For about 20 years Emily Robison Adams felt like she had not been getting answers from God on direct questions. So when God was silent again about whether the Book of Mormon was true, she became worried.

Has the promise of prospering in the land led us to believe that if we keep the commandments, life will be easy?

From the world’s fastest texter (Benjamin Cook, 2006) to the world’s fastest raw onion eater (Trevor Reilly, 2004); from the world’s strongest power-lifter (Lance Davis, 2004, 618.3 pounds) to the world’s fastest balloon animal inflator (KC Williams, 2003 & 2004), there is no doubt that the Church is full of impressive Mormons dedicated to developing the unique talents the Lord has given them. And the diversity of these talents has only added to the strength and notability of our Church and its members, proving that Mormons can be daring, whimsical, athletic, knowledgeable, and faithful.

1. The founder of the program experienced a crisis of faith during his schooling.

In preparation for Easter, this week’s All In podcast is an interview with my dear friend, Latter-day Saint composer and arranger Rob Gardner, whose sacred music oratorio Lamb of God is performed by choirs and orchestras throughout the world each year. Rob sat down with me to discuss what he learned by studying and writing music about the last week of the Savior’s mortal ministry through the eyes of those who walked with Him—those who loved Him personally. In the episode, Rob shares what he felt as he attempted to write a song about Peter’s feeling after the denial and explains what he recently felt about the Savior’s question to Mary at the tomb, “Woman, why weepest thou?” Rob also talks about choosing the right song for the apostle Thomas and why he believes Thomas didn’t really doubt.

When our three oldest boys were little, they did what young kids do best—they explored. Behind our house they made huts in the weeds, dug holes, and corralled bugs. After backyard exploration lost its luster, the wider neighborhood seemed appealing, including the road. The idea of our babies running headlong in front of a car scared us to death. It was time for a fence!

Books, articles, and numerous Internet websites work to undermine faith in Joseph Smith’s first vision, but historically there have been just three main arguments against it. The minister to whom Joseph reported the event responded that there were no such things these days. More than a century later and in a literary style that masked her weakness in following the historical method, Fawn Brodie wrote that Joseph invented the vision years after he said it happened. A generation later, Wesley Walters charged Joseph with inventing revivalism when, Walters claimed, a lack of historical evidence proved that there was none and therefore there was no subsequent vision as a result. By now it has become a foregone conclusion for some that there are no such things as visions, that Joseph failed to mention his experience for years, and that he then gave conflicting accounts that failed to match historical facts. 1 But these three claims assume much more than they prove.

Editor's note: Our bi-weekly Friday column, “Found in the footnotes,” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Not all faith questions need constitute a “faith crisis.” We need not be afraid of our questions, but can journey with them as we seek to address them with honest intent.