scottyg

Then we must all educate them as best we can. Pres Oaks was referring to the slogan/statement "black lives matter". People need to know that the phrase and the BLM movement are two different things. BLM only cares about self-aggrandizement through destruction...they don't give a rat's patootie about actual black lives...or anyone's life for that matter. If they did, they would be protesting the countless black on black deaths we see in Chicago every day.

Then we must all educate them as best we can. Pres Oaks was referring to the slogan/statement "black lives matter". People need to know that the phrase and the BLM movement are two different things. BLM only cares about self-aggrandizement through destruction...they don't give a rat's patootie about actual black lives...or anyone's life for that matter. If they did, they would be protesting the countless black on black deaths we see in Chicago every day.

The best advice or counsel I can give is to wait upon the Lord. Although He didn't answer Pres. Oaks' inquiries at the time, the answer did eventually come in the form of the ban being lifted. As he also said in that talk "As part of my prayerful study, I learned that, in general, the Lord rarely gives reasons for the commandments and directions He gives to His servants." Although a reason may not be given, He never leads those who truly desire to come unto Him astray...whatever that path might be. I cannot see how intentionally leading someone away from His church would be beneficial...but I cannot speak for Him. Also, make sure that your concerns are properly placed - are they with the Gospel and the Lord's doctrine, or with church policy? There are a couple of church policies that I do not personally agree with. However, I realize that my current position and view is limited, and I may not be seeing the big picture. Over time some of them have resolved, and I now know why things are the way they are. Some are not yet resolved, but I don't worry about them and put faith in the Lord's timing. 
There have been several times in my life (most when I was a missionary) when people have told me that they honestly prayed about the gospel, and felt that it wasn't for them. At that point I no longer tried to push our message, but simply accepted what they told me, and wished them the best. You cannot argue with a true answer from the Lord. Did they really receive a true answer, were they misinterpreting what they felt or pushing their own desires, or was it just an excuse to get us to leave them alone...only they and the Lord truly know. 
If the Lord has given you answers in the past, accept them, and do not continually press Him for constant reassurance with regards to every detail. Whatever your concerns may be, I would encourage you to do all of the basic "primary" things before making any decisions: pray with real intent, feast upon the scriptures, fast regularly, and provide service to others. I am not insinuating that you do not already do these things, but as we continually place ourselves in a position that is compatible with the spirit, guidance and direction tend to become clearer. The following is from one of my favorite conference talks given during my early months as a new missionary.
"Like you, I have felt what King Benjamin meant when he said that we could become like a little child before God. I have prayed, as you have, to know what to do when choices that I faced would have eternal consequences. Over many years I have seen a recurring pattern in the times when the answers to such a prayer have come most clearly.
Once, for instance, I prayed through the night to know what I was to choose to do in the morning. I knew that no other choice could have had a greater effect on the lives of others and on my own. I knew what choice looked most comfortable to me. I knew what outcome I wanted. But I could not see the future. I could not see which choice would lead to which outcome. So the risk of being wrong seemed too great to me.
I prayed, but for hours there seemed to be no answer. Just before dawn, a feeling came over me. More than at any time since I had been a child, I felt like one. My heart and my mind seemed to grow very quiet. There was a peace in that inner stillness.
Somewhat to my surprise, I found myself praying, “Heavenly Father, it doesn’t matter what I want. I don’t care anymore what I want. I only want that Thy will be done. That is all that I want. Please tell me what to do.”
In that moment I felt as quiet inside as I had ever felt. And the message came, and I was sure who it was from. It was clear what I was to do. I received no promise of the outcome. There was only the assurance that I was a child who had been told what path led to whatever He wanted for me.
Henry B Eyring, Apr 2006 General Conference

People need to stop worrying about when the Second Coming is going to happen and spend time preparing themselves for the stuff that precedes the Second Coming.  There are a lot of events, many of them catastrophic, that we have to go through loooong before the Second Coming occurs.

Elder Russell M. Ballard - 1996 BYU Devotional
 

I'm just trying to make it through today, my friend.  Just trying to make it through today.

