Ever since I was called to be the YW president, I have had this feeling that I have been called to help prepare all of you for your different futures. I know that God has a plan for each of you and He wants you to succeed and be happy. I know that now is the time for each of you to learn the skills necessary to one day be independent, successful adults. Now is the time to become spiritually minded and focused on the Savior. Now is the time to develop good habits of scripture study and prayer that will help you so much throughout your life.
I have been struggling for a long time with how to teach each of you about receiving personal revelation because everyone has different experiences, but I am excited that this year we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants because it is filled with revelation that was given to the prophets and it can help you to better understand how you can receive revelation from God.
In Joseph Smith History 1:1-26, Joseph shares his account of The First Vision. I know many of you know this story, but I love that Joseph had a simple question: which church should I join? He wanted to find the answer to his question so he looked in the scriptures and then simply went to a quiet place to pray and ask for direction from God. I’m sure he was expecting a simple answer and not an incredible experience where he saw the Savior and our Father in Heaven, but just as he was given an answer to his question, I know that you can and will receive answers to your questions.
In James 5:1 it reads, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Joseph was “an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age” and he felt like he wasn’t very unique or special. The fact that he was the one that God chose to restore the church and become our first Latter-Day Prophet helps me truly believe that He loves each and every one of us and wants to help us. All we need to do is ask.
But how do you ask? How do you know what to say? And how do you know what your answer is or if you got an answer?
Revelation becomes easier and easier to recognize the more you practice, but I promise you that if you put forth the effort and just try, God will answer your prayer. You can try praying and asking for help wherever you are. Sometimes I receive revelation as I’m kneeling next to my bed praying for a long time, but most of the time when I get answers to my prayers I am driving quietly in the car by myself, cleaning my house while my kids are napping, or taking a shower. Whenever I take a minute to focus on God and ask about the questions I have, I find that He is willing to answer.
Challenge: This week I challenge you to take a few minutes and really ask Heavenly Father for help. Start by taking some quiet time to study the scriptures and write down the things that are on your mind. Next take a few minutes to pray and ask for direction. Then wait. The answers might come right after you pray and the answers might come as you go about your week, but I promise that if you find quiet moments throughout your week to focus on the Savior and think about what’s on your mind, He will answer your prayers.
I know that God loves you and He will always be there for you.
Please leave a comment and share about a time when you received an answer to a question that you had. It can be short and simple, but I think we would all really benefit from hearing each other’s experiences.
Asheville Ward News 
I know I’m not a young woman, but I’ll share that so far in my thirty years since receiving the gift of the holy ghost, I’ve never heard an audible voice, seen a vision, had a prophetic dream, or any other seemingly miraculous manifestations of the Spirit. Yet I have learned that following the ideas and solutions that pop into my head after I pray always turns out well, so I identified that as the way I receive revelation. Someone once said, “You might not be able to tell if your hunch is from God or from yourself, but if it’s a righteous hunch, do it!” That’s a rule I live by. You won’t all receive revelation my way, but if you do, rest assured that it’s as legitimate and reliable as any other form of revelation.
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This is Sister Heather Krueger:
Revelation for me happens when I have taken time to concentrate for a few minutes on a problem, or on my calling, and usually when I have prayed about the problem or the calling. An idea comes to me later that day or sometimes the next day. Very often I get a good idea (revelation) when I am starting to work on something, like a Primary lesson, or just getting ready to call the sisters I minister to.
Once, at work, in an emergency situation, I heard a voice telling me what I needed to do to help a patient. Another time, a very clear idea came to my head while just starting to examine a comatose toddler in the Emergency Room. These times really helped because I knew what to do even before ordering tests and x-rays.
Another topic: I want to thank the Young Women from the bottom of my heart for the fun cozy blanket that was brought to my house at Christmas time, which exactly matches my couch and living room decor!
We have all really enjoyed getting really cozy with that blanket. Thank you so much for thinking of the Kruegers!
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