When the Storm Hits the Foundation: Finding Truth in the Aftermath

Brothers and sisters, friends, fellow disciples—it feels like the digital airwaves have been thick with heavy questions lately. When major news breaks, especially when it touches on the sacred trust we place in our institutions, it can feel like the very foundation beneath our feet is shaking. It’s natural to feel unsettled, to feel that familiar ache of confusion, and to wonder, "How do I process this while keeping my testimony strong?"

The recent reporting regarding abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has certainly thrown a spotlight on difficult, painful, and complex issues. It’s the kind of topic that demands more than a soundbite response; it demands deep, thoughtful discipleship.

I was listening to a recent discussion where a wonderful convert and therapist, Jennifer Roach, spoke candidly about her experience navigating these very waters—the intersection of faith, trauma, and public scrutiny. Hearing her speak was a powerful reminder that when the world throws scandal at us, our response cannot be reactive; it must be rooted in the Spirit and in the bedrock truths we’ve learned in our studies.

The Spirit vs. The Headlines

What struck me most, and what I hope we can all take away from this, is the difference between sensational reporting and eternal truth. The AP article, while utilizing sealed documents and making inferences, highlighted a process—a system of information that is incomplete, murky, and frankly, terrifying to contemplate. It showed us where human fallibility, where institutional shortcomings, can lead to devastating pain.

But here’s where we, as disciples, must lean in. We must remember that while the human structures—the protocols, the reporting mechanisms, the earthly leadership—are imperfect and constantly need refining, the core gospel of Jesus Christ is immutable. The Atonement is bigger than any scandal.

This isn't a time for easy answers, and that's okay. Sometimes, the most Christlike thing we can do is admit what we don't know, and then commit to studying it with humility. It’s a perfect example of why the process of becoming a disciple is lifelong. We are always learning how to be more Christlike, and that means learning how to process uncomfortable truths without abandoning the covenant path.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: Questioning Assumptions

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by external information, I want to give you a small skill to take with you this week, especially if you are in missionary discussions or preparing for the field. When you hear a shocking claim, don't just react emotionally. Instead, practice pausing and asking: "What is the source of this information, and what is the evidence presented?"

This doesn't mean dismissing pain—we must always validate suffering. But it does mean we must also train our minds to distinguish between an *inference* based on incomplete data and a *divinely revealed truth*. This skill helps us be better investigators of the truth, both in our own lives and when teaching the gospel.

The work requires us to be diligent students of scripture, not just absorbers of headlines. I highly recommend revisiting the foundational principles of discipleship in the LivingBook, perhaps exploring some of the teachings on personal revelation.

We are called to be Internet missionaries, and that means being thoughtful, compassionate, and deeply informed disciples wherever we are. Our testimony is built on the Savior, not on the perfection of any earthly organization.

If this conversation has stirred questions for you, please know you are not alone. We are here to learn together. If you want to dive deeper into these complex topics with others, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let's keep gathering Israel together, one thoughtful discussion at a time.