Do "Mormons," Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints think they have all the answers?

​Two years ago, I felt inspired to write a weekly blog about what Mormons believe. I thought it would be a good forum for helping my friends and others see that Mormons may do some things differently, but that we are like everyone else too. Maybe more than teaching others, writing the blog helped me to articulate what I know and believe and as I did that my testimony--my belief system about my religion--grew. But then within the last few months, I discovered that all was not well within my own home or my extended family. That going to church every week, having daily scripture study, weekly Family Home Evening, and personal prayer and scripture study, had not prevented our family from being affected by the very trials I feared. How could I write a weekly blog about Mormon beliefs when I didn't have all the answers anymore? How could I give advice when I wasn't perfect?


Times of trial and sorrow are the very times when I needed to test my beliefs. For a brief moment, I wondered, could this all be a lie? Why would a church profess something that is at conflict with the love I have for a family member? But then I remembered Jesus Christ. I remembered my testimony of the Savior. I remembered the times He's given me comfort and guidance, and I remembered a few very real, personal experiences from which I cannot deny the existence of my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I then turned to the Lord in pleading prayer and dug deeper into the practices that will not prevent trials but will strengthen me through those trials.


This past Sunday I was asked to share my testimony in Relief Society, the women's meeting during church. As I finished my testimony, my faith was stronger. I felt stronger. I realized that writing this weekly blog does not have to be about having all the answers. It is about sharing my beliefs and then my beliefs being strengthened by my sharing.


I do not have all the answers. I do not know the best way to be the parent of a married daughter. I do not know how to be the mom to a missionary. I do not know how to parent a teenage son or daughter and a precocious child. I do not understand why people are attracted to someone of the same gender. I do not understand why Heavenly Father's eternal plan emphasizes marriage between a man and a woman, therefore excluding those who act on same gender attraction. I also can't comprehend how our society has gotten to the point that same sex marriage is acceptable, but I also can't relate to a desire other than what I have. I hate that pornography is too readily available and extremely addictive. I don't know why some children choose to follow the gospel and others don't. But there are many things I do know. I know Christ lives. I know the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness includes coming to earth to gain a body, making choices, and that marriage between a man and a woman is part of God's Plan of Happiness. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a current apostle, said, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Someday I hope to understand all that doesn't make sense to me now. Until then I will continue to pray, study the scriptures, attend church, and serve. And when I'm unsure or waver, I will plead with my Savior and because He is real, because He lives, because of the Atonement, He will strengthen me.