Question

what is most closely the meaning of assured in the following passage (paragraph 39)?
yes, these questions are still in my mind. in deep disappointment i have wept over the laxity of the church. but be assured that my tears have been tears of love. there can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.
yes, i love the church. how could i do otherwise? i am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers.
yes, i see the church as the body of christ. but, oh! how we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists.
a. | adjective | confident
b. | adjective | protected against change
c. | verb | to dispel doubts
d. | verb | make something certain to happen

Explanation:

In the context, "be assured" means to have one's doubts dispelled. The speaker is trying to convey a sense of certainty to the reader/listener, reassuring them about their love for the church despite their disappointment in its laxity. The word "assured" here is used as a verb, not an adjective. It does not mean to make something certain to happen but rather to give confidence or remove doubts.

Answer:

C. verb | to dispel doubts