The best advice or counsel I can give is to wait upon the Lord. Although He didn't answer Pres. Oaks' inquiries at the time, the answer did eventually come in the form of the ban being lifted. As he also said in that talk "As part of my prayerful study, I learned that, in general, the Lord rarely gives reasons for the commandments and directions He gives to His servants." Although a reason may not be given, He never leads those who truly desire to come unto Him astray...whatever that path might be. I cannot see how intentionally leading someone away from His church would be beneficial...but I cannot speak for Him. Also, make sure that your concerns are properly placed - are they with the Gospel and the Lord's doctrine, or with church policy? There are a couple of church policies that I do not personally agree with. However, I realize that my current position and view is limited, and I may not be seeing the big picture. Over time some of them have resolved, and I now know why things are the way they are. Some are not yet resolved, but I don't worry about them and put faith in the Lord's timing. 
There have been several times in my life (most when I was a missionary) when people have told me that they honestly prayed about the gospel, and felt that it wasn't for them. At that point I no longer tried to push our message, but simply accepted what they told me, and wished them the best. You cannot argue with a true answer from the Lord. Did they really receive a true answer, were they misinterpreting what they felt or pushing their own desires, or was it just an excuse to get us to leave them alone...only they and the Lord truly know. 
If the Lord has given you answers in the past, accept them, and do not continually press Him for constant reassurance with regards to every detail. Whatever your concerns may be, I would encourage you to do all of the basic "primary" things before making any decisions: pray with real intent, feast upon the scriptures, fast regularly, and provide service to others. I am not insinuating that you do not already do these things, but as we continually place ourselves in a position that is compatible with the spirit, guidance and direction tend to become clearer. The following is from one of my favorite conference talks given during my early months as a new missionary.
"Like you, I have felt what King Benjamin meant when he said that we could become like a little child before God. I have prayed, as you have, to know what to do when choices that I faced would have eternal consequences. Over many years I have seen a recurring pattern in the times when the answers to such a prayer have come most clearly.
Once, for instance, I prayed through the night to know what I was to choose to do in the morning. I knew that no other choice could have had a greater effect on the lives of others and on my own. I knew what choice looked most comfortable to me. I knew what outcome I wanted. But I could not see the future. I could not see which choice would lead to which outcome. So the risk of being wrong seemed too great to me.
I prayed, but for hours there seemed to be no answer. Just before dawn, a feeling came over me. More than at any time since I had been a child, I felt like one. My heart and my mind seemed to grow very quiet. There was a peace in that inner stillness.
Somewhat to my surprise, I found myself praying, “Heavenly Father, it doesn’t matter what I want. I don’t care anymore what I want. I only want that Thy will be done. That is all that I want. Please tell me what to do.”
In that moment I felt as quiet inside as I had ever felt. And the message came, and I was sure who it was from. It was clear what I was to do. I received no promise of the outcome. There was only the assurance that I was a child who had been told what path led to whatever He wanted for me.
Henry B Eyring, Apr 2006 General Conference

I have re-read your post @scottyg, and this question keeps leaping out at me. It goes back to the question of whether or not God would give me answers that would lead away. If I trust what I think God is telling me, there are some conflicts there between what I feel God is telling me and what the Church says God is saying. It's not necessarily about the entire "is this the true Church", but smaller issues and questions.Trusting what God has said in the past about this being His Church, but also trusting what He seems to be telling me now about specific issues is difficult. Trusting God is key, but it is difficult when you get seemingly mixed messages from God.
I am reminded of something Pres. Oaks said at the Be One celebration that seems similar. He said that he prayed about the reasons being given for the priesthood and temple ban, but did not receive confirmation of the truth of any of them. He determined to be loyal (and I keep wondering exactly what he meant by that) to the brethren and the Church in spite of the conflict. In many ways, this is where I feel I am at. I don't receive confirmation of some things, and I find myself trying to understand what it might mean to be loyal through the contradictions or if I should distance myself from the Church or just what God wants me to do in the short and long term.

