Seminary
James 1

James 1

“Ask of God”

A young woman prays by her bedside.

Do you feel that you can ask God for help when you have unanswered questions or need His wisdom in making important decisions? James declared that anyone who lacks wisdom can “ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally … and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). This lesson is intended to strengthen your testimony that Heavenly Father will give you wisdom in answer to your prayers.

Important answers

Look at each of the following questions and ponder these things for each one: (1) Have I received an answer from God? (2) Am I seeking for an answer from God that I have not yet received? (3) Am I not yet interested in seeking an answer?

  • Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the true Church?

  • Is Jesus Christ really my Savior?

  • What should I focus on to be a better follower of Jesus Christ?

As you study the words of the Apostle James in James 1, look for principles that can help you find answers to the significant questions in your life.

Read the following information about James. Think about what questions he may have sought answers to throughout his life.

  1. He was likely the half-brother of Jesus Christ (see Guide to the Scriptures, “ James, Brother of the Lord,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  2. Like the Lord’s other half-brothers, he may not have initially believed that Jesus was the Christ (see John 7:3–5).

  3. He eventually became an Apostle and, according to early Christian writers, the first bishop of the Church in Jerusalem (see Acts 12:16–17; 21:17–18; Galatians 1:18–19; 2:9).

Read James 1:1 to identify who James was writing to.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that “James addressed … people yet to be gathered, yet to receive the gospel, yet to come into the fold of Christ” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1973], 3:243).

  • What are some questions that people who have not yet received the gospel might have?

Read James 1:5–6, looking for truths James taught that can help us when we have important questions and can help those who are seeking gospel truths. (It may be helpful to know that upbraideth means to find fault with or to scold.)

Doctrinal Mastery icon (blue). Image is of an open book. James 1:5–6 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily.

  • What did you find?

  • What do you learn about Heavenly Father from this passage?

One truth found in this passage is that God will bless us with wisdom if we ask Him in faith.

  • What do you think it means to “ask in faith, nothing wavering”? (James 1:6).

  • Why do you think Heavenly Father wants you to turn to Him for answers?

As you continue your study, think about the thoughts, feelings, and experiences you have had when you have sought wisdom, or answers to your questions, from God.

Joseph Smith’s example

Joseph Smith, Jr. depicted kneeling in the Sacred Grove during the First Vision. A ray of light can be seen coming from the sky down through the trees toward Joseph.

It can be helpful to ponder an example of the principle that God will bless us with wisdom if we ask Him in faith. Seeking wisdom from God had a profound effect on Joseph Smith.

Watch the video “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” from time code 5:07 to 8:42, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for how this truth impacted Joseph’s life.

62:4

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Answer the following questions:

  • What particularly touched you from Joseph Smith’s experience?

  • How did God’s answer, which came in the First Vision, affect Joseph’s life? How has it affected the world? How has it affected you?

Your experience

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Do the following in your study journal:

Write the thoughts, feelings, and experiences you have had while seeking wisdom from God. Consider including some of the following:

  • Your thoughts and feelings about God’s willingness to answer your questions (see James 1:5–6).

  • Your thoughts and feelings about Joseph Smith’s experience with asking God for wisdom.

  • Experiences you have had or are now having with seeking wisdom from God and receiving answers. (These experiences could involve seeking answers to the questions at the beginning of the lesson.)

  • Ways you would like to seek wisdom from God now or in the future.

  • Impressions you have received from the Holy Ghost during this lesson that may help you.

Think about your personal habits of praying and asking for wisdom and answers from God. When was the last time you asked your Heavenly Father for wisdom or for answers to your questions? What can you do today to begin asking more sincerely and more frequently? Record in your journal what you feel Heavenly Father would like you to do because of what you have studied today.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why is it important to receive wisdom from God and gain my own testimony from Him?

Think about the preceding question as you watch the video “Origin” (4:57), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

4:57

Origin

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018

Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! …

You don’t have to wonder about what is true [see Moroni 10:5]. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true. …

We are followers of Jesus Christ. The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He lives!

(Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95–96)

James 1:6. What does it mean to “ask in faith”?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles referred to James 1:5–6 and explained:

Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles official portrait. 2020.

Notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act. …

Joseph’s questions focused not just on what he needed to know but also on what was to be done! His prayer was not simply, “Which church is right?” His question was, “Which church should I join?” Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act.

True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. … We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.

Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence.

(David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 94–95)