Elder Quentin L. Cook on overcoming doubts and concerns through the Atonement

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"We recognize that some members have questions and concerns as they seek to strengthen their faith and testimonies. We should be careful not to be critical or judgmental of those with concerns—great or small. At the same time, those with concerns should do everything they can to build their own faith and testimony. Patiently and humbly studying, pondering, praying, living gospel principles, and counseling with appropriate leaders are the best ways to resolve questions or concerns.

"Some have asserted that more members are leaving the Church today and that there is more doubt and unbelief than in the past. This is simply not true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been stronger. The number of members removing their names from the records of the Church has always been very small and is significantly less in recent years than in the past. The increase in demonstrably measurable areas, such as endowed members with a current temple recommend, adult full-tithe payers, and those serving missions, has been dramatic. Let me say again, the Church has never been stronger. But, 'remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God' (D&C 18:10). We reach out to everyone.

"If the grim realities you are facing at this time seem dark and heavy and almost unbearable, remember that in the soul-wrenching darkness of Gethsemane and the incomprehensible torture and pain of Calvary, the Savior accomplished the Atonement, which resolves the most terrible burdens that can occur in this life. He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father."

- Quentin L. Cook, "The Lord Is My Light," General Conference April 2015, pp. 62-66
Click here to read the full article

I appreciated Elder Cook's timely address. He speaks to those who might have questions or concerns as they learn about the Church and develop their testimonies. He encouraged proper inquiry and open honesty in resolving the concerns, while reassuring his listeners that the Church is strong and growing, not suffering from massive departures as some have claimed.

As he spoke of the "grim realities" being faced by members that might feel "dark and heavy," it was interesting to note that he was talking in the context of those "questions and concerns" and not the myriad other challenges we might face in mortality. Some who struggle with their testimonies feel more of the weight of that doubt than many of us realize. Yet Elder Cook presents the Atonement of Christ as the source of strength and hope in this situation too:

"He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father." How beautiful, how true, how glorious!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
January 22, 2016

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on doubt, belief, and knowledge

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your 'unbelief.' That is like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak! Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not! So let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account (Mark 9:14-27): 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....

"A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, 'Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.' I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for 'only believing.' I told him that Christ Himself said, 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36), a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field (see Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1969, 114). I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase 'We believe' (see Articles of Faith 1:1–13). And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lord, I Believe," General Conference April 2013
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This beautiful and important talk by Elder Holland addressed some of the most vital concerns of our time, when so many are struggling to understand their faith and belief in the gospel, the Church, even the Savior. Elder Holland shared and analyzed the Biblical story of the man who came to the Savior with a son who was struggling with an overwhelming affliction since his birth, begging for help. Jesus responded by asking about the man's belief, and received the profound and deeply honest response, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Elder Holland shared wonderful insights about the interplay of doubt, belief, faith, and knowledge.

I was touched to review Elder Holland's personal story of the young boy who came to him expressing the modern equivalent of the Biblical father's situation: belief that falls short of knowledge. Elder Holland's tender and precious response to that boy should give all of us hope as we work towards the same goals of stronger belief, greater faith, and confirmed knowledge!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President James E. Faust on true belief and action overcoming fear

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The Savior's words to the leader of the synagogue capture the essence of this story: 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36). These five words comprise my message to you.

"We must believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost (see Mosiah 4:9). We must believe in the Atonement and the Resurrection of the Savior. We must believe in the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern. We should also believe in ourselves.

"Believing requires action. If you prepare to walk down the path of life, you can be rewarded beyond your dreams and expectations. But to achieve this, you must work very hard, save, be wise, and be alert. You must learn to deny yourselves of worldly gratification. You must be faithful in paying tithes; you must keep the Word of Wisdom; you must be free from other addictions. You must be chaste and morally clean in every respect. You should accept and be faithful in all of the calls that come to you. Steadiness and toil will serve you better than brilliance."

- James E. Faust, "Pioneers of the Future: 'Be Not Afraid, Only Believe'," Ensign, Nov. 1997, p. 45
Click here to read or listen to the full article

The five simple words of the Savior's admonition as recorded in Mark are, to me, among the most profound and influential of His instructions. "Be not afraid, only believe." These words encapsulate guidance for dealing with a complex and sometimes confusing mortality, and provide the essence of the message of discipleship. They emphasize the important distinction between fear and faith, encouraging us to overcome the former with the latter. If we truly grasped the full import of this simple invitation and accepted it completely, much would be clarified and simplified in our lives.

Believe what? President Faust offers some suggestions: believe in God, the Savior, the Holy Spirit; believe in the power of the Atonement and Resurrection on our behalf; believe in prophets sent to represent God; believe in our own capacity to follow and find happiness.