There was nothing in Pres. Oaks talk that was controversial or confusing. Folks (and especially our kids) need to realize and remember that black lives do matter, (everyone's life matters and is important) but the organization that calls themselves "black lives matter" is not actually associated with that phrase, and could actually care less about the prosperity of black america. Their organization is all about destroying our country as we know it at any cost, and lifting themselves up through theft and violence. They, along with may rioters we see in places like Seattle - aka CHAZ, are today's version of the Gadianton Robbers - lazy, evil, destructive, and disgusting people. Black Lives Matter, but Black Lives Matter as a phrase and black lives matter the organization are two completely different things. The actions and messages of the latter are far away from love, tolerance, and acceptance. This group is exhibit A of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I would add a couple of thoughts.  I have conversed with several that have experienced various "Faith Crisis".  Almost always their crisis centers around either doctrine of things that do not seem to be working out with someone and "The Church".  Much like your first paragraph.   In short I believe such is and pseudo crisis.  Please allow me to explain.  I believe the real crisis deals with covenants - in particular the covenants that come with the ordinances of salvation.  I will give an example - using the Sabbath.  As many times as I have been in discussions about the Sabbath; it seems that such discussions are centered around do's and don't's of what is proper for the Sabbath.  And it seems that regardless - the discussions is about exceptions.  I see these are discussions of doctrine.  And so I will inquire about covenant rather than doctrine.  I will ask - "What is your Sabbath Covenant?"  Few have any idea what I am asking?  And so they start into doctrine, do's and don't's.  And soon the question comes - "what about exceptions?"
I was taught by my parents to be true to one's word.  If I ever make a commitment, promise or covenant - then I am obligated to fulfill the commitment.  I do not want to sound better than anyone but I think that not knowing what to do is not so much not knowing what to do as it is not wanting to do it. 
 
The Traveler

This is in reply to no one in particular.
I have never had (up to this point in my life) a "faith crisis". I have been told by the spirit several times that Jesus is the Christ, and that His church was restored to the earth by His prophet Joseph Smith. Each succeeding prophet since that time has held the keys necessary to move His work forward. It doesn't matter if a policy in the church changes, or if the world as a whole moves farther away from the principles of Christianity. The spirit has conveyed truth to me in a very clear way. I have received a witness the work is true, so nothing else matters. I take what comes my way with faith, and don't worry about asking why...why would I question a loving God who knows more than I do? Why would I not trust the answers He gave me? The efficacy or truth in those answers do not lessen over time, so why should my convictions? Why would I allow the opinion of another person in regards to a topic that has no real impact on my life or how I worship sway my testimony? Who really cares? Let them think what they think. The gospel is simple, and it is the adversary who constantly pushes pointless questions into people's minds - they are pointless because their answers cannot possibly be answered in this life, and their answers would really have no meaningful impact anyway. The evidences of the restored gospel that we do have strengthen my faith, but they are not my foundation...it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Some may call me the prototypical sheep...just blindly following what the leaders of the church tell me to do. But, the fact remains that every single trial I have had in my life has been overcome as I put the Lord first and wait upon Him. When I follow the counsel from the living prophet, I am happy, and all things eventually work themselves out. Every part of my life is better because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the lives of so many who leave the church fall into disarray, emptiness, and confusion. I try to help them as best I can, but I do not let their their lives or actions influence what I know to be true. The church's message is true or it isn't; so we as a people need to stop forcing some middle ground to appear. It is hard at times to be a member of this church, but life is ultimately harder when you are not a part of it. Think back to, remember, and trust in the answers that a loving Father in Heaven has given to you...not in the philosophies of men.

Faithful study and prayer won't have the possibility of it leading away.  I can't see how it would.  My encouragement to anyone whether they are an investigator, coming back to church, or having a faith crisis would be to study and pray, and please reach out to me with any questions or help they may need, and that would include you.   

My experience with people deconstructing their faith, and I've known more than a few "former" members, has been that they aren't studying the right things.
Edited to add: I'm probably a HORRIBLE person to discuss generalities with, though, because my faith is pretty black and white.  Something is either good and of God or bad, and not.  I don't play with the grey much.  There is too much good to uncover and study.  
Being so black and white often leads me to deliver definitive and blunt advice.  Even though I mean it with love and I really do care, if someone comes to me and says "I'm really struggling with what the prophet said" my response is typically "well, he's the prophet".   

