Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Part 4

Finding Answers to Spiritual Questions

At times, you may have spiritual questions or concerns about doctrinal, personal, social, or historical topics. When you have such questions or concerns, you can act in faith, examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective, and seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources. This lesson is intended to help you review the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge.

Challenges to faith

Read the following scenarios. Or you may want to watch the video “Divinely Appointed Sources” from time code 2:43 to 4:19, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Ashlyn is a young woman who heard something that troubled her about the Church from a friend. She felt the information had been hidden from her and that she had been lied to by not being told these things earlier in her life. She started talking to others who were similarly upset, and she read negative commentary on the subject.

Hugo learned about a challenging doctrinal topic in seminary and went online to learn more. He saw sources that were critical of the Church in regard to this subject. Out of curiosity, he watched a video that negatively portrayed the Church’s teachings about the topic. This experience left him questioning the truthfulness of the Church for the first time in his life.

• How would you feel in these situations?

• How do you think you would respond?

Having unanswered spiritual questions about doctrinal, personal, social, or historical topics can be difficult. Think about such questions you might have and consider writing them down for this lesson.

There are things you can learn and do that can help you respond to questions or concerns with integrity and faith. As you study this lesson, think about how the information you learn can help you respond to your own questions with trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge

The following principles can guide you in your efforts to receive direction and understanding concerning spiritual questions:

• Act in faith.

• Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective.

• Seek further information through divinely appointed sources.

Act in faith

Read the following scenarios. Or you may want to watch the video “Divinely Appointed Sources” from time code 4:19 to 5:35, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. You may also want to read paragraphs 5–7 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023) before reading the scenarios or watching the video.

After learning what she did, Ashlyn was so upset that she stopped participating in church. For over a year, she distanced herself from the Church. Eventually, a close friend asked her why she had stopped participating. He shared a general conference talk with her that he thought would be helpful and invited her to pray about what she read.

Hugo kept his doubts and concerns to himself but continued to participate in church. Yet his feelings of confusion did not go away. At a certain point, he had a very strong feeling that he should talk to his parents about his concerns. It was the first spiritual feeling he had recognized since his experience on the internet.

1. Answer the following questions:

   • How do you see Ashlyn and Hugo acting or not acting in faith?

   • What could you say that might encourage them to turn to God in response to their challenges?

   • What scriptures could help a person act in faith when he or she has a question that is not easily answered?

   List at least one scripture in your study journal and explain why you feel it could be helpful. If you struggle to find one, review the doctrinal mastery scripture passages and key scripture phrases in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

Review paragraphs 8–10 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

2. Answer the following questions:

   • How would examining concepts and questions with an eternal perspective have helped Ashlyn or Hugo when their doubts first arose?

   • How could it help them in their current situations?

   • What would you want Hugo or Ashlyn to understand about God and His plan at this point in their lives?

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

Review paragraphs 11–12 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

Read the following scenarios. Or you may want to watch the video “Divinely Appointed Sources” from time code 5:35 to 7:01, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Ashlyn decided to read the general conference talk recommended to her by her friend. As she read, she felt a sense of peace and contentment that was very different from what she had felt when reading negative commentary about the Church. She felt a personal reassurance that there was goodness and truth in what she was reading. In time, through prayer and faithful study, she felt her testimony being strengthened, though she still had unanswered questions.

Hugo spoke to his parents and found that they were very kind and understanding about his concerns. They introduced him to the Gospel Topics resource in the Gospel Library, and they read together about topics that concerned him. He found comfort knowing there are prophetic responses he can look to for answers to his questions.

3. Answer the following questions:

   • From what sources did each person in the scenarios get information? Which sources were trustworthy? Why or why not?

   • What difference did it make when Ashlyn and Hugo turned to divinely appointed sources?

   • What divinely appointed sources are you grateful for? Why?

   Think about what you learned today and how it might help with spiritual questions or challenges you or others have. Consider writing in your journal what you have learned that might help you find peace and understanding. Invite Heavenly Father’s influence to inspire you as you reflect and write.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can God help those who feel their faith in Him or His gospel is shaken?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:

I learned in my life that we don’t need to be “more” of anything to start to become the person God intended us to become.

God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord. …

As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change [see 1 Samuel 10:9]. Your whole being will be filled with light [see Matthew 6:22].

God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life. It works. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “It Works Wonderfully!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 22–23)