Questions in the Church

A few people close to me have recently come across questions they feel are important, but they hadn't found a good place to discuss them with other people. They felt the desire to discuss it at church, as the questions were mostly doctrinal or doctrine-related, but they felt like there was no forum designed to take their questions. One friend phrased it this way, "What questions should be asked and when?"

Questions at church can be hard to answer in the three hour block... (drawing credit: DSB)

Many of these questions were about the mysteries of God. The Greek word "musterion" (Strong's number 3466) denotes religious secrets not communicated to the uninitiated. This is not truths that are unknowable, but truths that only God can tell us. Hearing something from God is the only way we can know some truths.

Why should I think about the questions I ask?

In my work as an engineer, questions are quite important. The questions I ask and their timing is crucial to the success of my projects. Asking the right question at the right time means that I am solving the true problem at hand, and that I am focusing on adding value to the project. I can ask many questions, but many of them will take me in totally useless directions. Some of them may be valid and well founded in sound science, but if it doesn't add value to my project, I don't ask those questions. 

My father has worked with several Nobel Prize winners in his field (Physics) over the course of his career. He told me that they are all extremely bright and committed to their work above all else. However, those are necessary but not sufficient conditions to winning a Nobel Prize. The distinguishing characteristic was that they asked the right question. These are people whose questions changed the world. Einstein and his imagination asked questions that no one in their right mind would ask, and entire fields of study sprang into existence because of his questions.

In the end, it isn't really our physical appearance that determines our quality of life, our legacy, or our impact on the people and world around us. Our primary and distinguishing characteristic is how we use our time. The way we ask our questions becomes part of our character and changes the course of our life. Our questions and how we answer them in word and deed are the only thing that differentiate us from each other.

Alma the Younger is a great example of getting answers to deep doctrinal questions

Alma the Younger grew up and was quite a rebel, going about destroying the church for many years. This is actually quite similar to his father, as Alma the Elder was a priest for wicked King Noah until Abinadi came and taught him a lesson. Alma the Elder prayed his son an angelic visitor, and after three days of total reset, Alma the Younger had a change of heart. This is where the primary story ends and they pick it up a few weeks later after the sons of Mosiah go on a mission.

Alma the Younger had a son named Corianton. This son seems to have gotten the rebellious gene that his brothers Helaman and Shiblon did not. While Helaman and Shiblon receive praise and commendation from their father for their diligence, Corianton gets an intense doctrinal discourse to resolve some behavioral and doctrinal concerns he has. Of the many lessons to be learned from these chapters, here are a few things I learned about asking questions:

1. Even the prophet can have concerns and deep doctrinal questions 

     If you were called as the prophet, whom would you ask your deep doctrinal questions? We have several stories in the Book of Mormon about prophets who were stumped on very specific questions. Alma the Elder didn't know how to respond to unrepentant wickedness in the Church (Mosiah 26). The Nephite disciples of Christ were concerned about the name of the church in the new dispensation (3 Nephi 27-28). Alma the Younger was not immediately endowed with deep spiritual knowledge when he decided he wanted to follow Christ. He says, "I fasted and prayed many days that I might know of these things for myself" (Alma 5).

2. Answering your own questions can help others with their questions

     Alma probably had many more doctrinal questions, but we have his thoughts about the spirit world and the resurrection because they were key in resolving his son Corianton's concerns. Alma writes:

     "... for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead. Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection until after the coming of Christ. Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection." (Alma 40)

3. Some questions have to be answered by God, and not by other people

     One of the marvelous truths of the Restoration is that God does answer prayers and speak to man. It is certainly a good habit to look to revealed truth on any subject before foraying on to pursue the mysteries of God. Some questions must be answered individually however. While today's culture of global conformity does not always smile on a counter-current individual, the structure of the Church does afford great latitude in social, political, and even spiritual matters. Read the questions for the baptismal worthiness interview here, or the temple recommend questions here (last section). I also copied them onto this post below. These are the questions the Lord has prioritized for us to answer before participating in sacred ordinances. Before focusing on our own questions, I think it is important to have the foundation of answering the Lord's questions. 

Oh, the places you'll go...

      Questions do have a certain power to them. Asking a question points us in a certain direction. There are real consequences to asking questions. Any new employee knows the importance of asking good questions during a job interview. The questions we choose to ask and to pursue answers for change our life. Joseph Smith asked the question, "Which church should I join?" and his answer gave rise to movement of thousands and now millions of people. I hope that I can pursue worthy questions and follow their answers courageously.

PS - Here are some more thoughts, including the baptismal and temple worthiness questions

Ideas of places to discuss deep personal questions in the church:
1. Personal interview with the bishop or stake president
2. Personal interview with quorum or class president.
3. With your spouse in the temple (if married)
4. With home teachers privately (depends on teaching setting)
5. In Sunday School or with Sunday School teacher (more doctrinal questions)
6. With friends and family in an informal setting ("where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I also.")
** Notice the lack of references here - this is my personal opinion like everything else besides direct scriptural citations.

Immanuel Kant and the Categorical Imperative

When we are talking about big or heavy questions, we should have a reason behind asking them. When it gets hard to find the answer or the answer is just hard to accept or implement, we can go back to the reason behind the question. Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative suggested that conclusions should all be capable of becoming universal law. Applying this thought experiment to breadth of many people is interesting; also consider the time sequence. To what ultimate goal does answering this question contribute? Where will I go asking this question all the time?      There is a time and a place for idle questions. Why do they call them apartments when they are so close together? Why do you drive in a parkway and park in a driveway? How come there aren't B batteries (source)? Before we spend inordinate amounts of time, money, and resources in the question, we should think about where the answer is likely to take us.

Temple Worthiness Questions from True to the Faith (here)

Before we can go to the temple, we must be active, worthy members of the Church for at least one year. Men must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. We must be interviewed by the branch president or bishop. If he finds us worthy, he will give us a temple recommend. If we are not worthy, he will counsel with us and help us set goals to become worthy to go to the temple. 

After we receive a recommend from our bishop or branch president, we must be interviewed by the stake president or the mission president. We are asked questions like the following in interviews for a temple recommend:

1. 1. Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost? Do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel?
2. 2. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator? Do you recognize him as the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
3. 3. Do you live the law of chastity?
4. 4. Are you a full-tithe payer?
5. 5. Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
6. 6. Are you honest in your dealings with others?
7. 7. Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and priesthood meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

When you ask for a temple recommend, you should remember that entering the temple is a sacred privilege. It is a serious act, not something to be taken lightly.

Baptismal Interview Questions From Preach My Gospel (here):

1. 1. Do you believe that God is our Eternal Father? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?
2. 2. Do you believe the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? Do you believe that [current Church President] is a prophet of God? What does this mean to you?
3. 3. What does it mean to you to repent? Do you feel that you have repented of your past transgressions?
4. 4. Have you ever committed a serious crime? If so, are you now on probation or parole? Have you ever participated in an abortion? a homosexual relationship?
5. 5. You have been taught that membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes living gospel standards. What do you understand of the following standards? Are you willing to obey them?
   1. a. The law of chastity, which prohibits any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a legal marriage between a man and a woman.
   2. b. The law of tithing.
   3. c. The Word of Wisdom.
   4. d. The Sabbath day, including partaking of the sacrament weekly and rendering service to fellow members.
6. 6. When you are baptized, you covenant with God that you are willing to take upon yourself the name of Christ and keep His commandments throughout your life. Are you ready to make this covenant and strive to be faithful to it?