But belief is not passive; true, sincere, heart-felt belief implies and requires action:

It's in the "deny[ng] yourselves of worldly gratification" that our incomplete belief is sometimes manifest, particularly as we allow those things to intervene in the actions that demonstrate true belief. The true and faithful disciple will demonstrate "steadiness" in the path, and not scattered instances of brilliance.

M. Russell Ballard on challenges in living the gospel

Elder M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928 — 88 years ago today) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"Brothers and sisters, accepting and living the gospel of Christ can be challenging. It has always been thus, and it ever will be. Life can be like hikers ascending a steep and arduous trail. It is a natural and normal thing to occasionally pause on the path to catch our breath, to recalculate our bearings, and to reconsider our pace. Not everyone needs to pause on the path, but there is nothing wrong with doing so when your circumstances require. In fact, it can be a positive thing for those who take full advantage of the opportunity to refresh themselves with the living water of the gospel of Christ.

"The danger comes when someone chooses to wander away from the path that leads to the tree of life. (See 1 Nephi 8:20–30.) Sometimes we can learn, study, and know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust, and hope.

"In the end, each one of us must respond to the Savior’s question: 'Will ye also go away?' (John 6:67) We all have to search for our own answer to that question. For some, the answer is easy; for others, it is difficult. I don’t pretend to know why faith to believe comes easier for some than for others. I’m just so grateful to know that the answers are always there, and if we seek them—really seek with real intent and with full purpose of a prayerful heart—we will eventually find the answers to our questions as we continue on the gospel path....

"My heartfelt plea is that we will encourage, accept, understand, and love those who are struggling with their faith. We must never neglect any of our brothers and sisters. We are all at different places on the path, and we need to minister to one another accordingly.

"Just as we should open our arms in a spirit of welcoming new converts, so too should we embrace and support those who have questions and are faltering in their faith."

- M. Russell Ballard, "To Whom Shall We Go?," General Conference, October 2016
Click here to read or hear the complete talk

I loved this talk by Elder Ballard in the recent conference. He speaks to those who are struggling with their faith or testimony, offering suggestions and encouragement on keeping a good perspective in spite of doubts or concerns.

I can relate to the hiking analogy in the first paragraph quoted here! I know people who never stop to rest on a hike; they have developed the energy or stamina to continue at an impressive pace. And there are some who symbolically do the same in life, in understanding, in testimony. But it's also very normal and very appropriate, as Elder Ballard indicates, to stop and reconsider, look around, evaluate pace and direction. As long as those things are done with the proper eternal perspective!

One of the most profound summaries of life was this simple statement, describing the two situations we will all encounter in our journey: "Sometimes we can learn, study, and know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust, and hope." Both are appropriate.

The other great thought of this excerpt was the encouragement to treat one another with understanding and respect, including (and perhaps especially) those who are unsure about their faith. If they ever needed an understanding, loving friend, it would be at a time like that.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on overcoming doubts with faith

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (1940- ) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"It's natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ....

"If you expect to find perfect people here, you will be disappointed. But if you seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the word of God 'which healeth the wounded soul' (Jacob 2:8), and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, then here you will find them. In this age of waning faith—in this age when so many feel distanced from heaven's embrace—here you will find a people who yearn to know and draw closer to their Savior by serving God and fellowmen, just like you. Come, join with us!"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come, Join with Us," Ensign, Nov 2013, pp. 21-24
Click here to read the full talk

I really loved this whole talk by President Uchtdorf. How true it is that "acorn[s] of honest inquiry" truly can sprout into "great oak[s] of understanding"—but if the inquiry is not honest, a very different result can occur. So much depends on our attitude and approach. If we are trying to plant "in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty" we face the risk of faith shriveling and dying.

And this led President Uchtdorf to share the classic couplet: "First doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." When we begin with a foundation of faith and hope, we must be very careful to not let doubt undermine what we know is true and right.

In the Church, we find perfect and pure doctrine; but we don't find perfect people. Sometimes we have to focus on the doctrine in order to cope with the people! It's sadly true that we sometimes need "the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost" to help us cling to faith in the midst of doubt. But it's worth it!

Harold B. Lee on the inner change of conversion

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"To settle an apparent controversy among his disciples as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God, he said: '...except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of [God].' (Matt. 18:3.)

"To become converted, according to the scriptures, meant having a change of heart and the moral character of a person turned from the controlled power of sin into a righteous life. It meant to 'wait patiently on the Lord' until one’s prayers can be answered and until his heart, as Cyprian, a defender of the faith in the Apostolic Period, testified, and I quote, 'Into my heart, purified of all sin, there entered a light which came from on high, and then suddenly and in a marvelous manner, I saw certainty succeed doubt.'

