Comments on: Why do many Saints fold their arms instead of their hands while praying?

By: Horace

Horace — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 10:25:00 +0000

Two thoughts on this
1) I had heard once upon a time that it originated with some kind of masonic symbolism
2) Whatever the primary adopted as the “standard” to teach the kids would become the norm

By: Dennis HE Wiggins

Dennis HE Wiggins — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 19:30:00 +0000

As a convert, I have often wondered the same thing. Personally, I think it is more for the children (as we lead by example) to help keep them still rather than “fidgeting” during prayer.

By: MormonMama

MormonMama — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 02:03:00 +0000

I’ve always wondered this myself. One person told me they thought it was just to keep the busy hands and arms of children occupied during prayer. Sounds like as good an explanation as any to me!

By: Josh Foster

Josh Foster — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 22:52:00 +0000

If you were a soldier in a war and were praying in your tent when an enemy barged in, your reaction time would be slightly slower if you were folding your arms as opposed to your hands. The same is true with kneeling verses sitting. In other words, in those positions, you are more vulnerable but also more dependent on God for His protection. Traditions often started through this type of reasoning, but I’m only offering this as my speculation as to one of the potential origins for this particular tradition.