Can we know truth?

I have been thinking about a comment my husband made a few days ago.  He expressed that he was amazed that so many well educated people seem to believe whatever they see posted online. All I could do was agree,  but since then, I have been wondering about what he said.  I feel that many people today may not have the foundational principles to enable them to make wise decisions.  In our world truth is viewed as  something which is "unknowable" and "relative". Often the longing for truth is quelled by telling ourselves that, after all, everyone has the  right to their own "truth". This sounds nice, but down deep it doesn't make sense.

How Can I Still Be a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints When I Don't Have All the Answers?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-03-0010-joseph-smith-and-the-beginnings-of-polygamy?category=church-history-topics&lang=eng

I know that there are people who think that if I have any unanswered questions, then I should leave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To me that makes as much sense as quitting using computers, because I don't know everything about them. Actually, at my age, I'm grateful that I can use a computer at all. 

But, don't unanswered questions bother me? No. I'm very used to not  knowing everything. Let's face it, only teenagers know everything. If something is of value to me and could help me in my life, then I continue to study and learn about it. I've had to accept that there are many things that I simply don't have the background to understand - yet. I also know that learning must be earned through many long hours of effort. Since my time is limited, I concede that many things simply aren't worth my time and energy to study, and many things are not known at this time. 

Still some people ask how I can remain a member of the Church when they claim that Joseph Smith did some terrible thing. In today's world where there are so many attention seekers shouting "foul play", we must be very careful to not just react and make a judgment based solely on hearsay. Through my research, I have seen how many "claims" can be understood when they are placed in their proper historical context. (see my polygamy articles)  As thinking people, instead of just mindlessly reacting, we need to do our own in depth research before we make our decision on things we hear.

Should Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ask Questions?

Of course!  Questioning is how we learn. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in these latter days because a young man questioned the traditional Christian teachings. Joseph Smith prayed and asked God what church was right? Which church should I join?

But many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are very concerned that they are showing a lack of faith if they question their leaders. Though we are warned to follow our leaders to help us be safe in these perilous times, that does not mean that we are to blindly follow them like unthinking robots.  We each have a responsibility to carefully study the things our leaders say, then we must pray to know what they are saying is right.  It is only after own own effort that we can gain our own testimony, our own witness from God, of the truth of what our leaders are saying.  It is only when we act on what we have learned to be right,  that we will grow and progress.

Some members can feel OK about asking for a confirmation that what leaders are saying is right, but feel that they are doing something wrong if they question Church doctrine.  What confuses members and is causing their concern is that there are seeing two different things. One is the honest questioning of a person who is looking for answers. The other is people who are looking merely for a quick way to discount the Gospel teachings and live a less demanding life.

Being Helped to Serve as a Church Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

It has been a busy couple of months and I'll try to write more often now that my life is starting to settle down a little.

I am now a Church Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a different sort of mission. I don't go out in the world and preach the Gospel. What I do is answer the feedback questions on the lds.org website.