Last year in an assignment for another religion class I wrote basically a casual research paper in lesson form which I subtitled "Learning to Question my Beliefs."
I've never really been big on questions. I'll discuss things, read things, listen to things, occasionally talk about things, but hardly ever question things. It's a habit carefully formed by waiting until the absolute last second to ask a question in case it gets answered and I'm spared the effort (I mean, it's a theory, don't look too hard into my self-explanations). However, one of the things that has been impressed upon me especially in college is that educated people ask questions and question what they have been taught. I still don't necessarily wholeheartedly agree with that last part, to me it's more questioning how things function or how it got to be this way than questioning my beliefs like doubting that the sky is blue.
Having to think about these things in the realm of my class assignment I hit upon a pretty good description of what I like and do: ask faith-confirming questions.
I think that the second most important part of asking questions is being ready for the answer. This may sound juvenile, but it's true. When a kid asks why the sky is blue they aren't looking for the same answer that a doctor in astrophysics would give them. Our learning must fit our capacity to learn, so when it comes to complex religious questions, patience is necessary.
A lot of the time when you think about questions, you think of questions that challenge your beliefs. Instead, I try to think of questions as the way to make a foundation of answers. You start with primary questions (I love "primary song" questions: simple, to the point, foundational) like Am I a child of God? and Does he love me? Then Are the scriptures true? or ask about principles specifically. You might be familiar with the "golden questions" as demonstrated by the movie "The Best Two Years" which is a great place to start as well. Build off the knowledge you've received to reach for bigger truths. “Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith.” (D&C 8:10). Also, don't overload yourself with questions and weigh down your soul with doubts, go one at a time, step by step.
In the most recent conference, Elder Evans shared an experience he had as a young man as he discussed his questions with his mother. He recalled, “David, that is a good question. While you are searching and reading and praying for the answer, why don’t you do the things you know you should and not do the things you know you should not?” If asking and finding answers to our questions is to help build our testimony, we must do more then ask, we must also act. If you show God through your actions that you are willing to do the things you already know he asks of you, he will show you what you need to know.
Questions aren't just for hard times, sometimes it's just nice to do a spiritual check-up. Think about the answers you have received and be thankful for them. Be sure you know where you stand spiritually, and know how to improve. Answer the questions that God and his prophets ask us in the scriptures. Alayna's favorite is of course Alma 5:26. I'd hate to oversimplify a problem, but try to avoid serious doubts. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." (Here). There's also a really great youth sunday school lesson that talks about answering gospel questions.
If you're like me and don't necessarily love asking questions just remember that there are about 40 scriptures that explicitly say "ask and ye shall receive..."
I've never really been big on questions. I'll discuss things, read things, listen to things, occasionally talk about things, but hardly ever question things. It's a habit carefully formed by waiting until the absolute last second to ask a question in case it gets answered and I'm spared the effort (I mean, it's a theory, don't look too hard into my self-explanations). However, one of the things that has been impressed upon me especially in college is that educated people ask questions and question what they have been taught. I still don't necessarily wholeheartedly agree with that last part, to me it's more questioning how things function or how it got to be this way than questioning my beliefs like doubting that the sky is blue.
Having to think about these things in the realm of my class assignment I hit upon a pretty good description of what I like and do: ask faith-confirming questions.
I think that the second most important part of asking questions is being ready for the answer. This may sound juvenile, but it's true. When a kid asks why the sky is blue they aren't looking for the same answer that a doctor in astrophysics would give them. Our learning must fit our capacity to learn, so when it comes to complex religious questions, patience is necessary.
A lot of the time when you think about questions, you think of questions that challenge your beliefs. Instead, I try to think of questions as the way to make a foundation of answers. You start with primary questions (I love "primary song" questions: simple, to the point, foundational) like Am I a child of God? and Does he love me? Then Are the scriptures true? or ask about principles specifically. You might be familiar with the "golden questions" as demonstrated by the movie "The Best Two Years" which is a great place to start as well. Build off the knowledge you've received to reach for bigger truths. “Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith.” (D&C 8:10). Also, don't overload yourself with questions and weigh down your soul with doubts, go one at a time, step by step.
In the most recent conference, Elder Evans shared an experience he had as a young man as he discussed his questions with his mother. He recalled, “David, that is a good question. While you are searching and reading and praying for the answer, why don’t you do the things you know you should and not do the things you know you should not?” If asking and finding answers to our questions is to help build our testimony, we must do more then ask, we must also act. If you show God through your actions that you are willing to do the things you already know he asks of you, he will show you what you need to know.
Questions aren't just for hard times, sometimes it's just nice to do a spiritual check-up. Think about the answers you have received and be thankful for them. Be sure you know where you stand spiritually, and know how to improve. Answer the questions that God and his prophets ask us in the scriptures. Alayna's favorite is of course Alma 5:26. I'd hate to oversimplify a problem, but try to avoid serious doubts. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." (Here). There's also a really great youth sunday school lesson that talks about answering gospel questions.
If you're like me and don't necessarily love asking questions just remember that there are about 40 scriptures that explicitly say "ask and ye shall receive..."
CAN YE FEEL SO NOW?!?! (Alma 5:26)
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