The account of the father pleading with the Savior to heal his son and Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “Lord, I Believe” from the April 2013 General Conference discussing it has helped me to better understand how to handle questions and doubts…
In Mark 9:22-24 we read…
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Doubt is one of Satan’s greatest tools in shaking testimonies and leading once faithful individuals away from the gospel. We will all surely have moments when we question aspects about the gospel or the church. In those moments, the faith that we had previously felt was firm and unshakeable can immediately become shaky as we try to reconcile the new information presented to us. Elder Holland counseled us:
“When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.”
We sometimes are reluctant to bring forth our issues, concerns and or questions out of fear of what others may think about our testimony and concerns. Elder Holland further counseled:
“Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.”
I have had many questions come up. I’ve read much online and in my personal studies of the gospel that have caused me to pause and really question what I had just read. I know all too well the feeling of uncertainty as thoughts race through my mind. Elder Holland concluded his talk with the following counsel:
“Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.”
When I have serious questions, I have learned to remind myself of what I know to be true. Building off of my existing testimony has helped me to navigate the murky waters of questions and doubts that can, at times, encircle us.Like Elder Holland, I encourage you to be open and honest about your questions and concerns, but I further encourage you to hold fast to and remember often the faith promoting experiences you have had with the Holy Ghost. While holding onto your existing faith, do all you can to study out your questions with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, accepting that a straightforward answer to your questions may not be readily available. By doing so, you will come to find peace.
