to be reflected in our words or actions before he can know if his suggestions have taken root. “We should also be wise in the way we guard precious things that are revealed to us by the Spirit. Often we talk too much. We say things that need not be said, or should not be said; for in saying them, we may open a crevice which enables Lucifer to wedge his way into our lives.”
It is, therefore, not in his power to read or intercept our internal prayers or thoughts. Yet when we speak or act, including praying out loud, those expressions become things that others—including the adversary—can observe.
If Satan and his followers can hear our vocal prayers, does that mean we should refrain from vocal prayer or withhold sacred desires from our spoken supplications? This is a common concern, but doctrinal guidance is reassuring.
First and foremost, scripture explicitly commands us to pray both vocally and in our hearts. In Doctrine and Covenants 19:28, the Lord says, “And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.” This dual invitation—to pray both silently and vocally—shows that vocal prayer is a vital part of discipleship.
Some have worried that speaking desires aloud gives Satan more tools to disrupt my desires for blessings from my Father. However, the consensus among Church teachers is that there is no need to worry. Satan already knows us probably better than we know ourselves, given his long existence and knowledge of humanity. Trying to surprise the adversary or hide our plans from him is ultimately futile—he can see patterns in our behavior and gauge our priorities from our actions and words.
What truly matters, then, is not whether Satan hears your words, but whether you trust in the Lord’s strength to overcome any opposition. This is illustrated perfectly in the scriptural account of Moses. After seeing the Lord, Moses was confronted by Satan, who commanded Moses to worship him. Moses was unshaken, as he had seen the Lord in His glory but could look upon Satan with his natural eyes. Despite Satan’s rage and the tremor he caused in the earth, Moses “received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only Begotten, depart hence, Satan” (Moses 1:21). Ultimately, Satan had no power over Moses because Moses was empowered by God.
So while Satan may know your plans, whether you pray aloud or silently, fear not. As long as you stay on the Lord’s side, you will be victorious. Whether your personal prayers are aloud or silent is really a matter of personal preference. Try not to worry too much about Satan; the Lord is on your side, that’s all that matters.
Another aspect of this topic concerns not only what the adversary can know, but also what he can actually do with that knowledge. Does giving voice to our struggles or desires weaken us in spiritual battle? Again, the answer is rooted in doctrine: Satan’s power is strictly limited by agency.
Satan’s influence in our lives comes only insofar as we allow it. Satan has no power except as we permit it. You always have the choice and the power to resist that which is evil and to choose that which is good. And you are fully responsible for every choice you make. The old saying, ‘Satan made me do it,’ is a cop-out, inspired by the adversary himself to entice us to feel a lack of responsibility for that which we do.
Helaman, in the Book of Mormon, taught his sons Nephi and Lehi about spiritual resilience: “it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds… it shall have no power over you to drag you down… because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).
Therefore, efforts to merely hide our spiritual plans or struggles—such as through silent prayer—are less important than living in a way that prevents the adversary from influencing our thoughts or actions, regardless of what he might observe externally. Upright living, faith, and a focus on Christ are what truly limit Satan’s power in our lives.
Some have specifically wondered about the temple’s sacred setting. Is it possible for the adversary to hear what we say within those hallowed walls? While it is widely reported anecdotally that the adversary cannot tempt us in the temple, there is no official doctrinal statement to that effect. I am unable to find any doctrinal declaration that Satan is not able to hear words spoken in the temple. I have heard temple patrons say that the adversary cannot tempt us while we are in the temple. I have never read any official doctrine specifying that a person cannot be tempted within the temple, either. When I contemplate this question, I believe the adversary can definitely hear what is spoken within the temple walls. I don’t see any reason why he would be stopped. I say this because, even in the temple, I have heard of things being stolen from lockers.
Thus, while the temple is a place of unparalleled spiritual protection and focus, it is still wise to guard sacred truths, be mindful of our speech, and keep our hearts turned to God.
Given what has been explored about the adversary’s limited knowledge and power, what practical advice can we draw?
Obey the Commandments Regarding Prayer: Embrace the Lord’s command to pray both vocally and in your heart. There is power in both forms of prayer, and expressing your faith aloud strengthens your relationship with Heavenly Father.
Guard Sacred Things Wisely: While there is no need to fear the adversary overhearing your prayers, it is wise to be discreet about sacred or deeply personal revelations, sharing them only in appropriate settings and with the right spirit.
Do Not Live in Fear: Standing on the side of the Lord ensures victory over the adversary. Satan’s power is limited and ultimately can never match the grace and strength found in Christ.
Take Full Responsibility: Remember that the adversary cannot make our choices for us. Agency is our defining gift and our sure defense against evil.
What truly ensures our safety is not secrecy, but trust in God, faithful prayer—both aloud and silent—and unwavering discipleship. As Helaman taught, when we build on Christ, nothing the adversary does can drag us down. The Lord is on our side, and as long as we remain on His, we have nothing to fear.
Gramps
