Resources for Finding Answers to Questions about the Church

In a world full of various opinions and deception, it can be difficult to know how and where to find truth. As we search for answers with the Spirit’s help, our questions can lead us to receive our own personal revelation and confirmations of truth.

We know that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). You can search beyond the confusion of the world to find the peace that comes with gospel truths. And the Holy Ghost can confirm truth to you (see Moroni 10:5) through what you feel in your mind and in your heart (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3).

President Russell M. Nelson lovingly taught us: “Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. Study with the desire to believe. … Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery.”¹

What are some of those faithful sources we can use to find answers to our questions? First and foremost, we have the words of the Lord as found in the scriptures. We also have the words of prophets and apostles and other Church leaders in general conference talks, Church magazine articles, and devotionals. And you might also consider looking for answers to your questions in the Church’s Gospel Topics Essays or the Church’s new narrative history, Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days.

Here’s a list of resources to check out if you have questions about any of the following topics.

Church History

• Quentin L. Cook, “Church History: A Source of Strength and Inspiration,” Liahona, July 2020, 12–19.
• Dale G. Renlund and Ruth L. Renlund, “Doubt Not, but Be Believing” (worldwide devotional for young adults, Jan. 13, 2019), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• Khumbulani D. Mdletshe, “How Studying Church History Strengthens My Faith,” Liahona, Jan. 2021, 30–31.
• Heather Bergeson, “Four Tools for Answering Questions,” New Era, Aug. 2020, 18–19.
• Jessica Nelson, “4 Truths I’ve Learned from Studying Joseph Smith as a Church Historian” (digital-only article), Liahona, Feb. 2020, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• Keith A. Erekson, “Understanding Church History by Study and Faith,” Liahona, Feb. 2017, 22–25.

Plural Marriage

• Marcus B. Nash, “The New and Everlasting Covenant,” Ensign, Dec. 2015, 40–47.
• Gospel Topics Essays, “Plural Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays.
• “Why was it necessary for Joseph Smith and others to practice polygamy?,” in Face to Face with Elder Quentin L. Cook (worldwide young adult broadcast, Sept. 9, 2018), facetoface.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• “Polygamy: Latter-day Saints and the Practice of Plural Marriage,” newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Race and the Priesthood

• Russell M. Nelson, “Remarks at Worldwide Priesthood Celebration” (address given at the “Be One” celebration, June 1, 2018), newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• Dallin H. Oaks, “Remarks at Worldwide Priesthood Celebration” (address given at the “Be One” celebration, June 1, 2018), newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• Gospel Topics Essays, “Race and the Priesthood,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays.
• “Race and the Church: All Are Alike unto God,” Feb. 29, 2012, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Women and the Priesthood

• “Women and Priesthood Power,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/women-and-priesthood-power.
• Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” Liahona, Nov. 2015, 95–98.
• Russell M. Nelson and Jean B. Bingham, “The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood Is Relevant to Women” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media.
• M. Russell Ballard, “Men and Women and Priesthood Power,” Liahona, Sept. 2014, 32–37.
• Sharon Eubank, “Being a Woman: An Eternal Perspective,” Liahona, Aug. 2016, 26–31.
• Linda K. Burton, “Priesthood: A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children” (Brigham Young University Women’s Conference, May 3, 2013), womensconference.byu.edu.
• Julie B. Beck, “Why We Are Organized into Quorums and Relief Societies” (Brigham Young University devotional, Jan. 17, 2012), 1–10, speeches.byu.edu.
• Barbara Morgan Gardner, “Connecting Daughters of God with His Priesthood Power,” Liahona, Mar. 2019, 34–41.

First Vision Accounts

• Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith,” Liahona, Nov. 2002, 78–81.
• Richard J. Maynes, “The First Vision: Key to Truth,” Liahona, June 2017, 26–31.
• Gospel Topics Essays, “First Vision Accounts,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays.
• “Why are there various accounts of the First Vision?,” in “Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families (2020), 6.
• “Joseph Smith’s Accounts of the First Vision,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/first-vision-accounts.

Becoming Like God

• Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Liahona, May 2008, 7–10.
• Russell M. Nelson, “Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 86–88.
• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” Liahona, Nov. 2017, 40–42.
• Tad R. Callister, “Our Identity and Our Destiny” (Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 14, 2012), 1–13, speeches.byu.edu.
• Gospel Topics Essays, “Becoming Like God,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays.
• “God the Eternal Father,” in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 36–44.
• “Becoming Like God,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/si/questions/becoming-like-god.

Tithing

• “Tithes and Offerings,” in Gospel Principles (2011), 184–88.
• “How Are Tithing Funds Used?,” in Tithing and Fast Offerings (booklet, 2007), 10, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• “Tithing and Charitable Donations,” newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.