14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
In fact, this is the meat of the talk I'm giving in Sacrament tomorrow, so my post tomorrow night may be "help Grunt get re-baptized after his ex-communication".

This is in reply to no one in particular.
I have never had (up to this point in my life) a "faith crisis". I have been told by the spirit several times that Jesus is the Christ, and that His church was restored to the earth by His prophet Joseph Smith. Each succeeding prophet since that time has held the keys necessary to move His work forward. It doesn't matter if a policy in the church changes, or if the world as a whole moves farther away from the principles of Christianity. The spirit has conveyed truth to me in a very clear way. I have received a witness the work is true, so nothing else matters. I take what comes my way with faith, and don't worry about asking why...why would I question a loving God who knows more than I do? Why would I not trust the answers He gave me? The efficacy or truth in those answers do not lessen over time, so why should my convictions? Why would I allow the opinion of another person in regards to a topic that has no real impact on my life or how I worship sway my testimony? Who really cares? Let them think what they think. The gospel is simple, and it is the adversary who constantly pushes pointless questions into people's minds - they are pointless because their answers cannot possibly be answered in this life, and their answers would really have no meaningful impact anyway. The evidences of the restored gospel that we do have strengthen my faith, but they are not my foundation...it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Some may call me the prototypical sheep...just blindly following what the leaders of the church tell me to do. But, the fact remains that every single trial I have had in my life has been overcome as I put the Lord first and wait upon Him. When I follow the counsel from the living prophet, I am happy, and all things eventually work themselves out. Every part of my life is better because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the lives of so many who leave the church fall into disarray, emptiness, and confusion. I try to help them as best I can, but I do not let their their lives or actions influence what I know to be true. The church's message is true or it isn't; so we as a people need to stop forcing some middle ground to appear. It is hard at times to be a member of this church, but life is ultimately harder when you are not a part of it. Think back to, remember, and trust in the answers that a loving Father in Heaven has given to you...not in the philosophies of men.

Pres Nelson's closing remarks of the most recent Sunday morning session of General Conference need to be read again by everyone. I will just quote one of his last sentences.
"My dear brothers and sisters, as you choose to let God prevail in your lives, you will experience for yourselves that our God is 'a God of miracles'.”
"Let God Prevail". Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2020 General Conference

This is in reply to no one in particular.
I have never had (up to this point in my life) a "faith crisis". I have been told by the spirit several times that Jesus is the Christ, and that His church was restored to the earth by His prophet Joseph Smith. Each succeeding prophet since that time has held the keys necessary to move His work forward. It doesn't matter if a policy in the church changes, or if the world as a whole moves farther away from the principles of Christianity. The spirit has conveyed truth to me in a very clear way. I have received a witness the work is true, so nothing else matters. I take what comes my way with faith, and don't worry about asking why...why would I question a loving God who knows more than I do? Why would I not trust the answers He gave me? The efficacy or truth in those answers do not lessen over time, so why should my convictions? Why would I allow the opinion of another person in regards to a topic that has no real impact on my life or how I worship sway my testimony? Who really cares? Let them think what they think. The gospel is simple, and it is the adversary who constantly pushes pointless questions into people's minds - they are pointless because their answers cannot possibly be answered in this life, and their answers would really have no meaningful impact anyway. The evidences of the restored gospel that we do have strengthen my faith, but they are not my foundation...it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Some may call me the prototypical sheep...just blindly following what the leaders of the church tell me to do. But, the fact remains that every single trial I have had in my life has been overcome as I put the Lord first and wait upon Him. When I follow the counsel from the living prophet, I am happy, and all things eventually work themselves out. Every part of my life is better because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the lives of so many who leave the church fall into disarray, emptiness, and confusion. I try to help them as best I can, but I do not let their their lives or actions influence what I know to be true. The church's message is true or it isn't; so we as a people need to stop forcing some middle ground to appear. It is hard at times to be a member of this church, but life is ultimately harder when you are not a part of it. Think back to, remember, and trust in the answers that a loving Father in Heaven has given to you...not in the philosophies of men.

