A talk radio show said God doesn’t answer prayers. Does He?

Dear Gramps,

I feel pretty discouraged when I pray in “someone else’s” behalf and the prayer never seems to get answered. I was listening to a talk radio show that discussed prayer and it was mentioned that God doesn’t answer prayers, we answer them ourselves in some way. Sometimes I wonder if God DOES answer prayers.

Shirley, from Colorado

Dear Shirley,

Let me ask you a few questions. Do believe that God exists and that he is the Father of the spirits of mankind?

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9).

Do you believe that the Bible, Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are the word of God?

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:15).

And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith (Alma 31:38).

And, as it is written–Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive (D&C 29:6).

Do you believe that Joseph Smith was telling the truth when he said,

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. (Joseph Smith History 1:13-14)

So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally

And do you believe that in answer to that prayer he

saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith History 1:17)

Or, do you believe in talk radio shows?

Gramps