How did the Savior treat people who were doubting? Part 2 of 3

The Savior Responded Immediately

Several years ago I received a phone call from a mother whose young single adult son doubted the Church and had stopped attending regularly. At her request, I contacted the young man and arranged to meet with him. He was kind enough to accept the invitation. As our discussion progressed, it was evident that he had become imbalanced in his study habits. He was spending most, if not all, of his time studying material written by those who opposed the Church and very little, if any, of his time studying material produced by the Church, especially the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets. He was so entrenched in learning from literature against the Church that there seemed to be an impenetrable barrier that no amount of reasoning could breach.

I could also see that he had allowed too much time to pass and too much negative and skewed information to gain a strangle-hold on his spirituality. While he saw himself as having become more enlightened and free from the “foolish” notions taught in the Church (this was his perspective), I could see an unfortunate example of one whose testimony was eclipsed by the philosophies and reasoning of men. He reminded me of those who “when they are learned, they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves.” In these cases, as with my young adult friend, “their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.” [1]

I learned from this experience that we cannot let too much time pass before we decide to help someone in doubt. Parents and friends of those who are experiencing doubts must respond as soon as possible, before the clear waters of spiritual reasoning can be clouded with an imbalance of misinformation and sophistry. I am not advocating that we don’t allow people to study differing opinions, even opinions that speak against the Church. This attitude strikes me as a type of “book burning” mentality that is, I believe, not acceptable to the Lord. In our search for truth we must be free to search as far and as wide as is necessary to find the truth God has bestowed on the human family. What I am advocating is that we respond to those experiencing doubts as soon as possible, before the murky mists of darkness dwarf the light of Christ.

Let’s revisit the story of Peter sinking in the sea to see how the Savior responded when His friend was in doubt:

And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?[2]

Did you notice the adjective and the action verb used to describe the Savior’s response to Peter’s cry for help? “Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand.” That is how we should respond to those who experience doubts. We ought to immediately stretch forth our rescuing-hand.

People with doubts tend to wait too long to seek help. “Some might feel embarrassed or unworthy,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “because they have searching questions regarding the gospel.”[3] Others think they will be judged for having such doubts and questions. People who feel unworthy or who want to avoid being judged by others may not, like Peter, cry for help.

Peter physically experienced the “boisterous” wind and engulfing waves. This may have made it easier for him to recognize his need for help. However, the intangible winds and waves that engulf faith and testimony in our day are not so easily recognized. Those who experience doubts may not readily notice the spiritually harmful effect of their doubts.

When we sense that a friend or loved one is experiencing doubts, don’t wait to offer genuine help. When we see the signs of someone doubting (irregular church attendance, sporadic scripture study, sullenness or lack of excitement about the Church, negative, skeptical, or even cynical comments toward the Church or its leaders), our response should be like the Savior’s; we should stretch forth a compassionate helping-hand and do so immediately.

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[1] 2 Nephi 9:28–29.

[2] Matthew 14:29–31.

[3] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Reflection in the Water,” CES Fireside for young adults at BYU, November 1, 2009.