I was talking with my friend who is an institute teacher at ASU about some of the challenges the young people are facing. I was surprised to learn just how many young people are questioning their faith. They are being taught that they cannot trust their feelings when it comes to finding out what is true. I asked him what he says to these kids when you come to him. He will ask them if they can think of a time when they knew for sure that they felt the spirit. Once they do he will ask them, "could you have made that up?" He and I talked about how the Lord gives us special experiences from time to time that are meant to be act as anchor when doubts and fears come about. I believe that we all have had these experiences (It should be noted that they do not happen very often) that we "could not have made up." In the book of Judges chapter 6, Gideon goes before the Lord to ask for a sign to affiliate his doubts and fears that he was chosen to deliver Israel. These special experiences that we have from time to time act as a sign much the same way in which the Lord provided a sign to Gideon that he was called to deliver Israel. Elder Holland many years ago gave a great talk about looking to these special experiences in time of doubt and fear as a source do strength to get through those tough and trying times. The video below is about five minutes and worth watching. Also, think of someone that you know who is struggling with doubt who you might be able to pass this message onto. “Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why recognizing answers to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Sometimes we unwisely try to face life by depending on our own experience and capacity. It is much wiser for us to seek through prayer and divine inspiration to know what to do. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine power to accomplish an inspired objective. Like many of us, Oliver Cowdery did not recognize the evidence of answers to prayers already given by the Lord. To open his and our eyes, this revelation was given through Joseph Smith: “Blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time. “Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth.”4 “If you feel that God has not answered your prayers, ponder these scriptures—then carefully look for evidence in your own life that He may have already answered you. Two indicators that a feeling or prompting comes from God are that it produces peace in your heart and a quiet, warm feeling. As you follow the principles I have discussed, you will be prepared to recognize revelation at critical times in your own life. (April 2012 General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)