Message from John the apostle, found in the Godpel of God’s Love, page 122.
“…I have been listening to your conversation, and the reading of the Sermon on the Mount given by the Master in days of long ago. When that sermon was delivered, we were not in condition of great spiritual development, and we did not understand its inner meaning. As to its literal meaning, we thought it was not intended for the practical affairs of life. I know that people think we were spiritually developed at that time, but I tell you this is not true. We were comparatively ignorant men, fishermen by occupation, and had no education above the ordinary working man of that time. And when Jesud called us to become his apostles, we were as much surprised, and hesitated as much as you did when the similar mission was declared for you.
Our knowledge came with our faith in the truths which the Master taught, and from our observation of the great power which he displayed, and also from the influence of the great love that he possessed. But if humankind believes that we easily understood the truths he taught, they are mistaken. Only after the descent upon us of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did we fully appreciate the great truths that Jesus had been teaching.
However, we learned many things which humans of that time did not know, and our souls became developed to a large extent. In your conversation, you discussed the relative value of prayer and works, and did not agree with the preacher’s statement that works are the great things to develop mortals in their love and bring about happiness in the world, and that prayer is not of such importance. Now let me say, as a spirit, and as a man who worked and prayed on earth, that of all the important things on earth for humans, who are seeking salvation and happiness and develoment of soul, prayer is the most important. Prayer brings from the Father, not only Love and blessings, but the condition of mind and intent that will cause mortals to do the great works that the preacher admonished people to engage in. Prayer is the cause of the power, and will enable mortals to do all the great works which will bring rewards to the doer, and happiness to the ones who are recipients of the works. Amen