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Since you didn't answer the question directly, I'll make a guess. You can verify if it is a good guess. It seems that it is a personal/cultural thing that caused some heartache when missionaries didn't share that same background. But the bottom line is that it isn't necessarily wrong to not pray using the exact verbiage of the Lord's Prayer. I have often felt deeply touched by simply reading out loud or reciting certain scriptures in my head. If you truly are "reciting" I'm absolutely certain that you could feel a great connection with the Lord if you are essentially doing what I do for a variety of scriptures. I've even found that same communing phenomenon when reciting the Lord's Prayer, itself. But to me, it just isn't a "prayer" in the sense that I normally think of it. But it certainly qualified as having a connection with the Lord.

We're not fans of "rote" prayers. Rote: A memorizing process using routine or repetition, often without full attention or comprehension. Since we consider prayer to be communicating directly with our Heavenly Father, we try to hold up our end of the conversation by actually forming and expressing our own thoughts, rather than following a script or performing a ceremony. Prayer isn't symbolic, it's genuine uncomplicated talking to God. So we're given a basic outline of what we should be praying for, the reasons, the stuff to talk about. But then we put it into our own words.

Yes folks, this is real. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_potatoes Funeral potatoes are a big enough thing that Wikipedia has given them their own separate entry. Note that the sample images they have are of the "crushed corn flake topping" variety.

Today I learned, there's a "Jell-O Belt" (centered around Utah, of course).

In 1854 the First Presidency taught, “True charity to a poor family or person consists in placing them in a situation in which they can support themselves” Sounds to me like permanent solutions need to be put into effect. Family members that are barely making it need to combine households and in an area that's cheaper to live. All need to understand the difference between needs and wants and act accordingly. She needs to be told of all the resources to clear up the health issues so she can be better employed and/or shown ways to earn money on her own. The ones who can't help financially can be the ones to help run an etsy shop, tend the vegetable garden, etc. It's good of you to want to give and that may still be necessary but things need to be addressed with the long game in mind. Oh - if you do give, it would be best if she were able to do something in return so you're essentially paying her for her help. You might need to get creative but it would help her keep her dignity and feel valued.

So, looking over the Come Follow Me for next week I had a thought (probably very heavily inspired by the Come Follow Me Lesson). I absolutely love my books. I have what some would consider a rather large library. It consist of over 10,000 books. It is perhaps one of my most treasured things. It is worthless. I dream that when I die, I will be given a large room of books to spend eternity with, but that's as vain a thought as the Pharoahs who tried to bring their treasures with them. It can be a hard thing to put the lord above all other things, including things that you love in this life. Part of putting the Lord first for me, I think it to realize that it's truly just the Lord and what he wants that is important. If it is needful for me to read in the next life, it will be because it's part of the Lord's plan for me, not because of my own selfish desires to simply sit back and read for eternity. I think when I read about Martin Harris's sacrifice, that it could not have been easy for him to do. He ended up losing a lot of property and money. According to this site inflation calculator He would have lost over 100,000 ($101,134.02 as calculated to the end of 2024) in today's spending money. How much are we willing to give for the Kingdom of the Lord. We should be willing to sacrifice all we have (which, in truth, as this life is a temporary probation, is actually nothing at all since we don't get to keep any of it anyways). It's getting into that mindset that can be hard though.

3 Nephi 13: I converted from an Anglican background where this was always the go to prayer of choice for any situation, and I find I have not said it once since converting. My wife and I listened to a sister give the world's longest closing prayer on Sunday (which we jokingly named the closing talk) which caused me to do some reflection in regards to the above passage. The guidance here seems quite clear, got knows what we need, and what we want, so keep your prayers short, and simple, giving glory to God, to avoid being vain and mistakingly believing that your long and repetitive speakings will make you more heard. It helped resolve some personal questions, encouraging a focus on sincere simplicity. So why, if this passage found in the book of Mormon states "After this manner therefore pray ye:" is the reciting of this prayer not only rarely taught, but actively discouraged? (It may not be universally but it was for me when I was taught by the missionaries as it was "impersonal").

Yeah, probably only when the verses come up in the Come, Follow Me lesson, or less predictably, in a talk. I do think occasional discussion of what personal prayer ought to look like would be beneficial. We've gotten rid of the formulaic template that used to be used, but it doesn't seem like we talk about about the details of what prayer should look like.

