---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - H. R. Merrill
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 17
number: 8
published: 1914-06
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'H. R. Merrill, "Teach My Soul to Pray," *Improvement Era* 17, no. 8 (June 1914): 711.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1708unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera1708unse
start_page: 711
end_page: 711
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-06)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1708unse
  publication_year: 1914
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1914, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Teach My Soul to Pray

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WHOM DO THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS WORSHIP?                           711

sprung" upon classes or quorums for consideration.    All that we

know or that can be relied upon concerning" our pre-existent state,

or the experiences of the Christ, or of Michael, or of Gabriel, or

even of the great Elohini himself is to be found in that which God

has revealed. Theories advanced beyond Divine communications

are speculative and if contrary to revealed doctrine are not to be

received as authoritative. Synopses or sermons, scraps of public

or private utterances or alleged sayings by gifted men, are often

misleading and confusing. There ought to be no chain upon the

mind or soul of man, to hinder his endeavors to penetrate the

eternal past or the everlasting future. But no one, however gifted

by inspiration or otherwise, should strive to impose his views upon

others to provoke contention or cast a cloud upon the light of

established truth.    The doctrine of Deity is clearly set forth in

the revelations accepted by the Church.       In our public and private

devotions let us lift our souls to Him who is the God and Father

of the spirits of all men from and including Adam to the last that

shall tabernacle in the flesh, and be willingly obedient to His be-

hests as conveyed by Christ His beloved Son, through the light

and power of the Holy Ghost and the voice and authority of the

constituted authorities of the Church of God.       This will be a suf-

ficient guide in this life and will lead us into that fulness of knowl-

edge and might and glory that awaits us in His Divine, immediate

presence.

Teach my Soul to Pray

O Lord, my God, teach me to know thy will;

Help me to feel thy presence ever near;

Teach me to see my path through life; and still

Be thou my Guide, my Savior, kind and dear.

And when the storms and shadows crowd my way,

When all seems dark, and life is no more fair,

Be thou my strength, in time of doubt, my stay;

Help me, dear Lord, to seek thy aid in prayer.

O Lord, my King, when joys of life shall call.

May my light heart have strength to seek thee still;

Help me to hear when thy soft whispers fall;

Save me, I pray, from all thou countest ill.

Or, Lord, should all my dearest friends depart.

Should all I love be found but weakest clay,

Should hojie within my breast refuse to start,

Let thy pure love still teach my soul to pray!

H. R. Merrill

PRF.STON,   IDAHO