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(1/19/01)
"While we honor and revere Joseph Smith as the
Prophet of the Restoration and seek to emulate his qualities of character, we
adore and worship the Savior. That adoration is shown at each sacrament service
when we covenant to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember
him, and to keep the commandments which he has given to us, that we may always
have his Spirit to be with us. (See
Moro. 4:3.)
"The supernal status of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the preeminent place which
he occupies in the eternal scheme of things cause us to stand in awe at what has
been called the condescension of Christ, meaning his willingness to step down
from his exalted place and to go forth, as the scripture says, 'suffering pains
and afflictions and temptations of every kind;... that he may loose the bands of
death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that
his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know
according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their
infirmities,... that he might blot out their transgressions according to the
power of his deliverance.' (Alma
7:11–13.)" - Francis M. Gibbons, "The
Savior and Joseph Smith—Alike Yet Unlike," Ensign, May 1991, 33
2/17/06
Topic: Secret Prayer
"Obviously, secret prayer is necessary in many cases where it is awkward or
infeasible to pray vocally. So, if we are in a social or a business setting and
need comfort or direction, a resort to secret prayer is often our only
alternative.
"But a more significant reason for praying secretly is found in the Doctrine and
Covenants, section 6, where it is written, 'Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest
know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents
of thy heart.' (D&C 6:16.)
"Other scriptures broaden this concept to include not only God, but those whom
God inspires. So Zeezrom, the crafty lawyer who was taught by Alma and Amulek,
became convinced 'that they knew the thoughts and intents of his heart; for
power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the
spirit of prophecy.' (Alma 12:7.)
"It is clear, then, that Satan and his followers, who have been cast out of
God's presence and are dead to His Spirit, are excluded from those who, by the
spirit of prophecy and revelation, may know the thoughts and the intents of our
hearts. So, in his wisdom and mercy, God has provided a channel of communication
between him and his children on earth that Satan, our common enemy, cannot
invade. This is the channel of secret prayer. The significance of this to the
Latter-day Saint is profound, for by this means we are able to communicate with
our Heavenly Father in secrecy, confident that the adversary cannot intrude." -
Francis M. Gibbons, "The
Dual Aspects of Prayer," Ensign (CR), November 1991, p.78