The internet has become a fantastic resource for discovering and researching important gospel principles and topics. On the other hand, it can also lead to questionable material that claims to reveal hidden truths about the church, its leaders, and its history. In the October 2012 General Conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lamented about this unfortunate situation:
Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered this wise counsel to those who have been exposed to this type of material:
Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith. (General Conference April 2013)
At the end of his comments, he shared his reassurance and a powerful testimony of the work and its divinity:
I declare some things I now know. I know that God is at all times and in all ways and in all circumstances our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. I know Jesus was His only perfect child, whose life was given lovingly by the will of both the Father and the Son for the redemption of all the rest of us who are not perfect. I know He rose from that death to live again, and because He did, you and I will also. I know that Joseph Smith, who acknowledged that he wasn’t perfect, was nevertheless the chosen instrument in God’s hand to restore the everlasting gospel to the earth. I also know that in doing so—particularly through translating the Book of Mormon—he has taught me more of God’s love, of Christ’s divinity, and of priesthood power than any other prophet of whom I have ever read, known, or heard in a lifetime of seeking. I know that President Thomas S. Monson, who moves devotedly and buoyantly toward the 50th anniversary of his ordination as an Apostle, is the rightful successor to that prophetic mantle today. We have seen that mantle upon him again in this conference. I know that 14 other men whom you sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators sustain him with their hands, their hearts, and their own apostolic keys.
These things I declare to you with the conviction Peter called the “more sure word of prophecy.” What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine. I know this work is God’s very truth, and I know that only at our peril would we allow doubt or devils to sway us from its path. Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.
I am familiar with just about every claim, every argument, every alleged historical fact that has been proposed to try to prove that Joseph Smith was a fake and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a man-made false religion. I still believe and hold fast to my testimony to the calling of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, to the restoration of eternal gospel truths, and to the Book of Mormon as a divine translation of ancient records.
To those who have questions and doubts, I reassure you that there are answers and the answers make sense. Think about the thousands upon thousands of intelligent and highly educated individuals in science, education, law, and other professional fields who exercise faith as members of the church. If faith requires ignorance then you wouldn't find those kind of people in the church, and yet they are there.
And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. (Alma 32:21)
I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. (Ether 12:6)
Pray, read the scriptures, be humble, and believe.
But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. (D&C 11:30)
