Questions and
doubts about gospel doctrines are good when they lead to stronger testimonies.
The outcome of a question or doubt depends on the motive and attitude of the
questioner as well as the type of question being asked. Sincere questions and
honest doubts often lead to additional knowledge, better understanding, greater
faith, and more spirituality.
Some people miss
opportunities to grow because they hesitate to acknowledge their questions
about gospel doctrines. Others delay repentance by using questions and doubts
in an effort to justify bad behavior. Still others seek to strengthen their
apostate position by planting doubts in the minds of all who will listen. While
some people exploit questions and doubts, wise individuals ask the types of
questions that increase understanding and strengthen testimony in their search
for truth, and they go to credible sources to find their answers.
Church leaders encourage members
to ask questions in their quest for greater knowledge. President Gordon B.Hinckley states, “As a Church, we encourage gospel scholarship and the search
to understand all truth. Fundamental to our theology is belief in individual
freedom of inquiry, thought and expression. Constructive discussion is a
privilege of every Latter-day Saint.” Hinckley carries the authority of the Church as
he inspires members to seek more information. He states clearly that members
should use their agency in gaining knowledge and understanding in their quest
for stronger testimonies and greater faith. He left no doubt about how Church
leaders feel about sincere questions.
Ronald A. Rasband agrees with
Hinckley that Church members should ask questions. He reminds readers that the
Savior used questions many times in His ministry and that the Restoration of
the gospel began when Joseph Smith asked a question.
Questions bring
greater knowledge, but the questioner must be careful about the type of query. David A. Edwards explains, “Asking questions is essential for learning. But how you ask a question can make a huge
difference in where it leads you.” Questions should be asked from a position of
faith, such as, “How does this fit with what I already know to be true?”
Adam Kotter agrees that questions
are vital to growth and states that genuine queries are “asked with a sincere
desire to increase one’s understanding and faith…. The sincere questioner continues
to be obedient while searching for answers….” Kotter closes with the wise
counsel to take all serious questions to God because He is the ultimate
authority on any subject.
Knowledge and understanding can
be increased by asking inspired questions and using credible sources where the
Holy Ghost can testify of truth. Questions about gospel doctrines should be
taken to Heavenly Father for confirmation because He has all knowledge and
knows how to help His children. He sends the Holy Ghost to assist in the search
for truth and then to confirm truth when it is found. Sincere questions and
honest doubts about Church doctrines usually lead to increased faith, greater
spirituality, and stronger testimonies.
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