But what if it's not true?
When church is hard and people leave.
Just a thought.
I have loved ones who left the church. A few mission friends that left recently too. Quite a few celebrities I adored (who are members) have been leaving. Some I know say they still believe, but they’re not actively participating.
I thought I was okay, until I found out a favorite author (a member) left too.
This is just weird. What is happening?
Hey God, have I been out of the loop?
Everyone significant in my life seems like they find no value in the gospel anymore, (not enough to stay at least)…wouldn’t that mean it’s not true? Not…anymore?
Hey God, what if it’s not true? Is there another place I should go instead?
Well, I mean, I do want to believe it’s true. But it’s painful to suddenly encounter information that express a lot of sorrow, pain, hate, and affliction towards something I love, (and have loved for a really long time.)
I think of that father two thousand years ago, crying out in the agony of his soul to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). We long for the soothing answers only God can give, to peek behind the veil. Tennyson won his battle—as much as one in mortality can triumph in matters of belief. Although most prefer to be Thomas and feel the prints of the nails “and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27), we gain depth and spiritual muscle when we are “perplext in faith” with “honest doubt” (In Memoriam, XCVI, lines 9, 11).
Perplext in faith. Honest doubt. Is that what it is? So God is okay with my perplext faith? My doubt being expressed, even while staying?
Could being all in mean something different than just a fixated standard of black and white?
There is something good, necessary even, about exerting all our powers when surrounded by forces with “such an astonishing influence” (Joseph Smith—History 1:15). We pray through the darkness until the light appears. This has happened more than once in my life. Light lives in darkness!
We know that Jesus is Light, and we understand that He lives in darkness (as mentioned by brother Wilcox)—
Wouldn’t that mean that God gives grace and growth even in the dark? The Light, which is Jesus, is given to us by our Heavenly Father to have hope—a merciful Gift that lets us have a bright sunshine even in the dark?
In the meantime, immerse yourself in the rich reservoir of revelation we have at our fingertips. I promise that doing so will strengthen your testimony, even if some of your questions are not yet answered. Your sincere questions, asked in faith, will always lead to greater faith and more knowledge.
If friends and family should step away from the Church, continue to love them. It is not for you to judge another’s choice any more than you deserve to be criticized for staying faithful.
Now, please hear me when I say: Do not be led astray by those whose doubts may be fueled by things you cannot see in their lives. Most of all, let your skeptical friends see how much you love the Lord and His gospel. Surprise their doubting hearts with your believing heart!
Someone told me once that truth is like a library filled with books. Just because one chooses to turn off the library lights, doesn’t mean the books aren’t there. You just may not see the books that well, the information you’re looking for. Sometimes the lights may flicker too. It may look dim, or faint.
It’s okay to be in the dark sometimes. Just remember that there is still Light in the darkness of uncertainty. The Lord, Jesus, is that Light in the darkness. For that I am grateful that He is graceful enough to allow our honesty, and steady our waters of perplext faith.
Where shall we go? Let us go unto the Lord, Jesus. Because you and I are not made to be alone in our honest journey of becoming His, over and over again. ❤️
Elder Bednar's approach to teaching has resonated with me from the very beginning of his ministry, first as President of BYU-Idaho (formerly Ricks) and then as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Your message has resonated with me as well. Producing content is not easy, but it is rewarding, especially when you are called to share.
I’m so touched by the talk of Elder Bednar🥰 neways, I always and will always know that Heavenly Father is real. I’m blessed to have His gospel in my life. Yeah, I see loved ones, friends and those I look up to , people who are not in the true gospel anymore Altho some just retain teachings that is very convenient for them like not taking drugs etc. Because of these scenarios I also tend to ask myself hmmm what’s going on? But in that very moment of “???” I always feel that the gospel is true. It’s the circumstances that made one turn left partially or even totally . I make things very simple “ Stay on the Right Path”. Pray unceasingly for the things you need spiritually and temporally. Doing these things will bring us peace. And most of all, love and pray for those loved ones who may have been doubting and lose their faith. Jae, stay strong. You are chosen in this life to inspire others . I love your articles and the inspirations I received from reading it.