The Bingham family, currently living in Oregon, has been dealt more than their fair share heartache. Three of their five children have been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that can be fatal. The Binghams are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a faith often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon church), and they have unique and powerful ways of handling their adversities.[1] 

The Binghams’ Story

When Sierra, Jason and Stacy Bingham’s oldest daughter, was six, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, and after a whirlwind of medical care and angst, Sierra received a heart transplant. This alone was an intense and rigorous experience. The Binghams thought that their family’s heart concerns were behind them. Then their third child was diagnosed with the same condition.

Lindsay, the second of the Bingham children to be diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, also needed a transplant, and when she received hers, Sierra’s body started to reject her transplant from six years previous. Through medical treatment, doctors were able to stabilize Sierra’s heart and body, but the Binghams are still left with anxiety and concern. Their son Gage started exhibiting signs of heart failure when he was only three. The Binghams’ medical journey is far from over.

Trusting in Priesthood Blessings

Each of their children who have had heart difficulties have also received priesthood blessings. Mormons believe in the “laying on of hands,” as practiced in the Old and New Testaments. Men in The Church of Jesus Christ can be ordained to offices within the priesthood, predicated on worthiness. Through the priesthood, which is the exercising of the power of God, worthy holders can administer blessings of healing and comfort.

Sierra, Lindsay, and Gage all received special priesthood blessings when they were in the throes of their medical emergencies. These blessings call down the powers of God to heal, support, and comfort the recipients. The most important thing to know about blessings, however, is that those involved need to trust in God and in His will and timing.

Mormons Believe in Miracles

When Lindsay was facing the same road that Sierra walked earlier, Jason wrote on the family blog that God blessed Sierra with a miracle and that He could do the same for Lindsay. Mormons believe in miracles and know that God’s power knows no bounds or limitations. The Binghams understand that God has His own plan for their family, and while they may not know the details, they do know that God loves them and is caring for each of them.

We should note that not every situation results in the miracles we pray for. Again, God has His own plans for us, and we need to trust that His will is wiser and more grand than our own. Heavenly Father will always lead us to Him and will always empower us to handle whatever trials we face. Having faith in God doesn’t mean that everything works out the way we want it to; what it does mean is that we can trust that whatever happens will be for our good and eternal growth.

Stacy and John admitted on their blog that at the time of Sierra’s transplant, they thought that had checked that trial off of their life list. After their experiences with Lindsay and Gage, however, they have come to realize that perhaps that initial situation with Sierra prepared them for the challenges their family would face later in life. Faith in God means that we can gain a broader and more eternal perspective, so that we may better handle the trials we will inevitably face.

Mormons Serve Each Other

Apart from the emotional tax this experience has had on the Binghams, these ongoing medical issues have been wearing physically and financially. Mormons who go to church with the Binghams have reached out in love to help in whatever ways they can. In Mormon congregations, this often means providing meals, childcare, and even financial help. One of the Binghams’ friends created a donation site where anyone can donate money to help cover the costs of the family’s medical care.[2]

The Church of Jesus Christ places immense value on serving others. They believe that often God uses His children on earth to answer the prayers of others, and in the case of the Binghams, that principle is lived in the lives of real people.

Trials aren’t easy–they were never meant to be. Sometimes we may ask God why we have to experience certain hardships, and in those times we need to trust in Him and know that He loves us. He will strengthen and support us as we make our way through this mortal life.

Happiness Is Part of God’s Plan

One of the greatest promises of The Church of Jesus Christ is happiness. In fact, one of the central doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ is what Mormons call The Plan of Happiness (this plan is also called the Plan of Salvation and the Plan of Redemption). The Plan of Happiness is the plan whereby God enables the salvation of each of His children. God’s son, Jesus Christ, volunteered to come to earth to live a perfect life so that He could suffer for our sins and make it possible for us to repent and return to Heavenly Father. For Mormons happiness is found in repentance and in the grace of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I most love about God’s plan for us is that its whole purpose is to make us happy. If anyone knows what true happiness is, God does, and He has set forth a plan whereby we can find that happiness that He desires for us. Our happiness is so important to our Father in Heaven, and I find great comfort and peace in that.

Only One Way to True Happiness

The world will tell us that happiness is relative and that we can find happiness in whatever we feel is right. This wishy-washy approach to happiness is a lie from Satan. Sure, all of us may find superficial happiness in certain things, but the only way to pure and everlasting happiness is through Jesus Christ.

