Overcoming Your ‘Whys’ of the Gospel

By Danica Contor
@danica.contor
https://msha.ke/naptimedevotionals/

Why? Easily the most asked question by every child between the ages of 2 and 6. “Why is the sky blue?” “Why does the Easter bunny hide eggs when bunnies don’t even lay eggs?” “Why can’t I ride my bike in the street?” Our Heavenly Parents blessed us with curious, questioning minds that don’t stop asking why at age 7, but continue to search for why as we grow. So how do we choose to stay when there’s so much we don’t know and so much we still want to know that we don’t have answers to? 

Start With What You Know.

One of my favorite quotes by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says, “When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your ‘unbelief.’ That is like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak…I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have” (“Lord, I Believe” April 2013). When my questions arose, I started with what I do know: I know I have a loving Father and Mother in Heaven, who have a plan for me, who know me, who sent Their Son to pave the path so I might find my way home again. As I reviewed the things I knew, I found myself reframing my questions within my knowledge of the gospel. 

Ask and Accept

Our Heavenly Parents blessed us with curious minds on purpose. We are encouraged to come to our Heavenly Father in prayer and ask our questions. Sometimes the answers are straightforward, and sometimes the answer is “You need to wait for an answer.” Understanding the nature of the parent/child relationship can often help us understand answers like “Be patient,” and “Not yet.” One of the most important parts in praying for answers is accepting the answer. 

It’s not easy to get answers we don’t like, but an answer is an answer. We don’t need to keep asking. The Lord reminded Oliver Cowdrey, “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:23). I remind myself that often, an answer I don’t like is one that is better for me. My curious mind tends to seek information beyond my capacity to act on the information. Then, I reexamine the information, covenants, and knowledge I do have and consider how well I am following them. God works line upon line, precept upon precept, and if we have not mastered the first line, the first precept, He will bless us by not giving us the second. 

Gather with Trusted People

Christ says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). After my review of what I know, and my conversations with God, I still felt restless about some of it, so I got on a group chat with my two of my sisters-in-law; these are women I know to be strong in the gospel, and who love me. I told them I had thoughts on my mind, things I just needed to air out and speak aloud. One expressed how she had been dealing with similar thoughts. We continued to talk, going over the things we knew to be true, bringing in conversations we had shared with our husbands, and our knowledge of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” As we talked, we both came to the same conclusion: we have Heavenly Parents who love us tremendously, and who want us to learn of Christ, talk of Christ, and become like Christ so that we might someday return to live with Them through Him. Gathering with trusted friends, and family, as well as local leaders, is a great way to discuss questions.

“Why” can be a tough question to ask. The most beautiful thing about our agency is the ability to have questions and choose to stay. We don’t have to have all the answers; we don’t have to know why to continue to follow Christ. Jesus told the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). We can choose to believe, ask for help with our unbelief, gather with others on the covenant path as we walk in faith, and choose to stay in the flock.

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