Answers and Questions
Six parts of an answer
Since 2020, I have spent a significant amount of my professional time with people who seek answers to questions about Church history. I have participated in more than 300 Q&A events around the world with young adults, missionaries, or other Church members who ask any question (see this report of events in Australia and New Zealand).
I also designed a 24-session training course to prepare others to answer all of the common questions about Church history and have delivered training to more than 1,300 members, leaders, and Church education personnel. Most of the training materials are hosted in private online spaces (such as the S&I Help Center, which is accessible to called and paid seminary and institute teachers), but I have also prepared and assisted with a variety of published materials that I compile here:
About the Model
The training resources are built on a 6-part model for finding complete answers that integrates reliable sources, thinking skills, and personal spirituality (see image above).
- An introduction to the six parts of a complete answer (Liahona)
- Principles for Seeking Answers to Your Questions (Gospel Library)
- The model applied to questions about Church Finances (BYU Studies)
Use the model to help others find answers to their questions.
- Principles for Helping Others with Their Questions (Gospel Library)
- Interview about how to help others find peace (Leading Saints)
- Roundtable discussion about helping others (see the 2025 symposium gallery)
About Individual Parts
On Reliable Sources of Information
- How to Consult Reliable Sources (Gospel Library)
- Short essays about more than 200 Church History Topics (Gospel Library)
- Comprehensive Gospel Topics Essays on a dozen topics considered difficult (Gospel Library)
- Conversational responses to common Church and Gospel Questions (Gospel Library, see navigation in image above)
- Tutorial on how to search for reliable sources (BYU MCOM 320)
On Thinking Skills
- How to Work to Understand the Past (Gospel Library)
- An explanation of five important concepts (Liahona)
- Defines criteria for evaluating information (Liahona)
- How to read closely (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Applying thinking skills to the Book of Mormon Witnesses (FAIR Conference)
On Errors to Eliminate
- How to expand binaries (Religious Educator)
- An explanation of common tactics of either/or, manipulated evidence, or lack of evidence (Liahona)
- Descriptions of common unhelpful expectations of prophets (Ensign College Devotional)
On the Holy Ghost
- How to Recognize that Revelation is a Process (Gospel Library)
- On learning the fruits of the Spirit, I have found particular clarity in an address by Dallin H. Oaks on “Revelation.”
- On learning the workings of the Spirit, I have found the following particularly helpful: Dallin H. Oaks on God’s own time and way, David A. Bednar on “The Spirit of Revelation.”
- On learning the bounds of the Spirit, I have benefitted from Dale G. Renlund on a “Framework for Revelation.”
On Discipleship
- How to Center your Life on Jesus Christ (Gospel Library)
- The Savior’s centrality to the process of seeking answers has been taught clearly by Russell M. Nelson (“The Answer is Always Jesus Christ“) and Dallin H. Oaks (“Coming Closer to Jesus Christ“).
- How to see the Savior in Church History (Liahona)
- Interview about what Joseph Smith taught about Jesus Christ (From the Desk)
On Personal Background
- How to Be Patient with Yourself and Others (Gospel Library)
