Doubt Your Doubts, Not Your Faith*, Wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matt 14:31)
Some years ago, I was reading about something Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, did. How could he have done that, I wondered? For several days I wrestled with that question. But then one day as I was standing contemplating those things, there came these words into my mind, as plain as a voice: “I told you Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, you know he is a Prophet of God, his standing with me is certain, his standing is not in question, but yours is … so leave it alone, leave it alone.” With that assurance, my concerns vanished and so when President Uchtdorf said years later “Doubt your doubts, not your faith”, his words rang true. Don’t ever doubt assurances given you from God, rather cultivate them and more will come. (* Oct 2013 General Conference, “Come, Join with Us”, Pres Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
Joseph Smith’s standing with God is sure, the Book of Mormon that he translated is the word of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that he organized and gave his life to establish is God’s Church on earth today. And every Prophet that has led that church since Joseph was killed has been called of God and has been led by Him. These things I know from the witness given me from the Holy Ghost and that same witness is available to everyone. (see Moroni 10:3-5, in the Book of Mormon, available at lds.org)
I am reminded of Peter’s experience with Our Savior on the Sea of Galilea: the Apostles were in a ship, the sea was unsettled, and they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. An unbelievable faith came to Peter as he recognized the Lord and he hollered to him above the wind, “Bid me come unto thee on the water”, Jesus simply said, “Come”, and Peter did. But then he took his eyes off of Jesus, saw the waves, became afraid, started to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus did and then said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” What if Peter had doubted his doubts and not doubted his faith? Had he kept his eyes on Jesus he never would have sunk.
Next Saturday and Sunday will be General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We will get to sustain Our New Prophet, Russell M Nelson and hear from him. As you listen to him, his Counselors, the Apostles and other church leaders, your faith will grow and your doubts can be replaced with faith.