3 Nephi 13:1-13

1 VERILY, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.
2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth;
4 That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 13:1 - 6)

My comments:
As I’m going about my life trying to do good, my motivation should be, “I do what I do, because I love my Savior.” As I do that, I forget about myself, my selfish desires, my need to look good to others. I merely want to please Him.

As that becomes the motivating factor in my life, I don’t need the acclaim, thanks, glory of the world, just the quiet reassurance that my Heavenly Father and Savior love me. As I lose myself in His service, I will find a more abundant life; a life of peace and certainty.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

((Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 13:7 - 13)

My comments:
The Savior teaches the people how to pray and call on the name of the Father. He teaches His followers to be simple and sincere in their hearts and words. We’re taught to address our Father reverently, and then to ask that the Lord’s will be accomplished. I need to seek that His divine will be done, and not my sometimes selfish desires. The idea is that I get in tune with what he believes is best, and seek for that.

We’re taught to be forgiving and to remember that we’re not perfect either, therefore we should be more tolerant of the mistakes of others. As we do so, we are able to ask the Father to help us overcome our weakness and shortcomings. We end much as we began, by giving reverence to Him where all honor and glory belong.