Applying the scriptures
In 2 Nephi 32, the importance of prayer in understanding the doctrine of Christ is emphasized by Nephi.
Understanding and anticipating the efforts of Satan to dissuade people from exercising this privilege, Nephi wrote:
"And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
"But behold, I say unto you, that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord, save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that the performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." (2 Nephi 32:8-9.)
Speaking in general conference of October 1919, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, applied Nephi's counsel to all activities, even those that some people might not consider an appropriate setting for prayer:
"Have we any right as Latter-day Saints who profess to keep the commandments of the Lord, to open our dances without prayer, or other amusements? . . . I say unto you, No. It makes no difference whether it is pleasure, whether it is our daily labor, whether it is the service of the Lord in teaching the gospel and trying to save mankind. Whatever it may be, that thing should be consecrated by prayer, and every performance, for the welfare of our souls."
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