We probably first began to ask questions about the world around us when we were in Primary. Most kids wonder about why things happen as they do, usually followed by a chain of never ending follow-up questions. Children are very curious about their environment, anything that involves their senses and about the world they live in. The hardest question to answer is when they begin to ask, “Why?”
Parents play a vital role, particularly mothers who spend more time nourishing and teaching their kids at home, in responding to the child’s sincere, honest and yet out-of-this world questions. (Fathers should also be ready to answer whenever their children raise a question.)
Joseph Smith, at the age of 14, went to the grove to ask God in faith, nothing wavering…
LINE UPON LINE, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT
Since learning is “line upon line, precept upon precept”, our minds tend to continue to ask more questions and search for answers and the meaning of our life or our existence. Our questions take on a new level as we become teenagers and even into our adult stage in life.
We all have questions and, of course, we all want answers, like Joseph Smith, who asked which of the churches he investigated was true and which of them should he join. His inquiry led him to search the scriptures written in James 1: 5-6.
“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.”
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”
I would encourage the youth to put the promise in James 1:5 to the test—even if they have done so in the past, but especially if they never have. Seek a renewed spiritual witness about Joseph Smith and the restored gospel, then share your experiences with us.”. — Jeffrey R. Holland
ASK OF GOD, ASK IN FAITH
This is the 2017 Mutual Theme, encouraging all of us, and the youth in particular, to “Ask of God” and “Ask in Faith”. When we have questions of the soul, questions about spiritual matters or questions about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we should search the scriptures and ask God in faith, nothing wavering. We can go directly to the source of truth and light.
Nowadays, anyone can have their questions answered by the power of Google, at a touch of our own fingertips. However gaining a sure testimony will not be like that.
M. Russell Ballard has said, “And how do you get such a testimony? Well, there’s no new technology for that, nor will there ever be. You cannot do a Google search to gain a testimony. You can’t text message faith.”
He added, “You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn’t been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and service. That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been.”
May we find answers to our questions as we continue to search the scriptures, ponder the message it contains and pray to the Father, through the name of Jesus Christ. Remember to always ask God in faith, nothing wavering. His promise is that He will listen to every sincere prayer, and give us answers in His own due time. President Henry B. Eyring taught, “James 1:5 seems to me an ideal theme both for the youth in 2017 … Today there are so many ways to find information—some of it true, some of it partially true, and some of completely false. But wisdom, true wisdom, comes from God, and the way to find it hasn’t changed since the day James wrote his epistle or the day Joseph Smith read it.”
Furthermore, on March 4, 2017, there will be a Face to Face event with President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Palmyra, New York. They will help the youth of the world find answers to some of their questions.