The reason Jesus Christ is our only way to eternal happiness is that He is the one who redeemed us from sin and death. In the Book of Mormon (a book of scripture complementary to the Bible and key to The Church of Jesus Christ), the prophet Alma teaches that “wickedness never was happiness” (41:10). No matter how we spin it, we will never be happy when we disobey God’s commandments. God doesn’t issue commandments to be in control or tyrannical; rather, He gives us commandments to keep us safe and because He knows the best way to happiness.

Happiness Is Found in Family Relationships

One of the most important emphases in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ is the family. The family is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and second to redemption through the Savior, is the most important purpose of God’s Plan of Happiness. God designed His plan so that through sacred ordinances we can be with our families for eternity. This is a great and marvelous gift. Marriage and family are key to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and happiness is a crucial purpose of family life.

Because families are so important in the doctrine of Christ, Mormons put special effort and time into building their families. Certainly family life isn’t happy or easy 100 percent of the time, but happiness can surely be found in family life here as well as in the life to come. Mormons place great importance on building family relationships and strengthening their marriages, because for Mormons married in the temple, marriage is for eternity.

Happiness Can Be Found in Trials

For Mormons, happiness certainly doesn’t mean pain-free. In fact, your potential for happiness is increased when you experience adversity in life. Another Book of Mormon prophet Lehi taught that “there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). You can’t know or find true happiness if you haven’t experienced unhappy times.

Regardless of our faith or creed, we will all experience adversity and trials; there is no way to live this mortal life without experiencing pain and heartache. Hardship is part of the package. Even in spite of this truth, we can still find happiness even when things in our lives are hard and difficult. This is where true happiness can prevail. When you root your happiness in Jesus Christ, you can find peace no matter where you go or what happens. The peace offered by the Savior can penetrate any circumstance and affect every person.

Sometimes happiness is hard to find, even with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In these cases, the grace of the Savior can still offer peace, comfort, and the promise of happiness. That’s what The Church of Jesus Christ has to offer: the truth about Jesus Christ and His everlasting and perfect atonement. For Mormons, happiness is peace, truth, family, and endurance–happiness is Jesus Christ.

What Does an Answer to Prayer Feel Like?

God answers prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost (sometimes called the Spirit). The Spirit speaks to each of us in different ways, ways that are as varied as we are. What may resonate with one person may not make much of an impact with someone else. We must practice listening to the Spirit so that we can know when and how He speaks to us.

While each of us will feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost differently, there are some consistencies with how He speaks to us. If what you’re praying for is right—if the decision you want to make is in line with God’s will—you will feel at peace. In the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith) Heavenly Father says that “you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right” (9:8) While this “burning” may be hard to describe on paper, when you feel it you will know that it is God’s confirmation of your choice.

Sometimes, though, your answer will be no. In that same section of the Doctrine and Covenants, God says that “if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong” (9:9). This “stupor of thought” will mean that you are still confused and uneasy about the situation you are praying about.

Once when I was in college, I wanted to participate in a study abroad program. I was praying to find the means to go, but I could never decide on the best way to fund my trip. Eventually I realized that I was having a stupor of thought and that if things weren’t lining up, then perhaps I shouldn’t even be going. Once I decided not to go on the trip, I felt at peace and another plan for the summer presented itself to me.

Sometimes Answers Don’t Come Quickly

You may find yourself in a situation where you are desperately seeking for answers and coming up short. This absence of answers doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care about you or that He isn’t listening. Rather, these experiences mean that you have something to learn before finding your answer. In lieu of the answers you seek, Heavenly Father will often send comfort and other blessings to help you in your trial.

Know that eventually God will provide you with the answers you’re looking for. It may take months or even years to receive those answers, but they will always come. Sometimes you need to change your prayer to find answers. Instead of asking for something to happen, pray that you will have the strength to handle the situation. By adjusting your prayers in times of trial, you will find answers that may not remove your trial, but that will make you capable of handling it.

God Wants to Teach Us

Sometimes when we don’t get answers, it’s because God is trusting our ability to make the right choice. Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ, said the following about prayer (I recommend reading the talk in full):

What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.[1]

One of the purposes of prayer is to help us learn to become more like our Savior, and so God uses prayer and the answers to our prayers to teach us how to develop Christlike qualities and make Christlike decisions.

