“The Lord does answer our prayers, but sometimes we are not responsive enough to know when and how they are answered. We want the ’writing on the wall’ or an angel to speak or a heavenly voice… .”
“Thus Will I Do Unto Thee Because This Long Time Ye Have Cried Unto Me”
The Lord answers prayers because of continued faith and obedience. Supplication of the Lord is much more than mere asking. It requires faith, pondering, and a life of righteousness, as exemplified here by the brother of Jared and seen elsewhere in the Book of Mormon, such as in the case of Enos (see Enos 1:4).
President Spencer W. Kimball eloquently spoke of the effort, both spiritual and mental, that is required to receive answers to our prayers:
“Great decisions must be made by most of us. The Lord has provided a way for these answers. If the question is which school, what occupation, where to live, whom to marry, or such other vital questions, you should do all that is possible to solve it. Too often, like Oliver Cowdery [see D&C 9:7-9], we want our answers without effort....”