Ongoing uncertainty

Anyone who works on understanding history recognizes the inherent problems of incomplete, inconsistent, and even contradictory sources. Historical analysis weighs probabilities.

Ideally, historians would follow the FAITH model of analysis, all in the pursuit of clarity, charity and understanding. 

They would work to identify and present Facts. 

Then they would clearly articulate their respective Assumptions and Inferences that support their Theories, all of which form their overall Hypotheses.

Too often, historians write their theories as facts, as I've discussed many times.

E.g., see my reviews of Real vs Rumor, starting here:

https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/p/real-vs-rumor-keith-ereksons-failed.html

Often people don't like to distinguish their theories from facts, but doing so is essential if we want everyone to understand one another.

The comment below showed up on social media but I don't know where or when. 

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Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained that even with the Church’s continued efforts toward transparency in history and records, there will still be questions that cannot be fully resolved by study alone.

This is because historical records are often incomplete, complex, or open to different interpretations. Even with full access to available information, not everything can be definitively answered.

He describes this as a form of “opposition in all things” (D&C 88:118)—meaning that uncertainty and unanswered questions are part of mortal life and learning.

In this view, some things are not meant to be understood purely through evidence or study, but through faith and personal spiritual confirmation.