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Continue ShoppingIs it Okay for Latter-day Saints to Ask Questions About the Church And It's Doctrine? What If We Can't Find Answers?
Elder Uchtdorf said, “Obedience is not so much the process of bending, twisting, and pounding our souls into something we are not. Instead, it is the process by which we discover what we truly are made of.”
For some individuals, certain elements of the Adam and Eve story feel troubling. We live in a temporal world that by design must be lived in, through, with, and by faith. Knowing that, some may wonder, is it okay to question? What is my role? What changes am I allowed to bring to the culture? What narrative is appropriate?
It is certainly appropriate and encouraged to search for answers, to seek for more understanding to those principles, doctrines, or matters in the Church or gospel that may confuse or unsettle us. This is at the heart of gaining a testimony. The Holy Ghost can and will testify of truth. But as a word of caution, in the search for truth, correct sources are necessary for correct answers. Contrary to popular belief, the internet is not the font of all knowledge. Ask questions, but keep the focus on correct principles.
Joseph Smith’s quest for wisdom and knowledge is a perfect template for anyone seeking answers. The Holy Ghost must be present, and in order to invite Him, one must approach those questions with a commitment of respect, as well as using the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a touchstone. Go to the right sources. Trust the prophets rather than the internet alone. But most of all, be patient and humble. Sharon Eubank promised:
We know so little about what the Lord is doing with men and women and their respective roles with the priesthood, but He will teach us here a little, there a little, precept on precept,1 as we are able to understand and comprehend. As we continue forward with faith in those things we wish we had more understanding, the Lord will continue to bless us, opening our eyes of understanding, increasing our faith, and deepening our assurances that we are engaged in a good cause; that “this is the right place and the right doctrine.”
We can be steadfast in the cause, staying true to what the Holy Ghost has revealed to us. Only by keeping covenants and the commandments are we protected from deception.
When receiving answers and accepting guidance, individuals are wise to always consider the source. What knowledge are we seeking, and where are we searching? What is the spirit that enters the heart when a specific source offers answers? What is the spirit in our heart as we seek for these answers concerning our specific mission in life?
There is nothing wrong with working to make things better within the culture of the Church; learning to work with each other, expressing and recognizing the value of men and women, and listening to the concerns of women in the Church are worthwhile pursuits. There are not (yet) answers to everything, but as we work toward a more harmonious and equal relationship between men and women, we can choose to keep our faith and remain steadfast in our testimonies as we prepare ourselves to receive more truth and light.
Patricia Holland articulated it well when she said, “We should seek diligently and prayerfully the light that would quicken our hearts and minds to truly desire the outcomes we make in righteous decisions. Our prayers ought to be to see as God sees, to flip the switch in our minds so we may see things eternally. If we listen too often to the voices of the world, we will become confused and tainted. We must anchor ourselves in the spirit and that requires daily vigilance.”
God gives us time to make shifts in our thinking, to rearrange how we think the puzzle pieces can and will fit together. God’s ways are better than our ways. His time frame is different from ours. Faith is moving forward with patience as we wait for the continuing revelation to unfold.
Male or female, married or single, all must increase in their knowledge of the Savior’s teachings and in their testimony of the Atonement. All are equal in that quest and responsibility. It affects how we perform our duties and our partnerships.
“Sometimes to be tested and proved requires that we be temporarily deprived,” Spencer W. Kimball has said, “but righteous women and men will one day receive all . . . that our Father has! It is not only worth waiting for; it is worth living for!”
Keep working. Keep serving. Keep faithful to covenants and ordinances. All questions will be answered, and puzzles will be worked out to reveal a marvelous, awe-inspiring mosaic.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Let us know in the comments!
The following was taken from the book We Are Adam by Ramona Siddoway currently available at cedarfort.com.The opinions and views expressed herein belong solely to Ramona and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of Cedar Fort, Inc.
Kimberly First Raised
May 31, 2021
Love the article