Ask Questions as You Study
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out” (“Chapter 22,” below). Thus, when studying Church history, doctrine, or practice, we will often encounter things we don’t immediately understand. When this happens, we can follow prophetic counsel to continue studying out the matter while remembering to “hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes” (“Lord, I Believe,” below, italics removed).
Because some answers don’t come immediately, we may eventually need to focus our efforts on other things as we continue to study what we don’t understand. This does not mean we ignore or overlook these issues. It does mean we acknowledge that we cannot know everything immediately and that all revelation is given in the Lord’s own due time (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:62). We can also trust the Lord’s promise that eventually “he shall reveal all things—things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:32–33).
Consider some of the recommendations here on scripture study and the importance of asking good questions when you study.
For more information, consider studying the following:
- Robert L. Millet, “Making the Crucial Decision—Now,” Latter-day Saint Scholars Testify, FAIR
- Geret Giles and Steve Densley Jr., “Barriers to Belief: Mental Distress and Disaffection from the Church,” 2018 FairMormon Conference
- “Answering Gospel Questions,” Gospel Topics in Gospel Library
- “Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith
- Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe,” April 2013 general conference.
Carefully Consider Sources
All sources are not created equal. As we seek answers to our questions, we need to carefully evaluate sources we turn to for information. In his book Real vs. Rumor, Keith A. Erekson identifies five important criteria for evaluating whether or not a source is reliable:
- Accuracy – a reliable source contains facts that can be corroborated (verified in another source) or triangulated (piecing together details from multiple sources to verify information).
- Authenticity – we establish authenticity by verifying that a source actually is what it claims to be; and by remembering that every ‘fake’ source has a perpetrator with a motive, a target community with a desire, and a fabrication with a provenance (the story of the source’s creation and whereabouts since then.
- Reliability – reliability can be established when you can trace a story to an original source, evaluate the accuracy and authenticity of those sources, and then determine the reliability of the source. Sources with vague attribution or details are suspect.
- Fairness – “striving for fairness involves holding yourself to the same standard as you hold others, recognizing when you have a vested interest in an issue, and sympathetically representing the viewpoints of others.”
- Comprehensiveness – reliable sources are comprehensive – they seek out all of the accurate facts, authentic sources and reliable stories.
As we look for answers to our questions – and for podcasts, readings, and presentations to supplement our Come, Follow Me study – we need to do the work necessary to make sure we are using reliable sources.
For more information, consider studying the following:
- Keith A. Erekson, “Real vs. Rumor,” 2021 FAIR Conference
- “Microtraining 3: How to Assess the Reliability of Sources,” Answering My Gospel Questions Teacher Manual in Gospel Library
- “Links to Gospel Study Resources,” Seminary & Institute
- Shelly Cluff, “Five Principles for Seeking Information from Reliable Sources,” Meridian Magazine, February 7, 2021.
Studying the New Testament: Cross-cultural Contexts – Ben Spackman
General New Testament Resources
