In Joseph Smith—History, Joseph Smith says that when he prayed in the Sacred Grove, it was the first time he had “attempt[ed] to pray vocally” (Joseph Smith—History 1:14). Is it important to pray out loud?
Good question. In Doctrine and Covenants 19:28, the Lord tells us, “I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart.” In other words, we should pray out loud and silently.
Consider the followers of Alma in Mosiah 24. Persecuted by the wicked Amulon, Alma’s people cried to God for relief; in response, Amulon commanded that anyone caught praying would be put to death. Fearing for their lives, the people of Alma began to pray silently, and God answered them, saying, “I [will] deliver [you] out of bondage” (Mosiah 24:13).
The lesson? Always keep praying, whether out loud or quietly. God hears all our prayers.