“I Have a Question: What Is an Answer?,” Liahona, Feb. 2026, United States and Canada Section.
I Have a Question: What Is an Answer?
Here are six components that can help us recognize (and understand) true answers.
Throughout scripture, the Savior repeatedly invites His disciples to search, inquire, seek, and knock—to ask questions (see Matthew 7:7). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek answers about many things, such as guidance for personal decisions, insight into persistent challenges, and peace about difficult topics. Seeking truth from the Lord is an essential part of finding such answers.
In my work as a historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I meet often with fellow Saints who seek to understand various aspects of our history, leading me to ponder: What is an answer? How do we know what it looks or feels like when we find it? In the scriptures, some of the ways we receive answers are described as being like warmth, life, and light. As we continue to learn, this light grows brighter and brighter (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:24).
In practical terms, complete answers often call for multiple connected components. Sometimes, we may feel like we have not received an answer to a question because we have not yet connected all the parts. Here are six connected components that can strengthen our efforts:
1. Discipleship
For those who seek to center their lives on Jesus Christ, every topic provides an opportunity to teach and learn about Him. We seek for things Jesus taught about the topic, how He exemplified relevant principles, and how He ministers in power, mercy, and peace to those who seek Him today. Seeking answers requires our heart, might, mind, and strength. We study, pray, and serve as we choose to trust God, exercise faith, and hold fast to what we know.
2. Personal Background
It is important to acknowledge that questions matter to us individually. Sometimes when we have a question, we may begin by feeling passionate, distrustful, or unprepared. Our perspectives and expectations can be shaped by our personal characteristics, attributes, and experiences. Other things like where we live and the media we consume can also have an impact. Be patient with yourself as you are learning. Developing patience and faith typically requires time.
3. The Holy Ghost
Answers from heaven come through the Holy Ghost. President Dallin H. Oaks taught that “our ultimate reliance must be on faith in the witness we have received from the Holy Ghost.” Part of studying any topic always involves seeking to better understand, recognize, and rely on this essential gift. We can look for the fruits of the Spirit in our hearts, minds, and actions. We can learn how the Spirit works within us: as “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12), “line upon line” (2 Nephi 28:30), and according to our understanding and culture.
4. Information
Very often, we require additional information. We must learn to distinguish facts from interpretations; to examine evidence; to perceive and account for bias; and to look for sources of information that are accurate, reliable, and comprehensive. We must trace information to specific sources and evaluate them. We should become familiar with Church resources that present reliable information about the history of the Church and provide important context and perspective to modern questions.
5. Elimination of Errors
In our information age, errors are frequently mingled with facts, and we may struggle to discern truth. Often, errors originate in our assumptions and cultural expectations, or they can be imposed on topics by oversimplification or by rigidly enforcing either-or binary positions. Some errors are deliberately created by those who seek to deceive, misinform, or cause contention. Though they sometimes appear harmless or humorous, errors impede our thinking and slow our spiritual growth. The Savior modeled an effective way to identify and correct errors. When presented with a complicated question about marriage in the next life, He responded simply, “Ye do err,” pointed them to truths taught in scripture, and testified of the power of God (see Matthew 22:29–32). We can learn to do the same.
6. Thinking Skills
Surrounded as we are by information that mingles good and bad, truth and lies, we must develop the skills to evaluate information. Discernment is both a skill we can improve and a gift of the Spirit. As we learn about the nature of the past, how evidence works, and the dealings of God, we are better able to see things in perspective and seek the whole truth. President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) taught that “to discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish.” It is a “supernal gift” that “allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible.” By combining inspiration with intelligence, we can find and follow truth.
A Pattern to Follow the Savior’s Counsel
As we ask questions about difficult topics, we can connect all the components of a complete answer. Each asker begins from a different starting point. Some may have heard information that is incomplete, taken out of context, or erroneous. Others may know a lot of information but not know how to reconcile it. Still others may never have heard of a topic before and feel surprised or ashamed for not knowing about it. The best answers are adapted to each asker to help engage all components of a complete answer. Looking for complete answers becomes a pattern for learning that follows the Savior’s counsel to ask, seek, knock, and draw closer to Him.