Questioning vs. Doubting

[Tough Grits]

Not all questions are created equal.

Remember, we will also be judged on the intent of our hearts, not just our thoughts, words, or actions.

What was the intent of the question? To discover deeper meaning, to clarify confusion?

Some questions are not a matter of discovery or clarification.

Some questions are meant to place doubts in the hearts of others.

Some questions are rhetorical.

Some questions are asked, not to discover deeper meaning or to clarify confusion, but to justify a person's doubts and challenge others to defy the questioning. Hard hearts don't want answers, nor can they receive them.

When I say that I don't question, that doesn't mean that I don't ponder, pray, and inquire of God. That is the best questioning. The one that involves going to our Father in Heaven for the answer. When I have questions, I also go to my scriptures, my manuals, Church magazines, the Church website, and my Spiritual journals. I search for my answers. When I find them, the answers become so much more profound and memorable, because I diligently sought for the truth.

When we were instructed to wear only one pair of earrings (women), I briefly wondered why it mattered. However, I wondered it to myself, and just in passing. I knew that it was a test of faith, a Spiritual challenge. After pondering the matter, I knew I wasn't going to wear earrings in my other five holes any more.

When asked why we don't drink coffee or tea, my simple answer is: because we have been told not to. Nothing complicated or scientific.

When asked why women don't wear more than one pair of earrings, my simple answer is: because we were asked not to. Nothing complicated or scientific.

Maybe if I can master obedience in the small things, then I won't stumble when it comes to bigger, more important counsel. ~TG

[Dravin]

This brings to mind this article: Any Questions? - New Era May 2012 - new-era

[Tough Grits]

Originally Posted by Dravin

This brings to mind this article: Any Questions? - New Era May 2012 - new-era

Thank you! Awesome article.

"Because we choose to press forward in faith even though we don’t have the answer to every question, some people may accuse us of exercising 'blind obedience' or of being 'anti-intellectual.'" David E. Edwards, "Any Questions", New Era, May 2012.

This quote is perfect. I have known people who looked down their noses at me (or LDS in general) for holding true. They questioned (not just asked questions), and they sat back supposing themselves more intellectual and more spiritual for not being "blind sheep".

Sheep aren't blind. Sheep have eyes that see. They see their shepherd. They see who they are following.

True blindness comes when enveloped in the mist of darkness.

The difference between the faithful and the unfaithful when surrounded by the mist of darkness?

The faithful don't need eyes to see when they are holding on to the iron rod (the word of God). All they need is a strong grip.

Those who have let go of the iron rod while the mist surrounded them are the ones who are not only blind, but lost.

Sadly, some of the very ones who once supposed themselves more intellectual and spiritual for questioning (not just asking questions) are no longer of this fold...or any fold.

Makes me think of the poem about sheep that stray:

Twas a sheep not a lamb that strayed away
In the parable Jesus told,
A grown-up sheep that strayed away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
And why for the sheep should we seek
And earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger when sheep go wrong;
They lead the lambs astray.
Lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Wherever the sheep may stray.
When sheep go wrong, it won't take long
Til the lambs are as wrong as they.
And so with the sheep we earnestly plead
For the sake of the lambs today,
For when sheep are lost, what a terrible cost
The lambs will have to pay!


~C. C. Miller

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My husband says that all of us have our eyes open while in the mist of darkness. The faithful just learn to rely on the iron rod rather than their mortal eyes.

He says the unfaithful have their eyes open too. He says, "They have their eyes wide open walking toward the great and spacious building."

Not sure how that fits...but I thought it was interesting. I will have to ponder what he said. ~TG

[Eowyn]

Awesome post, TG. Thanks!

[Mamas_Girl]

Originally Posted by Tough Grits

When we were instructed to wear only one pair of earrings (women), I briefly wondered why it mattered.

I did not know that, but then I'm too chicken to even get my ears pierced once.

Thanks for the post!

[Anddenex]

Originally Posted by Tough Grits

When I say that I don't question, that doesn't mean that I don't ponder, pray, and inquire of God. That is the best questioning. The one that involves going to our Father in Heaven for the answer. When I have questions, I also go to my scriptures, my manuals, Church magazines, the Church website, and my Spiritual journals. I search for my answers. When I find them, the answers become so much more profound and memorable, because I diligently sought for the truth.

This is the difference between a doubter and one who proceeds with faith. One question is to heighten our knowledge and our understanding, the flip side question is to provide excuses for reasons for our simple rebellions.

[Backroads]

Originally Posted by Tough Grits

When I say that I don't question, that doesn't mean that I don't ponder, pray, and inquire of God. That is the best questioning. The one that involves going to our Father in Heaven for the answer.

I love this.

I've had times in my life where I've questioned if the Church were true and if God even existed.

During these times my first action was always prayer--yes, even for the "Heavenly Father, do you really exist?" question.

[Tough Grits]

Originally Posted by Anddenex

This is the difference between a doubter and one who proceeds with faith. One question is to heighten our knowledge and our understanding, the flip side question is to provide excuses for reasons for our simple rebellions.

[emphasis added by TG]

THANK YOU! I was trying to find a way to word what I was thinking!

...questioning to justify our rebellion. I like that. That is what I was looking for! Thank you!

I have SO much to post...much has been coming to me today. But I have to travel an hour to attend the Saturday evening session of stake conference. WOO HOO!

The Saturday session is always best!

I am sure I will come home with even more stuff to post!!