And now a few words to the pure in heart: Even though your hearts have been wounded, “lift up your heads” and “look unto God,” and “he will console you” as you “feast upon his love.” You can do this “if your minds are firm.” Firmness of mind is a heavenly attribute. It may also be described with words such as dependability, reliability, trustworthiness, steadfastness, unwaveringness, soundness, stability, and constancy. The scriptures are clear that the Lord values this divine attribute of firmness.
While serving as a mission president in Santiago, Chile, Brother Ogden spoke with two missionaries, an elder and a sister, who expressed to him their doubts. They were not sure of the things they were teaching others, and they said they were not certain what they should do about it. He told the missionaries that they did know what to do about it: They must do exactly what they taught others to do. They must pray with more vigor than ever; they must search the scriptures diligently; they must fast with this specific purpose; and they must not doubt. It was all right that they were struggling with their testimonies—the scriptures contain a number of examples of those who struggled in the Spirit—but they must not doubt.
Doubt is spiritual poison. Questioning is fine; by asking questions we get answers (though not all answers, just what the Lord, in his wisdom, allows for now). But doubt is the opposite of what we need: faith. There is a powerful scriptural concept here: being firm of mind (Jacob 3:2; Moroni 7:30). Mormon wrote about “doubting nothing.” He said, “Doubt not, but be believing” (Mormon 9:21, 27). And the Lord added, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not” (D&C 6:36). We all have to grow firmer and firmer in the faith, nothing doubting.
“For Ye May, If Your Minds Are Firm, Forever”
And now a few words to the pure in heart: Even though your hearts have been wounded, “lift up your heads” and “look unto God,” and “he will console you” as you “feast upon his love.” You can do this “if your minds are firm.” Firmness of mind is a heavenly attribute. It may also be described with words such as dependability, reliability, trustworthiness, steadfastness, unwaveringness, soundness, stability, and constancy. The scriptures are clear that the Lord values this divine attribute of firmness.
While serving as a mission president in Santiago, Chile, Brother Ogden spoke with two missionaries, an elder and a sister, who expressed to him their doubts. They were not sure of the things they were teaching others, and they said they were not certain what they should do about it. He told the missionaries that they did know what to do about it: They must do exactly what they taught others to do. They must pray with more vigor than ever; they must search the scriptures diligently; they must fast with this specific purpose; and they must not doubt. It was all right that they were struggling with their testimonies—the scriptures contain a number of examples of those who struggled in the Spirit—but they must not doubt.
Doubt is spiritual poison. Questioning is fine; by asking questions we get answers (though not all answers, just what the Lord, in his wisdom, allows for now). But doubt is the opposite of what we need: faith. There is a powerful scriptural concept here: being firm of mind (Jacob 3:2; Moroni 7:30). Mormon wrote about “doubting nothing.” He said, “Doubt not, but be believing” (Mormon 9:21, 27). And the Lord added, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not” (D&C 6:36). We all have to grow firmer and firmer in the faith, nothing doubting.