Praying to know knowledge

There are 3 examples from the scriptures that I want to talk about that prayed to know knowledge.

Lehi

Nephi

Joseph Smith

These 3 men knew the source of all truth.  Lehi, was a prophet who desired to know the will of God.  He was instructed to leave Jerusalem and go to the "promise land."  He was very close to the Lord and asked in prayer which way to lead his family.  What to do when they got to the Americas.  His prayers and obedience allowed him to see a vision called the "tree of life" vision.  This vision he saw different people in life, some trying to be obedient and others not so much.  But it gives us great knowledge to learn from.  Lehi seeing this vision led Nephi, his son, to pray and to ask God to see the vision and the interpretation of the vision.  He had 3 qualities that allowed him to receive an answer to his prayer. 

1 Nephi 11:1

"For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the spirit of the Lord..."

When we have desire to know specific knowledge, faith that God will give it to us, and ponder it out in our minds, GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.  The answer most likely won't be a vision, but will come in the form of peace, joy or happiness with the decision.  Your mind can become enlightened on a subject you are struggling to understand.  If the answer is not necessary for you right now, he grants peace and patience until the time is right. 

Joseph Smith is another example of this.  He had desire.  He wanted to know what church to join.  He wanted to be obedient and follow God with exactness.  He had Faith. He knew that after he read James 1:5 that "if any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God."  Joseph Smith knew if he followed this scripture, that God would answer him.  Then he pondered it.  I use to think that Joseph Smith woke up one morning, debated which church to go to.  Read the scriptures and BAM- James 1:5 was read.  And the rest was history.  That is far from the truth.  Joseph Smith debated this out in his mind.  He records in the Joseph Smith History 1:8 "I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit."  1:13 "At LENGTH I came to the conclusion..."  This was not an overnight decision.  Joseph allowed it to stew in his mind.  he pondered it and wanted to learn truth and asked in faith, knowing that God would answer his prayer.

Sometimes our questions are answered the day of.  Sometimes we are allowed more time to ponder and pray about a question so that when we are prepared most, we will receive the answer.  Some times answers take time and effort to show God our faith, patience, and dedication to know the answer.  Think of how much more you appreciate anything you get if you worked for it versus when you just receive it.  Our appreciation grows.  We cherish the answer or gift we receive. 

I know that God will answer our prayers.  If he doesn't answer with the answer we want, he has something better in store for us!