Humble and Sincere

In March, 1829, while Joseph Smith was working on the translation of the engravings on the gold plates that would be published a year later as the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris, Joseph's friend and benefactor, wanted to see the plates for himself. He had already given Joseph money to support him in the work, and he would soon invest even more money in the printing of the book. Not only did Martin have doubts about the authenticity of Joseph's claim to have gold plates, Martin's wife Lucy was bitterly opposed to her husband's involvement with Joseph. Martin wanted an unassailable witness that he could bear to his accusing wife. Martin asked Joseph to inquire of the Lord whether he (Martin) could be granted a glimpse of the plates.

God's response to Joseph's inquiry is recorded in Section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of revelations received primarily by Joseph Smith, and considered scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. God explained to the young prophet what Martin needed to do to receive what he wanted:

Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see.
--Doctrine and Covenants 5:24

The response to Martin was simple. The answer is still simple today to me and anyone who wants an answer to prayer. 

A month later, Martin humbled himself sufficiently, and together with David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, the Angel Moroni showed Martin the plates of the Book of Mormon, and the voice of God pronounced Joseph's translation true and correct.

Answers to prayer come when we are humble and sincere.