In several places in the scriptures the Lord has indicated that if we want an answer to our prayers we should first of all ask him. In 3 Nephi 18:20, the Lord has said: "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." The Lord evidently wanted to reveal some great spiritual truths to Lehi in this dream, but first of all he wanted Lehi to get into an inquiring (and thus a learning) attitude. Finally, after traveling "for the space of many hours in darkness," Lehi began to pray unto the Lord; then the remainder of the dream or vision was unfolded unto him.