This is in reply to no one in particular.
I have never had (up to this point in my life) a "faith crisis". I have been told by the spirit several times that Jesus is the Christ, and that His church was restored to the earth by His prophet Joseph Smith. Each succeeding prophet since that time has held the keys necessary to move His work forward. It doesn't matter if a policy in the church changes, or if the world as a whole moves farther away from the principles of Christianity. The spirit has conveyed truth to me in a very clear way. I have received a witness the work is true, so nothing else matters. I take what comes my way with faith, and don't worry about asking why...why would I question a loving God who knows more than I do? Why would I not trust the answers He gave me? The efficacy or truth in those answers do not lessen over time, so why should my convictions? Why would I allow the opinion of another person in regards to a topic that has no real impact on my life or how I worship sway my testimony? Who really cares? Let them think what they think. The gospel is simple, and it is the adversary who constantly pushes pointless questions into people's minds - they are pointless because their answers cannot possibly be answered in this life, and their answers would really have no meaningful impact anyway. The evidences of the restored gospel that we do have strengthen my faith, but they are not my foundation...it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Some may call me the prototypical sheep...just blindly following what the leaders of the church tell me to do. But, the fact remains that every single trial I have had in my life has been overcome as I put the Lord first and wait upon Him. When I follow the counsel from the living prophet, I am happy, and all things eventually work themselves out. Every part of my life is better because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the lives of so many who leave the church fall into disarray, emptiness, and confusion. I try to help them as best I can, but I do not let their their lives or actions influence what I know to be true. The church's message is true or it isn't; so we as a people need to stop forcing some middle ground to appear. It is hard at times to be a member of this church, but life is ultimately harder when you are not a part of it. Think back to, remember, and trust in the answers that a loving Father in Heaven has given to you...not in the philosophies of men.

This is in reply to no one in particular.
I have never had (up to this point in my life) a "faith crisis". I have been told by the spirit several times that Jesus is the Christ, and that His church was restored to the earth by His prophet Joseph Smith. Each succeeding prophet since that time has held the keys necessary to move His work forward. It doesn't matter if a policy in the church changes, or if the world as a whole moves farther away from the principles of Christianity. The spirit has conveyed truth to me in a very clear way. I have received a witness the work is true, so nothing else matters. I take what comes my way with faith, and don't worry about asking why...why would I question a loving God who knows more than I do? Why would I not trust the answers He gave me? The efficacy or truth in those answers do not lessen over time, so why should my convictions? Why would I allow the opinion of another person in regards to a topic that has no real impact on my life or how I worship sway my testimony? Who really cares? Let them think what they think. The gospel is simple, and it is the adversary who constantly pushes pointless questions into people's minds - they are pointless because their answers cannot possibly be answered in this life, and their answers would really have no meaningful impact anyway. The evidences of the restored gospel that we do have strengthen my faith, but they are not my foundation...it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Some may call me the prototypical sheep...just blindly following what the leaders of the church tell me to do. But, the fact remains that every single trial I have had in my life has been overcome as I put the Lord first and wait upon Him. When I follow the counsel from the living prophet, I am happy, and all things eventually work themselves out. Every part of my life is better because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the lives of so many who leave the church fall into disarray, emptiness, and confusion. I try to help them as best I can, but I do not let their their lives or actions influence what I know to be true. The church's message is true or it isn't; so we as a people need to stop forcing some middle ground to appear. It is hard at times to be a member of this church, but life is ultimately harder when you are not a part of it. Think back to, remember, and trust in the answers that a loving Father in Heaven has given to you...not in the philosophies of men.

See, I think this is an issue that those who challenge faith run into and I have difficulty understanding why.   We assume because it isn't a talk given every conference that the "Church" hasn't adopted it.  Elder Bednar addressed that very point this last General Conference in his talk.  President Ezra Taft Benson very directly counseled us "The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer."   He didn't say "choose what we follow" or "wait until everyone in the Church gives talks on something before following it."

