Azle LDS Ward
"Don't Let a Good Faith Crisis Go to Waste"
Q: What is a faith crisis?
Trials of our faith are a natural part of our faith journey. They do not need to be hidden in shame, secrecy, darkness or bitterness.
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For some, their trial personally feels like a "crisis"; a crisis of identity, personal philosophy, family, and social relationships. For most, this process is an expected and often necessary "developmental shift" towards better understanding, increased faith and enlightenment.
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"Having questions about the gospel is not a crisis—it is a catalyst to deepening our faith."
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What You Are
If you are (faithfully) struggling with truth
OK
This is normal
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In Good Standing
Questions, doubt, concerns do not threaten your membership
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Developing
For some, this is a required process for their personal growth and depth
In Good Company
This is common
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Inviting Light
We are counseled by God to seek and knock for more light and truth
Understood
By others, by leaders, by God, by your Savior
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What You Are Not
If you are (faithfully) struggling with truth
An Apostate
If you are not turning away from or condemning the key principles of the Gospel
Unfaithful
Pursuit of light and truth is a gesture of faith, with action
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Untethered
You are not floating in an abyss of uncertainty. You are within a framework of maturity
In Rebellion
You have space to exercise your agency and reconcile personal faith
Alone
Struggle with doctrine, history, policy, etc is a near universal LDS experience
A Fool
You do not have your head in the sand. You are not actively engaging in dissonance.
Q: Can a faith crisis usher in God's work (examples)?
Q: How can we find comfort in Christ?
An (Over) Simplified Pattern of Crisis
Content
Solid in your faith. Focused on core principles. Unchallenged by external persuasion, information, rhetoric.
Concerned
Still devoted but working through some questions, gaining testimony of certain principles or people, aware of some common issues. Have come across concerning information. Open to more understanding. Lean into the Spirit to regain control.
Alarmed
Straddling the line. Have come across information that's unsettling. Feel bamboozled, foolish, lied to. Lost confidence in testimony and testimony of others, need to find more answers to regain control. The "What Ifs" settle in.
Broken
Mourning the loss of identity, time, money, family and social relationships. Confident in anti-literature, arguments, framing. Discovering "new truths" while going through a process of painful "deprogramming". Resentment settles in. Need justification to regain control.
The What Ifs
Those who become alarmed can ruminate on and become disoriented with the "what ifs"
What if it's all untrue?
Have I been brainwashed?
Have I been intentionally deceived?
What about my family?
Do I risk destroying the faith of others if leave?
Personal Authenticity and the Academic Mind
Thoughtful, good and intelligent people need to feel authentic in what they believe, what they teach, how they live and with themselves. The academic mind especially needs to reconcile logic. They do not want to be considered foolish, personally or by their peers. They wrestle with "head vs heart" and faith in the unseen / unprovable. Leaning into the spirit for evidence does not come naturally or they have difficulty feeling it. The logic, reasoning, framework, evidence, and methods of academic anti-LDS content is difficult for them to ignore because it risks an awareness of chosen dissonance to authenticity.
Receiving anti-LDS arguments from respected academic peers, family members, mentors or heroes is shattering.
Q: How do we help those in this situation?
Faith Models
Faithful Academia has studied the cycles of faith and have developed models to help identify where in the pattern one might be. This can help provide awareness, orientation and hope.
Jared Halverson
Creation, Fall, Atonement
A three-stage model designed to help individuals navigate their faith journeys, especially during times of crisis.
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Creation: This stage represents the initial phase of faith, characterized by innocence, idealism, and a sense of spiritual security. It’s akin to the biblical creation story, where everything is perfect and harmonious.
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Fall: The fall stage signifies a period of doubt, questioning, and disillusionment. Just as Adam and Eve’s fall introduced complexity and struggle into the world, this stage involves confronting difficult questions and experiencing a faith crisis.
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Atonement: In this final stage, individuals find reconciliation and deeper understanding. It’s about integrating the lessons learned from the fall and emerging with a more mature, resilient faith. This stage mirrors the atonement of Christ, which brings healing and redemption.
Brian McLaren
Four Stages of Faith
A framework that outlines a progressive journey through different phases of development.
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Simplicity: This stage is characterized by a dualistic, black-and-white way of thinking. Faith is straightforward, with clear rules and expectations.
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Complexity: In this stage, individuals start to see the nuances and complexities of faith. It’s about learning and achieving, often focusing on mastering religious practices and understanding deeper doctrines.
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Perplexity: This stage involves questioning and doubt. Individuals may experience disillusionment and skepticism, challenging previously held beliefs and the entire belief system.
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Harmony: The final stage is about integrating the lessons from previous stages into a more mature, expansive, and loving faith. It emphasizes a generous and inclusive approach to spirituality
Thomas McKonkie
Mormon Stages
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Diplomat: Focuses on harmonizing with the collective and fitting in.
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Expert: Seeks to master specific skills and knowledge.
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Achiever: Aims for success and efficiency.
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Individualist: Values personal authenticity and self-expression.
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Strategist: Integrates different perspectives and systems.
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Causal & Beyond: Embraces a more holistic and transcendent view of life.
McConkie emphasizes that faith crises can be seen as natural parts of spiritual growth, breaking open to make room for new life and faith1. His work encourages a compassionate and understanding approach to these transitions, offering tools and insights to help individuals move through these stages more smoothly.
Q: What are leaders' and loved ones' responsibilities?
How leaders and loved ones receive and support those who are struggling is vital to their experience.
If your "church well" has been poisoned, the BoM, praying, seeking the spirit and church resources may not work for you. You might be interested in 3rd party info. Ultimately, however – prayer, the spirit, BoM, church resources will be the best sources for your answers.
Telling someone who is looking for depth in answers that they should simply pray more, read their scriptures and increase their faith, most likely will exacerbate their frustration in finding answers and they will turn to other resources that will satiate them (these may not be faithful resources).
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Media and Resources
Creation, Fall, Atonement (Condensed)
Creation, Fall, Atonement (Full)
Everybody's Going Through It - Come Back Podcast
CES Letter Response - Come Back Podcast
Answers and Anchors
Q: What if I'm not receiving answers?
Q: What are your anchors of faith?
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
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Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.