Many of us have had spiritually defining experiences that shape our testimonies. But as we grow older—and as the world seems to grow more complicated—we can find ourselves questioning things we once said we knew to be true. Is it possible to still have a testimony while navigating questions about the Church or the gospel?
Sheri Dew, the executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, believes the answer to this common question is a resounding yes—especially when our faith is based on a few fundamentals.
On a recent episode of the Magnify podcast, Sheri joined Laurel Day, the president of Deseret Book, for an insightful conversation about seeking truth.
Testimony Fundamentals
We shouldn’t panic if we have faith-related questions. In fact, Sheri believes having questions puts us in great company: “Everybody who has studied the gospel in any kind of depth has questions.”
But while questioning is part of being human and growing spiritually, what we don’t know shouldn’t impact what we do know.
“I have plenty of questions,” she shared. “Some are doctrinal, and the doctrinal questions are largely questions that I just haven’t yet studied enough to understand. I have procedural questions. … And I have a host of personal questions.
“But I wish everyone could understand that those questions aren’t necessarily connected to my testimony. My testimony stands on some fundamentals. And I think everybody’s testimony stands on some fundamentals.”
Many of us have heard of the five-finger testimony, a simple way to remember five basic truths of the gospel: 1) God is our Father in Heaven, 2) Jesus Christ is our Savior, 3) Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, 4) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s true Church, and 5) The Church is led by a living prophet today.
These pillars of truth can stand as a firm foundation, even and especially while we’re seeking answers to our questions. We often know more than we think we do, and these pillars of faith can help carry us through even the most difficult of issues.
Keep Asking, Keep Growing
“Asking good questions is important to building testimony,” Sheri said. “But just because you have unresolved questions doesn’t mean you don’t have a testimony.” Whether you’re wrestling with faith-related questions or just wondering whether you have a testimony, she recommends:
“If you can get a testimony of those [five] things, you’ve got a testimony. So you can quit asking yourself, ‘Is the gospel true? … I sure don’t like what the brethren just announced. Is the gospel true?’ No, put that aside. The gospel is true. Now, give yourself a chance to ask questions, to keep growing. …
“If you’re alive and breathing and thinking, you’ve got questions, I think. Get settled in your testimony, and then start asking more questions. And little by little, some will get answered. For me, many have been answered along the way, and I expect more to be answered. And I imagine that I’ll step across the veil still with some really big questions that won’t be answered until some later time.
“But I’m willing to live with that because I don’t think any other organization has the power that the Church has because of the priesthood keys.”
Hear more from Sheri by listening to the full Magnify episode, available in the player below or on your favorite streaming platform.
Seek and Expect Miracles
Fill your spiritual cup with inspiring speakers, uplifting music, and encouraging conversations—all from a central stage. Participants will receive a beautiful event-themed notebook and pen and have the chance to participate in fun giveaways and a meet and mingle.
Come be inspired to act on President Russell M. Nelson’s invitation to seek and expect miracles—the miracles of joy, peace, faith, and hope that we can find in Christ.
To read more about strengthening your testimony, check out the articles below:
▶ What does it mean to say ‘I know’ vs. ‘I believe’? One author’s insightful, comforting answer
▶ 3 ways we may misunderstand ‘Moroni’s promise’ (and how the truth helps build testimony)
▶ Q&A: Sheri Dew on receiving spiritual witnesses of prophets