 
I'm ecstatic to have anyone worship with me.  The Lord's house is open to all.  I've shared a pew (well, row since our tiny ward still racks chairs after every Sacrament and sets them up the next week) with drunks, atheists, Buddhists, and many other people that don't believe what I believe.  I'm not sure why someone would think that I would feel differently.  

That said, you have to be equally comfortable with the knowledge that if you utter things that run counter to what the Lord has revealed to us through His Prophets and Apostles, I'm going to call that out and cite the people He has chosen to speak through.  

I hope this is not the case. I have tried hard to teach my children that they cannot hold me responsible for their own failings. Maybe I wasn't a good enough parent, and maybe I still am not, but in the end, they have to live their lives. Not me. And they have to decide what they will and will not do, what they will and will not believe, how they will and will not choose to feel. Yet after all that, I am still very much invested in their happiness and success. It matters to me a whole lot, perhaps as much as anything else in this life matters to me. My telling them that their fate is in their own hands is not to wash my hands of them; it's to empower them, to make them realize that only they can forge their paths.
Similarly, I take the "it's not our job to make you comfortable" (which applies to me in my ward just as much as it does to you in yours) not as a challenge or rebuke or declaration of not really caring very much, but as a statement of the nature of reality. I hope and believe that my fellow ward members value me and care about me and my family. But their caring and good wishes won't actually do anything for me if I turn away.  God reaching for me with outstretched hand to grasp me won't be of any benefit if I don't take his hand. The choice is mine. That's what I think it means, and I hope that's eventually what comes across to you.
I, too, have seen both of these things. I suppose I fall on what some would consider the heretical side of the organic evolution topic, and I remain pretty unconvinced by the heartland argument. But if there is deep division from such issues, perhaps it's a reflection of a deeper cultural malaise that we see in stark relief in our American political circles. Middle ground has been soundly rejected; one side has done so, vociferously, for decades, and the other side appears to have resigned itself to that division and no longer makes much attempt to bridge the gap. I wish I knew the solution. I suppose it must be Godly love, for what else could it be? What else can heal such wounds and divisions?
These seem like hard questions. I want to say that of course we can put aside differences and worship together. When I say or think such things, it makes me feel warm, so I think it's probably true. But where the rubber meets the road, I'm no so sure. I have numerous cousins, nieces, and  nephews who have distanced themselves to various degrees from the teachings and practices of the Church. Some still consider themselves faithful members, while some don't consider themselves even so much as Christians any more. Others fall at various stages between those. If I'm brutally honest, I will admit that at times it's hard even to hold a philosophical conversation with them. When the harsh words start flying from their side, I have to fight back the urge to respond with a Sterling Rebuke of Diamond Truth, gutting their laughable arguments and showing with devastating accuracy just how wrong their apostasy is and how it cannot possibly hold up to careful, reasoned inspection.
Because that kind of thing does no good. I can't think of any examples of Jesus busting heads with scriptural citations and logical beatdowns to prove his brilliant point.
Somehow, love must prevail over such foolish hostility and bad feelings. I have met people who can perform this magic. But I am not one of them, not yet, not to the degree I have witnessed from them. I'm still plugging along, far behind the curve, preparing to meet my God and knowing that, when I do, I will be woefully underprepared and utterly without excuse. Nothing to do at that point but kneel quietly before my Lord and accept whatever judgment he has to render.
But I do hope that, traveling further down this path, I eventually manage to grow up enough to become useful to God's kingdom. Maybe even in this lifetime. Then I'll know how to deal with people  like you and me, people who strive for the truth and who want it, but who haven't yet figured out exactly what they're supposed to be doing and how they are to come to the knowledge they seek but don't yet have. Because right now, I feel like the blind leading the blind. And were I to stand before God tonight and give an accounting of myself, I would have no excuse for my current blindness but my own stubborn refusal to act in the way I've been told for my whole life that I should act.
Have patience with us, MrShorty. We're not there yet, either. I'll try to reciprocate. I'm at best a pale, distorted reflection of the Savior. But I'm a brother, and I try to remember to act like one. I often forget, and I'm ashamed of that. But I like to think my failures and deficiencies don't define me, and that yours don't define you.

