Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please CLICK HERE
The following is excerpted from LDS Living. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
A few weeks ago, a brother stood at the pulpit in my ward in Arkansas and humbly shared his testimony. He spoke about his journey toward faith, his struggles with doubt, and his hope to keep moving forward. A feeling of love and gratitude arose from the congregation because many of us had gone through similar experiences.
A lot of us worry about doubt—what it is, what it does, and what it means in regards to our faithfulness. But perhaps the fact that we care enough about our faith to ask these questions is an indication that we are stronger than we think. In any case, if we feel that we have doubts, but that we are also trying to be faithful, we are not alone.
How can we live with doubt in faithful ways, and support others in doing the same? Everyone’s journey is different, but here are some ideas.
Respect the varying meanings of doubt.
The word doubt means different things to different people. For some individuals doubt has negative connotations, and feeling doubt is accompanied by loneliness, confusion, or fear. For others, having doubt is simply having questions, not being certain, or exploring new ideas. Perhaps we would benefit by taking the time to acknowledge our own interpretations of the word doubt. Likewise, we can allow for variety in other people’s definitions.
Here’s an interesting example: In some languages, missionaries ask the people they are teaching, “Do you have any doubts?” as a way of saying “Do you have any questions or concerns?” They aren’t asking if people believe everything they have said. Rather, they are asking if there is anything they need to clarify.
Being aware that people feel and interpret doubt in different ways can help us be more effective in our conversations, and will be reflected in our tone of voice, our reactions, and our willingness to listen.
Develop an attitude of trust in God.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Kathleen ChinSeptember 28, 2019
I just read, “An Epistle from an Apostle,” an address given by M. Russell Ballard to the Utah Salt Lake Area on September 11, 2016. President Ballard gives helpful and specific counsel about the eternal importance of some questions, and how we can encourage and validate such questions. Additionally, he gives clear counsel to parents and church leaders to not dismiss, minimize, gloss over, shame, etc. those who ask questions. He stresses, we need not be scholars or historians to help others answer their questions; we can study and search out answers together. One crucial point he makes it that there is still a place for faith when we have questions. “Of course we may not always find satisfying answers to our questions. At such times it’s good to remember, there is still a place in religion for faith. Sometimes we can learn and study and know; sometimes we have to believe, and trust and hope.” In my 40+ years as a convert, I’ve learned that it is a sign of spiritual maturity to live with some ambiguity—I don’t always receive answers and explanations, or understanding when I first ask or ponder a question. Yet, I don’t need to allow insufficiently answered nor incompletely understood questions to become the “be all and end all” of my church membership. When I’ve been patient and allowed the Holy Ghost to guide me...eventually I’ve found answers and/or actual peace regarding my questions and doubts. My late husband (also a convert) used to love to quote this Zen phrase, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We need not fear our doubts or questions, because our Father in Heaven—in His perfect love for each of us—will lead and guide us to the answers. Don’t give up on Him; He never gives up on us! K. Chin-Modesto, CA