Consult Reliable Sources

Asking sincere questions is part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Become more familiar with skills and principles for seeking answers and helping others with their questions.

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true.”¹ In this environment of uncertainty, the Church urges members to “seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information.”² We should avoid sources that are founded on rumor or promote contention or anger.

Learning to assess the quality of our sources of information is an important skill that involves both spiritual and intellectual work. Here are some tips for evaluating information:

Evaluate the reliability of sources.Not all sources are of equal value on all topics. The best sources will have direct knowledge of a topic instead of relying on hearsay, rumor, or innuendo. They will speak from a position of expertise and refer to other reputable sources so you can check their claims. Note that reliable sources will not always affirm what you already think. They may challenge your views. If you have questions about official Church teaching, look first at what current Church leaders have and have not said. Then you can start from a place of understanding as you evaluate other, earlier statements.

Learn to recognize bias.Almost all sources have some bias. This does not automatically make them unreliable, but it is important to take the source’s perspective into account. Examine your source’s motives and background. Be wary of sources that claim to be unbiased, express their ideas in accusatory ways, or claim to be the only ones telling the truth.

Corroborate what you learn.It is significant when multiple reliable sources agree or speak with clarity on a topic. This is especially important when evaluating questions about Church history and teachings. Though it is not always possible to find this kind of agreement, it is best to compare information from different sources so you can better assess their quality.

Distinguish facts from interpretation.Some pieces of information are facts. But most of what we learn consists of interpretations of facts. The best interpretations try to account for all the facts. They consider specific details or facts in broader context and proper proportion. They don’t simply dismiss information that doesn’t agree with a particular point of view. It is important to check the sources underlying a particular interpretation to ensure they support the point being made and are not taken out of context.

Become familiar with Church resources.In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook. The Church has also published additional resources to help you better understand some of the most common questions Latter-day Saints have about Church history and culture. You may find these to be a useful starting point as you investigate your questions.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost.New information can sometimes feel disorienting. That feeling doesn’t necessarily mean the information isn’t true. The Holy Ghost can help you discern truth. It will “enlighten your mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13) and help you reorient your perspective in light of new truths. Pray for help in seeking answers to your questions. Live in such a way that the Spirit can speak to you. Be open to spiritual promptings as you work to resolve your concerns.

Key scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14–16; Jacob 4:13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:38

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