I'm game for this. But I will also tell you a story about "getting stuck on one request". I was struggling with something and couldn't figure out any way to change myself. So I decided to ask God to change me. I prayed in every single prayer - personal prayers, public prayers, sacrament prayers, opening prayers, closing prayers, prayers over food - for Him to change me. If I was alone, I spoke the words. If I was not alone, I thought the words. Every single prayer. (I really wanted to be changed.) In the meantime, as part of my plan, I did the best I could manage to live the gospel. This wasn't an extraordinary effort, it was just the best I could manage. I did this for two years. (I wasn't really keeping track, so that's an approximation, but it was at least that.) One night, I was lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep and it dawned on me that I had been changed - and not only in the way I had asked for. I think the other change was a necessary part of it. In short, sometimes getting stuck on one request and repeating it in every single prayer for two years is a good thing. YMMV.

No, my biggest weakness is using too many words! I just think it's a useful tool, which isn't given enough attention!

I was quite literally raised on the lords prayer. We had to say it every day at school, it was the finale to every church service or public ceremony. Even atheist's in the UK who have never set foot in a Church know the lords prayer. When I started to take religion seriously I held it in very high regard, and it was very significant to me. So when the missionaries (rather innocently) brushed it aside as not right, I took their word for it, but I was slightly hurt by it. Perhaps I am just projecting that.

What makes you think that this: ...will not hasten the devolution into vain repetition? I mean, it sounds like you're literally suggesting that we should repeat the same words, outside of an ordinance (which is the only place I'm aware of where the Church repeats the same words). If repeating words we haven't intentionally memorized for repetition can so easily become vain, it seems like repeating words we have intentionally memorized for repetition can more easily become vain. Apologies, I am often inarticulate at the best of times. My position isn't that the lords prayer should be the mandate, as I previously mentioned I haven't uttered it once since I converted. This thread is more of a dialogue with the purpose of developing my opinion on the matter, than it is to convince somebody else of what I believe, discussion is valuable in that way. But to answer your question, no, I don't believe that, the lords prayer and sacrament prayers are commissioned by God as scripture. I'm not suggesting we use the sacrament prayer outside of the ordinance, but when it's being read during a meeting, I personally find it valuable to follow along, and insert myself into as an affirmation of my faith, and proof of my resolve to keep my renewed covenants. This is what I meant. When I insert myself into the prayer, I find it evokes quite powerful feelings. I don't believe it is vain to do this. As for the lords prayer, I think there is value in memorising it as a blueprint if nothing else. I think as the scriptures show, it is what God wants to hear from us first and foremost, our love, our repentance, our requests and our resolve against evil, and that personally, keeping my prayers grounded in these areas stops me waffling on about stupidness, or getting stuck on one request and repeating it several times. I also don't believe that this is vain, it prevents me descending into vanity, which I think was the whole point of the passage. As for the sister with the long prayer, I wasn't trying to be mean, there is no hate from me. It's just what started my train of thought on this subject. 🙂

At our stake conference over the weekend the 70 in attendance quoted Pres Nelson, I believe, in making this exact point. The end of a prayer is not a formality to be gotten out of the way.

Given this, which I think we can take as fact: What makes you think that this: ...will not hasten the devolution into vain repetition? I mean, it sounds like you're literally suggesting that we should repeat the same words, outside of an ordinance (which is the only place I'm aware of where the Church repeats the same words). If repeating words we haven't intentionally memorized for repetition can so easily become vain, it seems like repeating words we have intentionally memorized for repetition can more easily become vain. To put it another way, it seems harder to insert personal meaning into memorized words than into ad hoc words. Also, I feel the need to emphasize the phrase, "After this manner". It doesn't say, "recite these exact words". It says, "follow this pattern". Finally, there is absolutely nothing in the universe outside yourself stopping you from making use of this prayer in your personal life. You could even do that and share your experiences with others (if they're willing to read or listen). And if you're going to, I recommend you add two words that I saw in an alternate translation, which I think makes a lot more sense: Evil isn't a thing to be delivered from - it's a thing not to do (though one could think of this as repentance, but it's sure a deflective way to repent). But "the evil one" - whooo boy, now that's someone to be delivered from, and the one that is tempting us, and the one who wanted to take away God's kingdom, power, and glory - so now the "For..." makes sense and it gives me more to think about when I'm praying - like whether my desires equate to wanting God's kingdom, power, and glory (for my ends rather than His). Sorry, nope, that wasn't final, this is: You've mentioned multiple times the long prayer spoken by another. I wasn't there. I didn't hear it. Even if I had been there and heard it, I can't read minds or know hearts. And I don't think you can either, so maybe extend some grace to this sister and let it go?

