5 Responses to “Is wrong to question ones testimony?”
Anonymous
2008-10-13 02:38:39
Members of our church are encouraged to think for themselves and gain a personal testimony of the gospel. In order for this to happen, many members experience a period of time when they question the testimony they grew up with. It is very natural to feel the need to verify your feelings and beliefs. In the Doctrine & Covenants 9:8 we read, "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."
When questioning your testimony, you must be prepared to search for the answers. If you read the scriptures and sincerely pray to the Lord to be guided to the answers to your questions, the Lord will hear and answer your prayers. In the Book of Mormon we read "If ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ. " (2 Nephi 33: 11)
Question your own testimony with an open mind and an open heart and turn to the Lord, and you will be given the answers you are looking for.
Julianna
2008-11-24 05:03:40
No, it's not wrong. If you never question, you never learn. I find it's good for my testimony to occasionally take all the basic and less basic principles of the gospel and question them individually--do I believe this to be a true principle? Why do I believe it? What scriptural, life, prophetic, etc evidence do I have to back up my position?
As I back up my beliefs and reestablish what I believe and why, I am able to refocus and see more clearly where I am headed. It gives me more confidence and more happiness in general. If you never question your testimony, and never remind yourself why your beliefs are valid and important to you, you risk allowing them to become stagnant and eventually die out.
Questioning your testimony is an important part of the spiritual strengthening/maintenance process, the same way strength training, cardiovascular training, etc are an important part of your physical strenthening/maintenance process.
The only caution I would give you is that when you're questioning your testimony, don't do it because you read a list of reasons the church is "evil" on some website. They say one of the quickest ways to fall out of love with someone is to start listing their faults, and the same is true for anything with an emotional attachment. When you start focusing on the negatives, they start to be all you can see. Make lists for yourself of the reasons the church is true, just like you would make mental lists of all the reasons you love your spouse/significant other. You'll find it's much easier to have a strong testimony when you're focusing on positive things. There is a distinct reason behind this--the true gospel of God will uplift you and make you a better, happier person. The work of the adversary will drag you down and leave you feeling empty. Even when cautioning the members about spiritual dangers, the general authorities don't spend vast amounts of time focusing on the negatives related to those dangers. They ask you instead to seek after virtuous, good things. Those dangers aren't compatible with being virtuous or good, so are therefore naturally avoided.
When questioning your testimony, I strongly encourage you to put down anything that isn't actual doctrine and focus specifically on the scriptures, conference talks, etc. Rather than anyone's opinion on the church. These things are doctrine for a reason. They will fill you spiritually and allow you to see more clearly.
Anonymous
2008-10-13 02:20:18
I don't think it is wrong. In fact it was this type of thinking that led to the formation of the LDS faith. When Joseph Smith didn't know what to do with all the war of opinions and wanted to know. He found James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
So go to God ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you.
Anonymous
2008-10-13 02:20:38
The simple answer, I think, is no. There is nothing wrong with questioning someones testimony. I do think common rules of manners apply, but feel free to question. Not everyone is good at putting their feelings into words and every testimony is a personal experience, but if you have questions-ask.
Vivian
2008-10-13 02:38:59
Hi,
First of all, are you questioning your testimony (your commitment) or your beliefs? When you discover the difference between this two concepts you'll know the answer.
When questioning your testimony, you must be prepared to search for the answers. If you read the scriptures and sincerely pray to the Lord to be guided to the answers to your questions, the Lord will hear and answer your prayers. In the Book of Mormon we read "If ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ. " (2 Nephi 33: 11)
Question your own testimony with an open mind and an open heart and turn to the Lord, and you will be given the answers you are looking for.
As I back up my beliefs and reestablish what I believe and why, I am able to refocus and see more clearly where I am headed. It gives me more confidence and more happiness in general. If you never question your testimony, and never remind yourself why your beliefs are valid and important to you, you risk allowing them to become stagnant and eventually die out.
Questioning your testimony is an important part of the spiritual strengthening/maintenance process, the same way strength training, cardiovascular training, etc are an important part of your physical strenthening/maintenance process.
The only caution I would give you is that when you're questioning your testimony, don't do it because you read a list of reasons the church is "evil" on some website. They say one of the quickest ways to fall out of love with someone is to start listing their faults, and the same is true for anything with an emotional attachment. When you start focusing on the negatives, they start to be all you can see. Make lists for yourself of the reasons the church is true, just like you would make mental lists of all the reasons you love your spouse/significant other. You'll find it's much easier to have a strong testimony when you're focusing on positive things. There is a distinct reason behind this--the true gospel of God will uplift you and make you a better, happier person. The work of the adversary will drag you down and leave you feeling empty. Even when cautioning the members about spiritual dangers, the general authorities don't spend vast amounts of time focusing on the negatives related to those dangers. They ask you instead to seek after virtuous, good things. Those dangers aren't compatible with being virtuous or good, so are therefore naturally avoided.
When questioning your testimony, I strongly encourage you to put down anything that isn't actual doctrine and focus specifically on the scriptures, conference talks, etc. Rather than anyone's opinion on the church. These things are doctrine for a reason. They will fill you spiritually and allow you to see more clearly.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
So go to God ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you.
First of all, are you questioning your testimony (your commitment) or your beliefs? When you discover the difference between this two concepts you'll know the answer.