Asking The Right Questions....

Today I was again reminded of the importance of talking one with another as opposed to using text to communicate. I received a text message from someone, who will remain nameless, asking a simple question, "Why can't anyone go into the temple?"

I quickly sent off a reply, "Anyone can go into the temple, they just need to meet the requirements that have been set by God. Just like anyone can go to heaven as long as they have done what God asks of them."

As I reflected on what had transpired I was struck by a horrific thought, "I had just cheated the one asking the question." Not only was the asker cheated but I was also. If my Redeemer has taught anything from his youth on up it is that simply answering the question is not always the best thing. In His youth, he taught in the temple. He did this primarily by asking questions and then listening to the responses. Probably forming the questions to help guide the conversation so that the participants of the conversation would search within themselves and the written words of the prophets for the answers. Thus were they amazed by His answers.

By simply answering the question I missed the opportunity for both of us to be edified by the spirit. So in a sense I cheated us of the experience that awaited both of us had I taken the time to ask questions of the seeker.

Now back to what I started with, text rather than speaking one with another. I have felt as we move to a world where we communicate primarily by text that we only get half the message. So it has been difficult for me to transition to this medium of conversation. Text is stripped naked of all of all emotion and visual queues or body language. This makes it impossible to tell what someone meant by a comment whether it was said in jest or as an intended insult. Whether some one is angry or disappointed. As a result we have invented short little things like faces or acronyms to convey our intent. Is m reminded of the wisdom of Nephi in his gentle reminder, "neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi, 33:1)

How much better, if I but asked and drew out the answer, guiding the seeker to his own answer using the words of the prophets. The seeker would have likely walked away with a renewed sense of well being and a greater understanding of God's will. When learning things and seeking them out ourselves we hold to he answers in times of trial much more than of the answers are simply given.