Assist Them throughout Their Journey

Some people who struggle with questions about their faith resolve their concerns quickly and move on. For many, the struggle takes time. Your love, encouragement, and willingness to journey together can help them find hope.

Continue to live the gospel while you help your friend or loved one on their journey. Your different paths can intertwine and help you stay connected instead of leading you apart. “Our life journeys are individual,” taught Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “but we can come again to God our Father and His Beloved Son through trust in God, each other, and ourselves.”¹ Here are some principles for supporting and encouraging others:

• Be a safe source for discussion. When a friend or family member brings their questions to you, they probably aren’t looking for someone to fix a problem but rather a loved one who is willing to walk beside them on their journey. Be sympathetic. Let them know you will continue to care about them regardless of their concerns and choices.

• Help them seek answers. One way to help may be by sharing the principles discussed in the “Seeking Answers to Your Questions” section of this resource. Help your friend or family member find materials published by the Church on common questions, and be willing to talk about these resources with them. Encourage them to make faithful perspectives on challenging questions a central part of their study. When prompted by the Spirit, remind them of helpful scriptures and encourage them to continue praying.

• Be a Christlike example. One of the best ways to share the gospel is to show Christlike love and to live a life of goodness. As you stay faithful and keep your covenants, you demonstrate the joy of living the gospel to those you help. They may choose not to listen to your counsel or testimony, but they will be influenced by your example of sincere love and faithfulness.

• Build on common ground. You can keep your relationship strong by building on beliefs and interests you have in common. Avoid making their questions the focus of all your interactions. Just because they struggle with some things doesn’t mean they have rejected everything. Continue spending time with them enjoying activities you have shared in the past. In the process, you might discover new things to explore and share together.

• Find ways to do good together. Invite your friend or family member to join you as you act on principles of the gospel that bring you joy. You could ask them to serve others with you, participate in an uplifting activity, or strengthen your community together. You both want to improve the world around you, regardless of their questions of faith.

• Recognize that this may take time. When someone close to us has concerns or questions about their faith, we might hope that a convincing argument or heartfelt testimony will quickly resolve things. Remember that there’s not always a quick solution to spiritual concerns or questions. Be prepared to take a longer journey with them. Give them time and space to grow. Recognize that the way they express their faith may look different to you than it did in the past, and that’s OK.

Key scriptures: Isaiah 35:3–4; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 3:15; Mosiah 18:9; Doctrine and Covenants 11:21