Catholic background here. Like you I also had to adjust to not having rote prayers. You aren’t alone bro.

I think we recite this about as often as an average scripture. I've heard parts of it given in talks and lessons. Not everyone can quote a passage of this length from memory. But parts of it at a time? Probably. There are some prayers which we've been instructed to use for specific sacraments word-for-word. Apart from that, the use of The Lord's Prayer as our personal prayer may fall under the category of "vain repetitions" which is precisely what the Savior was warning against when he gave this example. It was not an injunction to speak the exact same words again and again. It was an example of the principles of making a meaningful, personal prayer between ourselves and our Father. That said, the same could be said of so many prayers I've heard from pretty much anyone. They all seem to use the same words. They all seem to say the same things. The point of the sermon was not necessarily repeating the exact words the Savior used, but to make sure that our prayers actually mean something. I've been irked oh-so-often when I hear a person really think about what they desire to pray about, only to rush through the closing "in the name of..." so quickly that I couldn't really understand what was said if I didn't already know what he meant. That. to me, reeks of "speaking the Lord's name in vain."

When she's well, she can work and do a good job. But the frequent bouts of illness are causing the inability to have a "steady" job. She does not own a car. So, delivery is off the table. When we were young, she was never the type that would shirk responsibility. Even 10 years ago, I'd say that it would be unlike her to just "not want to work." But she had a recent event that seems to have broken her spirit. I don't know if she was on suicide-watch. But she was REALLY not doing well. And my nephews think that taking care of a grandchild may be what she needs to feel like her old self. Even if that succeeds, she still has her illness that simply can't be ignored. The final thing is that she never really let on how bad off she was financially until it was WAY too late. She ended up maxing out credit cards to pay for her all her bills. So, she's basically got a death mark on her credit report. If any employer looks at that, she's done. And this will last for 7 years.

Thank you for all your responses. It appears that I need to clarify a few points. They are asking me for additional financial assistance. I live in the Houston area, not Houston-proper. I work in Houston and have about an hour commute each way (pretty much all the places I've worked have been anywhere from 30 min to 1h+ from my house. So far, our locality is in pretty good shape (low crime, the only heavy traffic is rush hour) except for all the construction going on (probably another year before it all clears out). My sister currently resides in Oregon (near Son#1) and is about to move to CA (near Son#3). Son#2 lives in Washington (AFAIK). Housing: She currently resides in her eldest son's 1 B condo while his family is allowed to stay at a friend's house. That friend is now in need of that extra space. So, Son#1 has to move back to his 1B condo for himself, his wife, and their son. No more room for her. Son #3 has a small apartment for him, his wife, and soon to be born child. They want to get grandmom into a nearby retirement community where the rent is cheaper than elsewhere (but it is still more than my mortgage payment). He will be the biggest contributor to her upkeep. In return, will be a nanny for the new grandchild, so the new mom can work. Her medical condition is chronic. There is no cure. There isn't really a practical, long term treatment for it either. Her symptoms flare up every few weeks for a few days. In between, she is perfectly capable and healthy. The flare ups are sufficient that she can't hold down a job on any long-term basis. Son #3 understands this, and the mom's job is such that she may be able to partially work around grandmom's illness. I believe there may be a future change. They are hoping that Son#3's wages rising will allow them to buy a 3B home. Then they can forget about the retirement community. After some thought, I'm thinking that, instead of being part of the regular upkeep, I should be the "emergency backup" if something goes wrong.

I didn't see where it mentioned she/the family members live in Houston. Furthermore, yes, I'm aware there are costs, etc to move but it's best that aid goes to permanent solutions and not band-aids. Also, we don't know what line of work they're in so that may be easier than you seem to assume. As far as the ward helping, that's supposed to be temporary as well. Hence, needing to put solutions in place for the long game.

I was going to write a response. But while in the middle, I noticed @zil2's post. She took the words right out of my mouth. So, I won't vainly repeat them. (hee-hee). I will ask one question about this: How much of your desire to pray specifically the Lord's Prayer is just a cultural/personal thing vs. a generalized right vs. wrong thing?

I'm pretty sure I just fell victim to a scam the other day. Less than a hundred dollars, but from what I'm learning that's how they rely on it.