As your faith in God and your testimony of his church are maturing, questions and doubts will inevitably arise. And you may feel alone with your doubts.
When you were a young girl (or a boy might i add), did your legs ever ache as you lay in bed at night? During rapid growth, "growing pains" are natural. Your spirit can sometimes experience growing pains, too. And like the pains in your legs, these spiritual growing pains are not a cause for alarm. Quite the opposite--they show that your spirit is in a period of rapid growth.
But sometimes, because you no longer have the simple, childlike faith you once had, you may fear that you are losing your testimony. You may long for the time when you felt surer of God's reality. As a child you may have confidently said, "I know the church is true." Right now, you may not always feel quite so sure--at least not in the same way you once did.
...This may feel scary at first. But you can trust that One who has a complete picture and sees no darkness at all will never forsake you. And as you grow, your own understanding will become more and more complete, more "perfect" in the scriptural sense.
When you have questions and doubts, don't fear them. But do entertain them with an attitude of faith. You may want to discuss your questions with a bishop or someone else you respect. They keep feeding your faith through prayer, searching the scriptures, and participating in the Church. Some of your answers will come soon, some much later. Be patient with your own spiritual growth, and you will find that in the Lord's own words, "[She] that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day" (D&C 50:24).
It may take extra effort to stay close to the Church during your young adult years. But by doing so, you will find that you have much to give--and much to gain.
Where Do I Go From Here?
Irene Ericksen & Jan Pinborough
page 133-135
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