are the little "why's" important?

When Habakkuk learned that the Lord was raising up the Chaldeans to overtake Israel, he’s like, “Seriously? Have you seen these guys? They’re way worse than us!”

Why is it that the Lord would do this? How can this be? Why would the Lord use one wicked people to punish another? Sheesh! There's a lot that God does that doesn't make immediate sense to us.

I think when we wonder about the mechanisms through which God chooses to accomplish his will, it’s helpful to reflect on Jacob 4:8—

“Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.”

How many things do we trouble ourselves over, which have no relevance to our salvation, but can become huge stumbling blocks if we focus on them to distraction?

There are many things that we don’t understand about life. We may have valid questions about the history of the earth, the church, or a strange story in the scriptures that just doesn't make sense to us. In these cases, I think it’s important to consider the following:

1.       Is this crucial to my salvation, or just trivia?

2.       Will knowing/understanding this increase my understanding of God’s plan for me?

3.       Will knowing/understanding this make me a better person?

If the answer is “yes,” then seek further study! Pray, read up on what the scriptures and modern revelation have to say. The Lord wants you to have increased knowledge in this life. In D&C 130:18-19, he says—

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”

If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” then be willing to let it go. It’s okay to wonder, but don’t fixate. Remember, we were meant to live by faith. 

Whatever you do, don’t let go of the things you do know to be true, over a few things you don’t have the answer for right now.

Christ promises to reveal all when he comes:

“Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—

 Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—

 Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.” D&C 101:32-34