Comments on: How can I get past doubting everything?

By: Bruce Young

Bruce Young — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 21:54:00 +0000

The words of Pres. Uchtdorf and others on this topic are wise and helpful. I’ll add something from the writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, who had a character–a monk named Zosima–counsel a woman whose faith was troubled. Zosima tells the woman that she can overcome her doubts “By the experience of active love. Try to love your neighbors actively and tirelessly. The more you succeed in loving, the more you’ll be convinced of the existence of God and the immortality of our soul. And if you reach complete selflessness in the love of your neighbor, then undoubtedly you will believe, and no doubt will even be able to enter you soul.” (This is from Book 1, chapter 4, of “The Brothers Karamazov.”)

Of course, Dostoevsky’s words are not scripture, but I believe there’s a lot of truth in what he says. Another way to put it is this: living the gospel–actively and wholeheartedly–will help it become real to you and become part of you. You will know it is true because you are experiencing it as a living reality.

By: Barber

Barber — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 09:59:00 +0000

Hi there. It’s not because of Satan. The LDS Church believes and follows the teachings of the Maker (Jesus Christ) who taught free agency. So if you doubt, that’s you. If you killed someone, that’s you. If you chose vanilla over chocolate, that’s you. A choice is a choice. Even God himself said that He wants you to make mistakes and learn from them because he wants “wise servants”. His point was that He wants you to progress. It’s good that you are doubting. You should challenge your beliefs and opinions. Study other religions, study this one more, do nothing. That’s up to you. As long as you achieve joy while achieving “Christ-like” attributes, then you’re golden no matter where you go. Well, anywhere relatively healthy. I mean, you can have piercings, tattoos, take smokes, and drink while cussing like a sailor and have said attributes. They are kindness, charity, love, forgiveness, etc. There’s a way to achieve these things in a different perspective way that achieves the same goal. Like a boss may go hard on you to help you progress, or may treat you kindly so you can feel welcomed. You’ll know what I mean if you don’t already. Anyway, I blame hormones, as they make us question ourselves every once in a while. And if hormones are of the devil then be evil. You literally can’t choose any other option. You’re stuck with it, even after middle school. I mean, they are the worst at middle school, but they’ll still get you every once in a while until you’re almost thirty, I think. Anyway, if Church isn’t what makes you happy, Ella, then don’t go. Don’t worry about it. His grace is sufficient and He will understand. He “does” love you. He’ll understand. Just go out and do what you want to do, however, and wherever you want. Just don’t forget about consequence. I hope this helps. Thank you.

By: Liz Perrott

Liz Perrott — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:43:00 +0000

I think it may be the way that unless you have made friends during the enquirer process often it feels as if you are no longer getting the attention you did, once you are baptised. I do think that it is important to support new members for a lot longer than often happens. Too many people fall away shortly after their baptism and this is telling us something surely about how we welcome and support new members until they have really found their feet so to speak.

By: Don Layton

Don Layton — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 04:46:00 +0000

As always, this is a great answer, but I’d expand one point. Reading the scriptures is helpful. Immersing ourselves in the scriptures is life-changing. How do you know the difference? Well, one way is that after 30-45 minutes, if you feel that you are struggling to tear yourself away from your scripture study, you’ve been immersed. Here is one way you can become immersed. Try it regularly for two weeks and see if it doesn’t make a huge difference in your life. It has for me.

Select a time when you won’t be interrupted and begin with prayer. You can think of a question (in this case it could be “how can I build greater faith) and make that your topic. Then begin researching every scripture you can on the topic. You can find a list of subjects in your topical guide or if you use electronic media for your scripture study, you can use both the topical guide and the search feature. Take time to ponder what you read. Think about it deeply.

After you read a passage on the topic you have chosen, try searching for it at http://scriptures.byu.edu/. This site allows you to look up the scripture and see what the General Authorities have said while using it as a reference in their talks. For me, it brings in an additional level of meaning but maybe your experience would be different.

Write down impressions (or thoughts) as they come to you. Personally I use a study journal on the computer, but a written journal or a Word document works fine. I believe the Lord will be more apt to bless us with personal revelation if we demonstrate that we are serious about what He tells us to do. Then make sure to do what you are impressed to do. This is so important and is a demonstration of our desire to have and exercise more faith. Always return thanks to God for the light and truth He provides.