"Conversion must mean more than just being a 'card carrying' member of the Church with a tithing receipt, a membership card, a temple recommend, etc. It means to overcome the tendencies to criticize and to strive continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances."

- Harold B. Lee, "The Iron Rod," Ensign, June 1971, pp. 5-10
Click here to read the full talk

This is a question that seems to come up regularly: what does it really mean to be converted?  What does it mean to be really converted? President Lee defines these characteristics:

• having a change of heart
• the moral character turned from the controlled power of sin into a righteous life
• knowing that prayers are answered
• having a heart purified of sin, filled with divine light
• doubt erased by certainty
• overcoming the tendencies to criticize
• striving continually to improve inward weaknesses and not just outward appearances

That's a wonderful list to ponder. It reminds me of this beautiful question posed by Alma regarding the spiritual life of his followers:

And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26)

The life of one who is truly converted is a joyful, blessed one.

Quentin L. Cook on overcoming doubts and concerns through the Atonement

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"We recognize that some members have questions and concerns as they seek to strengthen their faith and testimonies. We should be careful not to be critical or judgmental of those with concerns—great or small. At the same time, those with concerns should do everything they can to build their own faith and testimony. Patiently and humbly studying, pondering, praying, living gospel principles, and counseling with appropriate leaders are the best ways to resolve questions or concerns.

"Some have asserted that more members are leaving the Church today and that there is more doubt and unbelief than in the past. This is simply not true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been stronger. The number of members removing their names from the records of the Church has always been very small and is significantly less in recent years than in the past. The increase in demonstrably measurable areas, such as endowed members with a current temple recommend, adult full-tithe payers, and those serving missions, has been dramatic. Let me say again, the Church has never been stronger. But, 'remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God' (D&C 18:10). We reach out to everyone.

"If the grim realities you are facing at this time seem dark and heavy and almost unbearable, remember that in the soul-wrenching darkness of Gethsemane and the incomprehensible torture and pain of Calvary, the Savior accomplished the Atonement, which resolves the most terrible burdens that can occur in this life. He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father."

- Quentin L. Cook, "The Lord Is My Light," Ensign, May 2015, pp. 62-66
Click here to read the full article

I appreciated Elder Cook's timely address. He speaks to those who might have questions or concerns as they learn about the Church and develop their testimonies. He encouraged proper inquiry and open honesty in resolving the concerns, while reassuring his listeners that the Church is strong and growing, not suffering from massive departures as some have claimed.

As he spoke of the "grim realities" being faced by members that might feel "dark and heavy," it was interesting to note that he was talking in the context of those "questions and concerns" and not the myriad other challenges we might face in mortality. Some who struggle with their testimonies feel more of the weight of that doubt than many of us realize. Yet Elder Cook presents the Atonement as the source of strength and hope in this situation too:

"He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father." How beautiful, how true, how glorious!

Robert D. Hales on finding answers to questions

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932- ) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"How can I question without losing the Spirit? ... All of us have questions at times in our lives on policies, procedures, or even principles. The best way to find the answers we seek is to search out the solution for ourselves.

"How do we go about it?

"First and foremost, it is our attitude, or how we ask the question, that is very, very important. If it is a demand, one loses the opportunity for an answer.

"Second, if we have strong feelings about the way something should be and are unwilling to listen, we may lose the opportunity to get an answer.

"One only has to remember when Martin Harris wanted to take home pages of the Book of Mormon translation to show to others. Joseph Smith prayed to the Lord a number of times to finally be allowed to let the man do it. The Lord knew that the pages would be lost. But sometimes we want something so much and keep praying about it that the Lord lets us do it for our learning experience.

"Sometimes we are drawn into seeking and giving answers that bring recognition or notoriety to 'our' thinking and to 'our' opinion. Don't look for signs or answers that build you up. Humility and submissiveness to God will always be fundamental in receiving direction from Him."

- Robert D. Hales, "Gifts of the Spirit," Ensign, Feb. 2002, pp. 17-18
Click here to read the full talk

There are occasionally issues and situations in the Church that can cause us to ponder and question. That is certainly the case with policies and procedures, that are usually man-made (though also usually inspired!). Principles, or underlying doctrines, are a different situation; we believe them to be divine and eternal.  But sometimes we even have occasion to wonder about the principles.

Elder Hales recognizes the validity of questioning, but encourages us to go about it in a productive and positive way. He warns us of the dangers of having a demanding, manipulative attitude or a pre-determined answer to our questions. Those are valid concerns.

A third challenge and caution relates to the motivation of questioning in a mode of self-confirmation or even self-aggrandizement.

The real key to receiving direction is "humility and submissiveness to God." This entire article has wonderful suggestions to help us become more receptive to spiritual gifts and impressions.