Questions People Actually Ask

Real questions shared with us by real members.
We helped them by providing thoughtful, verified responses.

Faith & Worthiness

I struggle to feel worthy of blessings. How do I accept them without guilt?
Worthiness doesn't mean perfection. Elder Uchtdorf taught that God's grace is sufficient for the humble. The Savior's Atonement covers our shortcomings when we sincerely try — accepting blessings is an act of faith in His mercy.
Does God take mental health into account during final judgement?
Church teachings affirm that God judges perfectly and mercifully. He alone understands every factor — including mental health, trauma, and circumstances beyond our control. The Atonement accounts for all things that impair our agency.
How do I know if I've truly been forgiven?
President Packer taught that the very fact you feel concern may be evidence the Spirit is working in your life. Forgiveness often comes as peace — a quiet assurance. Mosiah 4:3 describes those who received a remission of sins and were "filled with joy."

Loss & Grief

Is there repentance after death?
Doctrine and Covenants 138 describes the Savior's visit to the spirit world, where the gospel is preached to those who did not have the opportunity in mortality. The spirit world is a place of learning, and temple ordinances extend those blessings to the dead.
Can a single parent be sealed to their child?
Yes. Sealing policies accommodate a range of family situations, and the Lord's plan ensures that no righteous desire for eternal family bonds will go unfulfilled. Handbook guidance addresses specific circumstances.
What happens to babies who die before being blessed?
Little children who die before the age of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom through Christ's Atonement (see D&C 137:10, Moroni 8:12). They need no baptism or other ordinance — they are innocent and redeemed.

Trials

Does God actually cause the trial, or just allow it?
Elder Bednar has taught that some adversity is "consecrated for our gain" while other suffering results from living in a fallen world. Scripture and modern prophets distinguish between trials God sends for growth and those He permits. In all cases, He promises to be with us.
Scriptural examples of finding comfort in sorrow
The Psalmist's declaration "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23), Alma's plea in prison answered by divine assurance (Alma 36), and the Savior's own invitation to "come unto me, all ye that labour" (Matthew 11:28) — each shows God meets us in our grief.
How do I keep faith when prayers go unanswered for years?
Elder Holland has spoken powerfully about holding on: "Don't you quit. You keep walking." The scriptures teach that God's timing is not our own (Isaiah 55:8–9), and that patient endurance itself develops the faith we seek.

Family

How can parents show love and support to a child that has left the church?
Church leaders consistently counsel unconditional love. Elder Christofferson said the role of parents is to love without condition while maintaining personal standards. The parable of the prodigal son teaches that the father never stopped watching for his child's return.
Temple covenants and wayward children — are they still covered?
Prophets from Brigham Young to President Nelson have taught that the sealing power reaches far. Orson F. Whitney recorded a teaching that faithful parents who have been sealed to their children have a claim upon them, and the Lord will use every righteous influence to bring them back.
My spouse doesn't believe anymore. What does the gospel say about mixed-faith marriages?
The Church teaches that marriage covenants are sacred and that love, patience, and respect should be the foundation of every marriage. Leaders have counseled couples in mixed-faith situations to focus on shared values and trust that the Savior's grace covers difficult family circumstances.

Deep Doctrine

Is there forgiveness for murder?
Doctrine and Covenants 42:18 teaches that murder is a serious sin. The scriptures distinguish between "shedding innocent blood" and other forms of taking life. While the path to forgiveness is more constrained, the Atonement's reach is vast — and only God fully judges such matters.
What is the Holy Spirit of Promise?
The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost acting in His role as the ratifier of righteous acts and covenants. As taught in D&C 132:7, all covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to have efficacy in the eternities.
Why would any spirits follow Satan if they were in God's presence?
Agency has always been central to God's plan. Satan's proposal appealed to those who feared failure or preferred guaranteed outcomes over growth through risk. Moses 4:1–4 and Abraham 3:27–28 describe this premortal conflict over the principle of agency.
Did His atonement and resurrection cover all worlds?
Doctrine and Covenants 76:24 teaches that "the worlds are and were created" by the Son, and "the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Moses 1:33 speaks of "worlds without number." The scope of Christ's Atonement appears to extend to all of God's creations.

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