Doubt your doubts rather than doubt your faith

We are here at education week and loving it. Probably my favorite speaker of the day was David Marsh on dealing with doubts in the church. He said that many young single adults are losing their testimonies because of anti-mormon literature posted on the web.

He listed a variety of things that cause doubts to arise:

1. trials that we have diminish us

2. Encounters with new information

3. Educational Pursuits

4. Unsettling interactions with other members or leaders in the church.

He suggested several responses

a. It is ok to experience doubts, but don't let them linger.

b. Fortify your faith in Jesus Christ

c. Seek to resolve doubt through sincere prayer.

d. Clear the ground of rocks so faith is not limited by stumbling blocks

President Uchtdorf: The missionary effort of the Church is founded upon honest investigators asking heartfelt questions. Inquiry is the birthplace of testimony. Some might feel embarrassed or unworthy because they have searching questions regarding the gospel, but they needn’t feel that way. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.

Elder Holland: Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

Neal A. Maxwell: Do not underestimate the importance of what you do as articulators. In praising C. S. Lewis, Austin Farrer wrote, "Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows that ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish."1 I am thankful to those who help to provide the needed "climate."

There are a group of the faithful who are working at giving thoughtful answers to troubling questions. The website fairlds.org is the result.

e. Don't be afraid to believe too much.

f. Express your gratitude. Come to know God.

g. Center your life on Jesus Christ.

h. Increase your knowledge of the truth. Don't be satisfied with superficial knowledge - which is all you have time for in Sunday School.

Boyd K Packer: Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them.

The church is not trying to hide information, but our understanding of history changes. Remember the Sweetwater rescue? We didn't have the sequence of events quite right.

i. One truth does not contradict another. Living by faith does not relieve us of the obligation of learning for ourselves. You will always find a reasonable answer to anti-mormon literature. Here is the test to apply:

1. Is it a pattern in the scripture

2. Do living prophets teach it?

3. Is it in harmony with current practices and policies?

4. Does the spirit testify of truthfulness?

When people are struggling, one of the worst things you can say is, "Just go pray about it." While praying will help, unless you supply other information, the person feels abandoned.

Opinions that cannot stand up under discussion are not worth holding.