2016
Answers to My Questions
May 2016


“Answers to My Questions,” New Era, May 2016, 12–15

Answers to My Questions

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young man at conference

Photograph by Church Publishing Services

I come from a troubled family. Can I really create a strong family in my future?

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D. Todd Christofferson

To children whose family situation is troubled, we say, you yourself are no less for that. Challenges are at times an indication of the Lord’s trust in you. He can help you, directly and through others, to deal with what you face. You can become the generation, perhaps the first in your family, where the divine patterns that God has ordained for families truly take shape and bless all the generations after you.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I believe the Church is true, but it’s still hard for me to live it. How can I be more spiritual?

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Bonnie L. Oscarson

We all need to seek to have our hearts and very natures changed so that we no longer have a desire to follow the ways of the world but to please God. True conversion is a process that takes place over a period of time and involves a willingness to exercise faith. It comes when we search the scriptures instead of the Internet. It comes when we are obedient to the commandments of God. Conversion comes when we serve those around us. It comes from earnest prayer, regular temple attendance, and faithful fulfillment of our God-given responsibilities. It takes consistency and daily effort.

Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president

I used to have a testimony, but I’m not sure anymore. What can I do?

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Gerrit W. Gong

We learn by asking and searching. But please do not cease exploration until you arrive … “where [you] started and know the place for the first time.”1 When you are ready, please open your heart to the Book of Mormon, again, for the first time. Please pray with real intent, again, for the first time.

Trust that early or faint memory. Let it enlarge your faith. With God, there is no point of no return.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Seventy

How can I make my prayers more meaningful?

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Russell M. Nelson

We need to pray from our hearts. Polite recitations of past and upcoming activities, punctuated with some requests for blessings, cannot constitute the kind of communing with God that brings enduring power. Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you.

President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Why is there so much persecution against the Church?

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Dallin H. Oaks

The Church in its divine mission and we in our personal lives seem to face increasing opposition today. Perhaps as the Church grows in strength and we members grow in faith and obedience, Satan increases the strength of his opposition so we will continue to have “opposition in all things” [2 Nephi 2:11].

Some of this opposition even comes from Church members. Some who use personal reasoning or wisdom to resist prophetic direction give themselves a label borrowed from elected bodies—“the loyal opposition.” However appropriate for a democracy, there is no warrant for this concept in the government of God’s kingdom, where questions are honored but opposition is not. …

Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will “consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How can I make my home a better place to be?

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Steven E. Snow

Humility enables us to be better … sons and daughters, neighbors and friends.

… It is especially important to remember humility when you feel contention rising in your home. Think of all the heartache you can avoid by humbling yourself to say, “I’m sorry”; “That was inconsiderate of me”; “What would you like to do?”; “I just wasn’t thinking”; or “I’m very proud of you.” If these little phrases were humbly used, there would be less contention and more peace in our homes.

Elder Steven E. Snow of the Seventy

What exactly are priesthood keys?

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Gary E. Stevenson

The priesthood, or priesthood authority, has been defined as “the power and authority of God”2 and “the consummate power on this earth.”3 Priesthood keys are defined for our understanding as well: “Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood leaders to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”4 Priesthood keys control the exercise of priesthood authority. Ordinances that create a record in the Church require keys and cannot be done without authorization. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that “ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used.”5

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How can I prevent trials from overcoming my faith?

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Henry B. Eyring

All of us have had our faith tested by precious blessings delayed, vicious attacks of those who wanted to destroy our faith, temptations to sin, and selfish interests that reduced our efforts to cultivate and soften the spiritual depths of our hearts. …

… Satan is clever. He tells those he wishes to be miserable that the joy they once felt was childish self-delusion. …

… If you listen [to conference] with the Spirit, you will find your heart softened, your faith strengthened, and your capacity to love the Lord increased. …

… Listen carefully to the testimonies borne in this conference—you will feel closer to the Lord.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

If I forgive someone, won’t that mean that justice isn’t served?

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Kevin R. Duncan

I am convinced that most of us want to forgive, but we find it very hard to do. When we have experienced an injustice, we may be quick to say, “That person did wrong. They deserve punishment. Where is the justice?” We mistakenly think that if we forgive, somehow justice will not be served and punishments will be avoided.

This simply is not the case. God will mete out a punishment that is fair, for mercy cannot rob justice (see Alma 42:25). [See also D&C 82:23 and Jacob 3:1.]

As victims, if we are faithful, we can take great comfort in knowing that God will compensate us for every injustice we experience. …

… To forgive is not to condone. We do not rationalize bad behavior or allow others to mistreat us because of their struggles, pains, or weaknesses. But we can gain greater understanding and peace when we see with a broader perspective.

Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy

What if I feel like I get revelation that goes against gospel teachings?

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Robert D. Hales

Sometimes the adversary tempts us with false ideas that we may confuse with the Holy Ghost. I testify that faithfulness in obeying the commandments and keeping our covenants will protect us from being deceived. Through the Holy Ghost, we will be able to discern those false prophets who teach for doctrine the commandments of men. …

All of us may be tempted to let our personal desires overcome the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith pleaded with Heavenly Father for permission to lend the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon to Martin Harris. Joseph thought it was a good idea. At first the Holy Ghost did not give him confirming feelings. Eventually, the Lord allowed Joseph to lend the pages anyway. Martin Harris lost them. For a season, the Lord withdrew the Prophet’s gift to translate, and Joseph learned a painful but valuable lesson that shaped the remainder of his service.

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 

Note

  1. T. S. Eliot, “Little Gidding,” in Four Quartets (1943), section 5, lines 241–42.

  2. Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), page 8.

  3. Boyd K. Packer, “Priesthood Power in the Home” (worldwide leadership training meeting, Feb. 2012), lds.org/broadcasts.

  4. Handbook 2, 2.1.1.

  5. “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2014, 50.