I’ve noticed in my life that the results of my requests of God are more definite when my sincerity or level of desperation is greater.
And of course, as AMA indicated, God can knock rebellious people off their donkeys, such as with Balaam (Numbers 22)!

We Mormons somehow feel we are doing “all the right things” when there is more than ample evidence all around us that there is plenty more we could and should be doing. Has poverty been wiped out? Are there no disputes amongst us? Do we have all things in common? Do we all deal justly with one another?

The answer is a flat out no! Until we meet this high bar put forth in the scriptures, I would suggest we are not DOING all the right things and we spend less time patting ourselves on the back and instead put forth a bit more effort exhibiting the humility of Nephi in the 4th Chapter of 2nd Nephi when he cries “O wretched man that I am!”

While it can be reasonably argued we are a people who sincerely strive to be righteous, what can’t be said, at least not yet, is we’ve perfected the pursuit of perfection. We’ve been given much more in the way of insights, ordinances and truth than our friends and neighbors not yet members of the church. As a result much more is expected of us. We, like Nephi, fall woefully short of even the lowest standards of perfection.

Yet, somehow and despite our weaknesses and shortcomings our Heavenly Father loves us still and through the Atonement and the resulting Grace, offers to turn our sins from crimson to white and promises that if we endure and continue to “TRY his works to do,” the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion and we’ll receive revelation along the way, as needed, to light our path.

Thank you again for your posts each week. I don’t often comment but I read them all. Your perspective is appreciated.