“You Can Get Answers,” New Era, May 2017
You Can Get Answers
Youth have sent thousands of questions to Face-to-Face and the New Era, and we’ve noticed that some questions are asked frequently. Church leaders help you find answers in a number of ways, including conference messages. Here are five common questions that Church leaders gave guidance about in this general conference. For full text, go to conference.lds.org.
Photograph taken in Washington, USA
Sometimes I feel my faith fading. How can I stay strong and increase my faith?
Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message focused on ways to strengthen the foundations that help us to have enduring faith and the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
See Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Foundations of Faith.”
How can I help my Young Women or Young Men group be united?
“Your power to do good as a group of God’s daughters [or sons] will depend, to a great degree, on the unity and love that exist among you. This is another gift of peace that comes through the Holy Ghost. …
“Unity is necessary for us to have the Spirit in our class and in our family. But you know from experience, as I do, that such loving unity is hard to maintain. It takes having the Holy Ghost as a companion to open our eyes and temper our feelings.”
See President Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You.”
How can I better resist temptation and follow the Savior?
Many speakers offered counsel about this, including:
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Elder M. Russell Ballard, who talked about how to thwart Satan’s distractions by linking our own goals and plans to Heavenly Father’s plan.
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Elder L. Whitney Clayton and Sister Joy D. Jones, who both spoke about the strength that comes though our daily small and simple acts of devotion and faith.
The world keeps getting worse. What can I do to overcome my fear for the future?
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: “I wouldn’t trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. … I don’t believe God wants His children to be fearful or dwell on the evils of the world.” He taught us how to move forward with courage and trust through perfect love.
See President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear.”
What if I’m afraid to repent and I’m not sure if I can really be forgiven?
Consider these messages from conference:
“Repentance is not a punishment; it is a privilege.”
M. Joseph Brough
“No matter where we are or where we have been, we are not beyond the reach of the Savior.”
Elder Gary B. Sabin
“An invitation to repent is also an invitation to receive the wonderful gift of forgiveness and peace.”
Elder S. Mark Palmer
“I had thought of repentance as something negative, associated only with sin and wrongdoing, but suddenly I saw it in a different light—as something positive that cleared the path to growth and happiness.”
Elder Joaquin E. Costa