Ether 2: 14-15 - Significance of Not Praying

" 14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord.

 15 And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were with him. And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And these are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands."

One often may foolishly misperceive that to not pray is a minor mistake that is not as erroneous as other possible sins. However, through the Brother of Jared's experience, we see that Mormon describes this sin as "evil" and was significance enough for the Lord to chastise him for the space of three hours. As we pray, we receive enhanced direction and guidance from the Holy Spirit. This communication should be one's highest priority and not carelessly forsaken.