Pres Nelson's closing remarks of the most recent Sunday morning session of General Conference need to be read again by everyone. I will just quote one of his last sentences.
"My dear brothers and sisters, as you choose to let God prevail in your lives, you will experience for yourselves that our God is 'a God of miracles'.”
"Let God Prevail". Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2020 General Conference

I recently ran across some people, when seeing the current situation at the university and around the US, that were of the opinion that the fasts called by the Prophet in the April Conference were not successful and thus were proof of some nonsense they had in mind.  I tried to tell them my opinion on this, but they were not in the mood to listen...and so...I'm here to gripe (well, not really gripe, but to write down my thoughts on it).
The FASTS WERE successful.  If you look at the numbers, after the fasts occurred, the numbers of infections and deaths both went down rather soon after those fasts.  However, the Lord will not preserve men from their own intentions to destroy themselves.  There have been suggestions on how to mitigate (and several nations, even non-christian and Non-LDS ones have done these measures, and even while they are much more dense, have more successfully navigated the pandemic WITHOUT ALMOST ANY SHUTDOWNS...at least when looking at some of the Asian nations).
In the US, they have not been successful in this for the most part, and ignoring the precautions...finally, our cases and the deaths are rising again at an exponential rate and gaining momentum.  The Lord put out a preserving hand to us, but instead of accepting it, we took pride in ourselves and slapped it back.
One of the problems I think is that there is too much idolatry in the US currently (and perhaps the world).  When we read about idolatry in the Bible and wonder how people could worship things like that.  I see it in the world today.  I asked my daughter about it, and she said...they worship what they can see.  Most people do not see the heavens open and physically see the body of our Lord.  They DO see Trump (and this is just one example, not the ONLY example).  It isn't conservatives or liberals, it literally is that whatever Trump tells some people...they believe. 
My wife tried to tell me it was Fox News today, but I pointed out I read Fox News and Fox News actually says quite the opposite of some of the things those who worship the church of Trump will tell you.  It promotes wearing masks, it gives both sides of the story in many instances (both from Trumps point of view and his opposition), and is for many of the precautions out there.  It's not a Fox News or conserative thing, as many of them are saying the exact opposite of what Trump is teaching...it is worshipping their new Deity...Trump.
However, it's not just those who worship at Trumps Church, you have the exact opposite of the spectrum as well.  Those who worship at the Church of Obama, or Biden, or MSNBC, or any number of other outlets.  Instead of looking for a more balanced approach, they obey what they hear...and then go out in large groups and protest, or try to put out businesses out of operations...and many other things.
Each side is teaching the other to NOT respect each other, that the other is their enemy  (Rather than the idea that we are all Americans and thus all have this in common, that we are ALL in this together).  In our conflict, we all get different ideas and standards and thus, in the worship of the deities they can see (just like they could see the golden calf or other fixed idols of their day) our society has devolved into fighting with each other.  We are so much at each other's throats (at least from what I'm seeing in general these days) that we are hurting ourselves. 
The fact that the Lord blessed us with a downturn of cases and deaths for so long should be seen as a massive deal of his grace to us, and that it took so long for us to refute his aid should show us how much mercy he has towards us and our situations!
I saw such a display of idolatry in class recently (and another reason class is now suspended for another few weeks).  We found out about the cases WHILE in class.  The student who brazenly came had already been tested and told to stay at their quarters until the test came back.  They had symptoms.  Instead...they came to class.  They had no mask.  They decided to sit next to others.  This individual was from the Church of Trump, and of course, has touted many of the things he has learned from his deity (though he would never say it is his idol and instead state that he doesn't worship Trump, worship is exhibited in actions just as much as words).    We found out in class...from a phone call that disrupted us (also something I do not appreciate in class).  Near him, was a girl that had decided to move away when he sat near her.  SHE is from the church of Alarmist news.  When she found out, she was outraged (and I can actually understand that).  His Trumpisms of it not being really that bad of an illness and she had nothing to worry about did NOT help.  Instead, it infuriated her.  Within a few seconds she literally attacked him (violence in class...in class...what have we gotten too!!!  I've never had violence in class before...not like this!!).  She was so set in her worship and what she's been told she felt he had already murdered her!!!  She accused him of murder right there and physically attacked him (I suppose in an effort to hurt him like she felt he hurt her??).  It was insane!
We got them apart, had the campus police come, and here we are...once again out of class.  I reflected on this, and think that people are doing these insane things because this has become more than just something we are trying to make it through.  They have married this disease to politics, and rather than God being worshipped, their political deities are the ones they worship now.  They listen more to what these deities say...than what the Lord says and would have us do!
There's a lot more that's going on, but I think idolatry, pride, and the lust for money and power are what are driving men today rather than the Lord, and because of these things, rather than accept the Lord and look to him in faith to try to help each other overcome the current situation, men have ignored him and turned to their idols instead.  
Which is why I think it is getting worse.  Some may say I sound like a religious fanatic, but that's what I think is happening.
After the girl had her breakdown she said she didn't know who she could rely on anymore.  Everyone who she thought should be good seemed to be evil in regards to how they treated others and respected others in trying to stay safe.  She felt she couldn't turn to family, the school, or other students.  I couldn't tell her this (in my capacity as a professor) but I yearned to tell her that there IS a foundation we can still rely on...it is the LORD.  HE is the foundation we can still turn to in these troubled times.
Going full circle then...I think it was evident that the Fasts worked.  At least, to me, the numbers seemed to be reduced after the fast.  There were still numbers, but they declined in many areas over the summer (and there is science that also explains it, but I think much of it had to do with our fast).  There are miracles at work (the speed of the vaccine being created for one).  However, the Lord cannot help those who are so determined to turn away from him and his aid (in my thoughts).  This is why I think the disease is becoming worse, because men instead of turning to him and practicing the principles which he has told us to do (Love him, and Love our neighbor), the people in the US and Europe and many other parts of the world have decided to worship idols of power, greed, pride, or even individuals we see rather than him.  This is NOT just something for one side of a political spectrum (it's not just a liberal or conservative thing, nor is it anything to do with that), but people from all walks and spectrums are participating in these things rather than turning to the Lord or doing what he would have us do.
Which, is really what I wanted to say to the individual that was spouting off to me about the Fasts recently...I DO think they worked and that it was a successful fast...but many people, even many in the Church, have turned to idolatry these days, and are relying more on the hands of men...rather than that of the LORD.
And now...that's off my chest.

