The Nephites throughout all past generations had been a righteous and prayerful people They had been taught, not only by precept, but by the example of their leaders, the efficacy of prayer, or its power to produce effects. The story contained within the Book of Mormon begins with a prayer. Prophets had been warning the people of Jerusalem that unless they repented from their evil ways, the great City of Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Lehi, the scholarly ancestor of the Nephites and the Lamanites, was considerably moved by these prophecies. Some of the men who foretold these dire happenings were his friends whom he knew were worthy of belief. One day as he went about his way contemplating upon the promised ruination of his fair city, and the destruction of its people, he "prayed unto the Lord, yea," the Sacred Record says, "even with all his heart, in behalf of his people." "As he prayed . . . there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly."
1 Ne. 8:5-12)
A study of Lehi's prayer and the answer thereto should be made by every student for it shows God's willingness to answer the prayers of His servants.
1 Ne. 18:3) And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm. (Ibid. 18:21)
2 Ne. 4:23)
2 Ne. 4:4) Wherein the Nephites loved and kept His Word, we can discern God's divine blessings bestowed on every hand, and see in all their outgoings and incomings proofs of His providential care. Therefore, Amulek's exhortations to the apostate Zoramites to repentance, that they begin to "call upon His holy Name, that He would have mercy upon you."
In these verses Amulek's admonition was not unlike the Prophet Zenos' song of praise which was read by Alma in his sermon to the Zoramites. It was another answer to their question which they propounded to the missionaries when first they sought their help. Amulek's exhortation was that they not only were to worship God in a place prepared by their own hands, but were to seek Him in their fields "that ye may prosper in them," "Cry unto Him in your houses, yes, over all your household," and "Cry unto Him against the devil," and against your enemies. Not only that, but ye must "pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness." And when not actively engaged in crying to Him for special favors, "let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto Him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."