Mosiah 26:39 — LeGrand Baker — prayer without ceasing
Mosiah 26:39
And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things.
There is a phrase in this verse that is almost unique, it is “pray without ceasing.” The only other place in the scriptures it is found is Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-20.
There is another phrase that is found only in the Book of Mormon, and there only twice. It seems to have a slightly different connotation. It is “pray continually”
Another similar phrase, and is found in each of the standard works except the Pearl of Great Price. It is “pray always.”
I had always assumed they all three meant the same thing—until today when I asked, “is their contest the same, or does their contexts suggest a different meaning. What I found was, to me at least, most interesting. They are all different from each other, and I would like to show you.
“Pray always” is an admonition, and each time the phrase is used there is a blessing promised to one does. I’ve given a quick synopsis of each, then I add an “appendix” where I will quote each in context.
There is a phrase in this verse that is almost unique, it is “pray without ceasing.” The only other place in the scriptures it is found is Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-20.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
There is another phrase that is found only in the Book of Mormon, and there only twice. It seems to have a slightly different connotation. It is “pray continually”
2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
Alma 13
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch andpray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;
29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.
Another similar phrase, and is found in all the standard works except the Pearl of Great Price. It is “pray always.”
I had always assumed they all meant the same thing until today when I asked, “is their contest the same, or does their contexts suggest a different meaning. What I found was, to me at least, most interesting, and I would like to show you.
“Pray always” is an admonition, and each time the phrase is used there is a blessing promised to one does. I’ve given a quick synopsis of each, then I add an “appendix” where I will quote each in context.
Luke 21:34-36 — “pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy”
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12 — “pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy”
2 Nephi 32:5-9 — “pray always… that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee”
3 Nephi 18:14-21 —
D&C 10:3-5 — “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror”
D&C 19:37-39 — “pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you”
D&C 20: 32-34 — “ pray always, lest they fall into temptation”
D&C 31:11-13 — “Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.”
D&C 32:3-5 — “pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding”
D&C 61:38-39 — “Pray always that you enter not into temptation”
D&C 88:123-127 — “Pray always, that ye may not faint”
D&C 90:22-26 — “pray always, … and all things shall work together for your good”
D&C 93:49-52 — “pray always lest that wicked one have power in you
…. pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place….”
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APPENDIX
Luke 21:34-36 — “pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy”
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12 — “pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy”
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Nephi 32:5-9 — “pray always… that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee”
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
7 And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.
8 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.
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye mustpray 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 thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
3 Nephi 18:14-21 —
The instructions from the Savior are “pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil;….
pray always lest ye enter into temptation;….” Then there is a switch in order: “always pray…whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.”
14 Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you.
15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.
16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
17 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto his disciples, he turned again unto the multitude and said unto them:
18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
19 Therefore ye must always prayunto the Father in my name;
20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
21 pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.
D&C 10:3-5 — “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror”.)
3 Nevertheless, it is now restored unto you again; therefore see that you are faithful and continue on unto the finishing of the remainder of the work of translation as you have begun.
4 Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end.
5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.
D&C 19:37-39 — “pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you”.)
37 And speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing, crying—Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord God!
38 pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
39 Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness?
D&C 20: 32-34 — “ pray always, lest they fall into temptation”
32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;
33 Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
34 Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.
D&C 31:11-13 — “Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.”
11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.
12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.
13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.
D&C 32:3-5 — “pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding”
3 And Ziba Peterson also shall go with them; and I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail against them.
4 And they shall give heed to that which is written, and pretend to no other revelation; and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding.
5 And they shall give heed unto these words and trifle not, and I will bless them. Amen.
(D&C 61:38-39 — “Pray always that you enter not into temptation”
38 Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not.
39 Pray always that you enter not into temptation, that you may abide the day of his coming, whether in life or in death. Even so. Amen.
D&C 88:123-127 — “Pray always, that ye may not faint”.)
123 See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.
124 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.
125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.
126 Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
127 And again, the order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests, even down to the deacons—
D&C 90:22-26 — “pray always, … and all things shall work together for your good”
22 And let the bishop search diligently to obtain an agent, and let him be a man who has got riches in store—a man of God, and of strong faith—
23 That thereby he may be enabled to discharge every debt; that the storehouse of the Lord may not be brought into disrepute before the eyes of the people.
24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.
25 Let your families be small, especially mine aged servant Joseph Smith’s, Sen., as pertaining to those who do not belong to your families;
D&C 93:49-52 — pray always lest that wicked one have power in you …. pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place….
49 What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.
50 My servant Newel K. Whitney also, a bishop of my church, hath need to be chastened, and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place.
51 Now, I say unto you, my friends, let my servant Sidney Rigdon go on his journey, and make haste, and also proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the gospel of salvation, as I shall give him utterance; and by your prayer of faith with one consent I will uphold him.
52 And let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Frederick G. Williams make haste also, and it shall be given them even according to the prayer of faith; and inasmuch as you keep my sayings you shall not be confounded in this world, nor in the world to come.