without questions there are no answers.

Often times, as Latter-day Saints, we find that there are things with doctrine or church history that we just don't understand. There probably isn't even a good answer or explanation for something, and you'll just have to wait until God explains it to you face to face. But, you know what's awesome about having these questions? You look for answers.

Personal revelation is at the very core of our belief system; Joseph Smith had a question, he had an issue with the existing systems and asked God. That asking lead to the restoration of the gospel and God's authority.

When you and I have questions we are taught to go to God and seek answers. If there were no difficult doctrines, if there were only rainbows and puppy dogs, many of us would never come to a crux in our faith and our lives as Mormons. We wouldn't turn to God, and we wouldn't have a revelatory experience. We would just keep chugging along, never knowing for ourselves, never feeling like God could/would communicate with us.

So asking questions is good. It's the whole point of this existence. And when people join the Church it is through questions that they learn. We're the same. But we must remember that how we ask these questions is important.

You must ask questions from a point of faith rather than a point of doubt. You must build on the foundations of the things you do know and use that as your basis for growth and increased knowledge.

Elder Holland says, "In the growth we all have to experience in mortality . . . When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes."

He continues, "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.' . . . I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."

I'm grateful that God wants to communicate with me, and I'm grateful he gives me opportunities to build my faith and exercise that faith when it is difficult to see the whole picture.