3 Nephi 27:29

Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

I love this oft-stated invitation to ask and receive. God wants us to come to him and learn of him. He does not say "Plead until you are blue in the face, knock until your knuckles are bloody. And then just maybe, if I'm in a good mood and you have proven you are absolutely perfect, I might consider answering." Ask and knock, receive and come in. If he loves us as much as he claims he does, why would he treat us any other way than with open arms and open heart?

3 Nephi 14:7-8

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

This is one of the most oft-repeated commandments in scripture: ask, seek, knock. Whole books could written on this topic. Here are just two thoughts:.

Jesus promises that everyone who asks, receives. Not just the smart people, or the rich people, or those with pioneer ancestors, or those who have perfect families, or those who have never sinned, or those who have important callings. Everyone means everyone. No one who asks in sincerity, humility and faith will be denied an answer.

The key is to learn to ask the right question, meaning the right question for you. It may take some time to learn, but the Holy Ghost will teach us if we ask for his help and listen.