"But not all angels must be male, and not all angelic visits are to men. As Alma said, God 'imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also.' (Alma 32:23.) Moreover, there may be a difference between 'ministering' and 'administering' angels. As stated by President Joseph F. Smith,
"When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants. The ancient prophets who died were those who came to visit their fellow creatures upon the earth. . . . In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh." (Bruce D. Hafen, The Believing Heart, p. 101)
"These blessings (priesthood blessings) also include the right to behold visions and receive revelation, for the Lord 'imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also.' (Alma 32:23.) Also included are spiritual gifts such as faith, the testimony of Christ, wisdom, tongues, prophecy, and personal revelations. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained, 'These gifts come by the power of the Holy Ghost and . . . are available to every member of the Church, male and female.'" (Bruce D. Hafen, Belonging Heart, p. 214)
Dallin H. Oaks
"There is a choice example of personal revelation in the twenty-fifth chapter of Genesis. When Rebekah was carrying the twins Jacob and Esau, 'the children struggled together within her.' The scripture says she was troubled at this and so 'she went to enquire of the Lord.' (Gen. 25:22.) Here we see a major principle of revelation. It usually comes in response to earnest prayer. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' (Matt. 7:7.)
"In this instance the Lord spoke to Rebekah, saying: 'Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.' (Gen. 25:23.) Though she was the wife of a prophet and patriarch, Rebekah inquired of the Lord and the Lord instructed her directly on a matter of great personal concern to her, to the children she would bear, and to generations unborn. After recounting this incident, Elder Bruce R. McConkie concluded: 'The Lord gives revelation to women who pray to him in faith.' (New Era, May 1978, p. 36.)" (Ensign, Sept. 1986, p. 68)