How Can I Know my Heavenly Father?

Another lesson that I gave in Young Womens in which I felt particularly inspired.  I felt like the girls really wanted a relationship with their Father in heaven, but didn't know how.

How can I know my Heavenly Father? 

3 ways this year that I have come closer to Heavenly Father.  

1 John 2:3-5  We know him by keeping his commandments. 

Obedience – which gives confidence.  When you pray you can have absolute confidence that your request will be granted if it’s heavenly father’s will, because your life is in accordance with His commandments.

Enos1:1-7

Listening -   Enos had a powerful answer because he took the time to listen in his prayer. 

How to Pray.

Read Elder Scotts talk about how to pray:  paragraphs 1-6

Talk about it.

-       ask the right questions

-       don’t worry, just talk

-       is most effective when we strive to be clean

-       find a secluded place where feelings can be vocally expressed as long as necessary

How are Prayers Answered?

Read 1^st 3 paragraphs.   What is his pattern?

-       you pray

-       you HAVE to ask. 

-       you exercise faith and do something

-       the answer will come

-       you have grown

We have to align our will with the Father’s.

We have to look for answers.

How do you know the Lord is answering?  Read Oliver Cowdery’s counsel “the guidance about prayer…and the next 5 paragraphs. 

-Burning in the chest, or stupor of thought. 

-You will feel that it is right, in your mind and your heart. 

-The key word is with conviction.

-You will feel peace.

Last paragraph so important….if you don’t get an answer, act on your own. The Lord will stop you if you are wrong. 

Sometimes though, He will give you an answer before you ask.   Especially if you are mistakenly doing something wrong or in danger and haven’t asked. 

Heavenly Father can’t do things if we don’t ask.  This is his pattern, we have to exercise agency and we have to be specific about the things we ask for. 

Example:  Please help this person vs. prompted to ask for specific things about how to help that person and I finally saw changes. 

Fasting amplifies all of these things.  

How to get answers to prayers: “Study it out in your mind” -The Lord’s pattern of prayer is that we exercise our  faith and agency and do our part.  “Ask Heavenly Father if it be right” -You have to ask the right questions.  Be specific. -Ask for help to ask the right questions and The Spirit will prompt you. -Find a secluded spot and take time to listen. “You shall feel that it is right” -You will experience a burning in the chest - Sometimes you will get specific, dictated words. -You will know in your mind and in your heart and will know with conviction. Or -You will experience a stupor of thought, an Unsettling, discomforting feeling.  -If you don’t feel either way, act on your own. The Lord will not let you get far without a Warning impression if you have made the Wrong decision. *Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer by Richard G. Scott