Doubt and Reason

In my journey through the blogosphere, I have come across some really fascinating blogs including one in which the author chronicles his spiritual journey "to Byzantium." He and his wife decided to leave the Mormon church and some of the entries deal with that decision. In one he wrote something to this effect (paraphrased here):
The way the church deals with doubt is to not address it directly, but get busy reading your scriptures, praying, etc.
I wonder if this is really true. I can see what he's talking about, because in 90% of the situations in which I have heard someone express doubt or concern about something, the response of teachers or whoever their talking to has been to say something like, "Oh, it may not make sense now, but you'll get your answer if you just keep doing what you're supposed to do."
To the one in doubt, this cannot be satisfactory at all. Doubts not dealt with will not go away, at least in my experience that is the case. If I try to ignore something that is gnawing at my mind or heart it just builds in intensity to be brought out with more force later.
Doubts must be dealt with directly. Questions ought to be asked. Answers may be found. If we take no other lesson from the life of Joseph Smith, we should at least recognize that he faced his questions directly and found answers. I'm thinking he probably went to his grave still wondering about a lot of things, but still looking for the answer. Of all people I think Joseph would be least satisfied by the response to a question, "There's not really an answer, just do what you're supposed to and everything will be fine."
From Joseph's example I see that the way to face doubt is to consider every angle of the question, think about it, pray about it, struggle with it, and (yes!) wait on the Lord, but don't stop seeking.
Doubts can be some of the most fruitful catalysts for spiritual knowledge, but that knowledge doesn't come easily.