Introduction

Long before Joseph Smith knelt to pray in the Sacred Grove, he had laid the foundation for his spiritual growth. He spent many months attending worship services, reading the Bible, and participating in family prayers. He talked to his family members, including some who were skeptical of organized religion. Joseph had to work to find answers to his questions. Ultimately, God answered Joseph’s prayer. But the First Vision did not answer all Joseph’s questions. For Joseph, seeking answers was a lifelong pursuit.

Today, information about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is more accessible than ever before. This can be a great blessing, but it isn’t always easy to know which sources are trustworthy. And some of the things we learn may raise difficult questions. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf noted that “some might feel embarrassed or unworthy because they have searching questions regarding the gospel, but they needn’t feel that way.” He taught, “Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.”¹ The articles in this resource offer several suggestions that can help you find peace as you seek answers to your questions.