God Uses Other People to Answer Prayers

More often than not, God will not come down to earth to personally answer our prayers, especially if those prayers require a practical and tangible answer. He will often answer our prayers through the actions of others. Many times in my life, I have had a prayer answered through the words of another. Because God uses other people to answer our prayers, we need to make sure that we are in a state wherein we can receive and act on spiritual promptings so that we can likewise be the answer to others’ prayers.

Wherever you are and whatever you face, know that God does always answer His children’s prayers. He hears every one and will, in His time, answer every one as well. Trust in Heavenly Father’s love for you, come to know the Holy Ghost, and you will never be led astray.

Why Is Prayer Important?

Imagine that you’re leaving home for the first time and that it will be years before you get to see your family again. Imagine that you won’t have access to your family, that you won’t be able to call them to say hi or to wish your sister a happy birthday. Imagine that once you say goodbye you won’t hear from them until you come back home. Wouldn’t that be hard? When we left our Heavenly Father to come to earth, we had to say goodbye for a time. Thankfully, He gave us the blessing of prayer, which is a way that we can directly communicate with Him. We don’t have to dial any numbers or address any envelopes. Wherever you are, you can pray to Him whenever you need to.

Prayer is so important because we need His help, guidance, protection, encouragement, and comfort as we navigate our way here on earth. Our lives can be scary and uncertain, and we can’t do it all on our own. Prayer exists to connect us to heaven and to show us the way to go.

Is There a Specific Way I Need to Pray?

Throughout religious history we see that prayer takes many different forms. For quite some time, Christianity as realized through the Catholic church conducted prayer through official clergyman. The paid clergy were the only means to God. Some sects of Christianity, as well as other religions, sometimes have prescribed prayers with specific wording. It must be hard to navigate all these different brands of prayer to know what is the most pure and effective way to communicate with Heavenly Father.

The most important thing to know about prayer is that you have the ability to speak to God yourself. Unlike what was preached in the early Catholic church (and other churches described in the Book of Mormon, a book of scripture unique to The Church of Jesus Christ), you don’t need a middle-man to connect with God the Father. The best way to pray is with a sincere and humble heart, a heart that is open to answers and the impressions of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is a very personal endeavor and can take a few different forms. The Church of Jesus Christ has only a handful of prayers with set wording (the sacrament prayers, for instance, never change in their wording and format). Aside from those, prayers are said freely. You should demonstrate respect for God in your prayers. If possible, find a place to kneel; fold your arms, bow your head, and close your eyes. These outward motions are ways that we can show our respect for God and prayer. If you are in a situation where you can’t do these things, you can still pray. Whenever you need prayer, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, you can reach out to Him, regardless of if you pray vocally or simply in your heart.

What you say in your prayers can be anything. Pour out your heart to God. Tell Him about your sorrows, troubles, and needs, and also don’t forget to tell Him about your triumphs and blessings. Just as your mother would want to know the details of your life, your Father in Heaven wants to hear those things from you as well.

A good way to start off a prayer is by addressing Heavenly Father. A simple “Dear Father in Heaven” is a respectful and intimate way to begin a prayer. Express gratitude in your prayers. Often prayers of gratitude are the most meaningful for me and can result in the clearest answers. Often when you offer your expressions of thanks first, your wants and needs become fewer. Use prayer to ask for guidance in making important decisions; plead for strength and knowledge on how to change un-Christlike attributes; seek methods you need to improve a relationship; confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. Prayer is all about communicating with God the Father, so nothing is off limits. He wants you to share everything with Him.

When you close your prayer, do so in the name of Jesus Christ. This expression seals the prayer and indicates that the Savior approves of you and your supplication to the Father.

How Do I Know If I’m Doing It Right?

When you approach God in prayer with a humble attitude, you will feel the peace of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and is there to facilitate the communication between you and Heavenly Father. In James 1:5 we read that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” The Holy Ghost will communicate the answers that God has for you. You may not receive the answers you seek right away. If you persist in your prayers and continue to cultivate an honest heart, you will feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and come to a knowledge of Their love and power.

God loves you and will reach out to you however He can. He can reach you most effectively through prayer, so prayer is a tool we all need to use, practice, and refine. As we do so we will feel of His love and comfort, because He cares deeply for our happiness and well-being.