Is “real intent” really an important ingredient for answered prayers?

Doesn't real intent have to do, directly, with faith?

If faith, as we learn from the epistle written to the Hebrews, is the substance or assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, and we learn from Joseph Smith that faith is the moving cause of all action from his first lecture in his Lectures on Faith, and we learn from Moroni, in the Book of Mormon that we can know that the same book is true, from God, our Heavenly Father, when we ask Him if that book is true,

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

So, now let's combine this idea with my previous blog about faith, called "Spiritual Event Horizon" and Joseph Smith's assertion that faith is both belief and action and marry that idea with Moroni's promise that real intent is needed to receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon. What you have, now, is the knowledge that in order to have miracle happen that was being prayed for you must have faith coupled with real intent--why would you have that prayer answered if you have no faith and why do you think you have faith with no real intent.

Joseph Smith went into the Sacred Grove, in Upstate New York, to pray...but not only to pray to find out which church was true or God's church on the Earth, but which church was true, so that he would join himself to that church! It wasn't simply a spiritual exercise and it wasn't a prayer to find out his curiosity, it was a prayer, that once answered, would provide Joseph with a blueprint as to what to do next! Once Joseph knew what church to join, he was going to be baptized in that church and act on his newfound knowledge. Joseph was praying do that he would know what to do next! That was why he was able to pray with such faith...

Just think about it: If you are asking a question so that you will have your next action informed by the answer to your question (which is exactly why Joseph was praying!), what are the chances that God is going to answer that question more fully and set you on the path that is going to lead to the most action or see you do the most good in your life and others? Not to put a utilitarian spin on the the whole prayer discussion, because God will answer each of our prayers if made in faith, regardless of the outcome or number of things or people affected or the good done by that parayer being answered...

Nevertheless, the prayer of faith will necessarily be made with real intent! Not only will such a prayer be acted upon but will lead to more prayers and more faith...

JPS