The last video led me to the following: Political Neutrality

When Frank Fox, former BYU professor, talks about what a miserable, evil, awful human being Donald Trump is and how he (Fox) is proudly voting for Joe Biden, I have to wonder about the cognitive faculties of many of my more educated fellow Saints. Joe Biden as a defender of faith and integrity? No one can seriously believe that.

That would make sense to me. From a historical perspective some of the most successful empires in history practiced religious toleration towards their subjects. Persia is one of the best known examples of this, but several of the great Indian empires including the Mauryan and Gupta empires also demonstrate this principle. Religious toleration, from a purely secular viewpoint, reduces civil unrest and foments loyalty amongst your subjects. Of course it's also ideal from a religious perspective as well, Agency being of supreme importance to God, but there is lots of good historical data backing up the concept.

That is were the failure occurs.  It is not up to the Church or any Church member to "deal" with your comfort or uncomfortableness... It is on you.  Both the most Faithful and the most Faithless have questions and things they do not understand or know.  Thus questions and lack of knowledge is not the problem.  Its the lack of faith
Both of these types of people can ask fundamentally the same question but it is the faith or lack thereof that makes the difference.  (For without faith it is impossible to please God)
Take for example the Angel Gabriel announcements of pending births to Zechariah and Mary.  Both had serious questions on how they might have a child given their situations. Yet the angels response to what was basically the same question "How" was very very different.  Mary had faith and Zechariah basically did not and the Angel responded accordingly.
Now members and the leaders of Church are flawed and imperfect... But it is easy to see how a statement of "I do not believe that" versus "I am not there yet" would be taken differently.  Even though at the fundamental level they say express the same lack of knowledge/testimony.