How can I know my Heavenly Father?

Sister Crandall shared a wonderful lesson today about the importance of developing a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father. We were asked to ponder and think about a time when have you felt close to Heavenly Father? What were you doing? How did you feel?

We have tools in our life that can help us and they are:
1. Following the example of Jesus Christ
2. Heartfelt Prayer and communication with Heavenly Father
3. Study of the Scriptures- Testimonies of the Prophets
4. Confirmed through the Holy Ghost

A great example of feeling close to our Heavenly Father came when Sister Crandall shared her experience when she was on her mission. She was really going through a difficult time in her area, with her companion, and different emotions when she found out her Dad would be deployed before she was going to get home. Even after the struggle to get to the zone conference and seeing the mission president look right at her, she felt like it was going to be horrible news. He told her "Your Dad is here" and she couldn't help but burst into tears of joy. There was a real comfort that came when she could hug and be in her Fathers arms. It wasn't planned or arranged, but to see her Dad for a few hours at that zone conference really was a miracle. It was a clear moment when she felt a powerful lesson about our Heavenly Fathers love for us. He will embrace us and we can feel close to him.

Corinne then shared a some powerful thoughts about prayer. Our Heavenly Father wants us to speak with Him, anytime and anywhere. We pray to build that relationship with Him. It is simple to follow the pattern of prayer we learn in primary, but even more important to apply it ourselves.
"We begin by saying Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank Him for blessing he sends,
Then humbly we ask him for things that we need,
In the name of Jesus Christ- Amen."

When we pray for answers we can feel different ways. The first is peace and comfort in our choice. The second is unsettling or a "stupor" of thought, and the third is no response. Remember as we move forward with faith and hope, our lives will be blessed by the guidance of our loving Heavenly Father.
(Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 8–11)

Remember that the Light of Belief is in you. You have been challenged to cultivate your desire to know that God lives. Read the testimonies of the prophets in the scriptures and from modern day examples. Read and ponder Joseph Smiths' testimony of the First Vision.

Live by what they have learned today by:

• Write in their journals something they plan to do to improve their relationship with Heavenly Father and follow through with their plan.
• Complete Individual Worth value experience 1 from Personal Progress

 Watch these videos for more : “He Knows Me,” “Prayer”