“Don’t Look Under the Hood”? | Responding to LDS Leader Lawrence Corbridge’s Doubt Framework
In 2019, Lawrence E. Corbridge delivered a BYU devotional that has since become one of the most cited talks on doubt within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints circles. His message? Focus on “primary questions,” avoid getting lost in “secondary questions,” and rely on spiritual confirmation over critical inquiry.
But what happens when the “secondary questions” are the very things that determine whether the “primary answers” hold up?
In this episode of Mormon News Roundup, Dives takes a deep dive into Corbridge’s framework—and why critics argue it discourages meaningful investigation rather than resolving difficult issues.
We cover:
The “primary vs. secondary questions” model—and why it may be circular
Appeals to authority and the “I’ve read everything” claim
Cognitive dissonance and the framing of doubt as deception or “gloom”
Historical and scholarly challenges (Book of Abraham, DNA, Deutero-Isaiah, translation methods)
The shift in Church language from “Mormon” to “anti-Church” following Russell M. Nelson’s directive
Why many former members say the real issue isn’t doubt—it’s unanswered questions
We also examine how similar themes appear in devotionals by leaders like Dale G. Renlund, and what this pattern suggests about how the Church approaches difficult topics in the internet age.
At the heart of it all is a simple analogy:
If you’re buying a car… shouldn’t you be allowed to look under the hood?
This video engages directly with the arguments—not to dismiss faith, but to ask whether truth claims should stand up to scrutiny.
👇 Full source article:
https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/please-dont-look-under-the-hood
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