"If I ask not amiss"

Dear friend

The little word "if" - perhaps because it is so small - is sometimes easy to miss. Unfortunately when this concise conditional conjunction does go unseen it can lead to considerable misunderstanding and no less disappointment. Not noticing the conditions attached to a desired or anticipated outcome is likely to lead to an unrealised expectation.

In a gospel context we should always look out for the "if" when we want to get the resulting blessing. For example, look for the if in this verse from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 4:35.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

I'm sure you saw it, the if. The Prophet Nephi joyously exclaims a veritable truth about the willingness of God to give us freely of that for which we ask. That is an exciting promise and one of which we may wish to frequently avail ourselves. After all, there must be a lot we could ask to be given. Ah, but in our enthusiasm to put the promise to the test, don't forget the if.

"If I ask not amiss" is the condition. Using the word "amiss" suggests a gentle way of describing a mistake, an error, something not quite right. The scriptural amiss may be a bit more harsh, but the key to the lesson is to carefully consider our prayer requests. The Lord will simply not give us something when He knows, in His far superior knowledge, that it will not be good for us.

I wonder if that conditional clause, to ask not amiss, is there because some people pray with a personal motive, trying to get God to back them up, or just so they can say they "prayed about it".

Let us identify the ifs to every opportunity. Let us analyse our asking to ensure it is a righteous desire we seek. It may not be granted exactly as we want, but if we are sincere, He will bless us with what we need. (Notice the if.)

Samuel.