“We live in an age of doubt, but we need not be overcome. When we are planted in the Savior we can be nourished as much by our questions as by the answers.”
“Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt” is written by Patrick Mason and is a joint venture between the Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and Deseret Book. Patrick Mason is the Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate College and a Mormon historian.
When I first saw this was being released I kind of rolled my eyes. “Great,” I thought, “another book that will describe what I’ve been through (a la Crucible of Doubt) that ultimately preaches to the choir.” By this I mean that when I read Crucible of Doubt, it was an amazing experience to have my own thoughts and processes validated by the likes of the Givens’ with their beautiful prose, but ultimately I already had the basics down. I had found a way to stay. It was more a descriptor of my last three years than a path forward. As such it was beautiful and validating, but absolutely no use in how to manage my “now” in my ward family or real-family (in which I have a boundary that I refuse to discuss my faith because of the lack of mutual respect and understanding).
Enter “Planted.” Ultimately, I think, this is not a book for the questioners/doubters although it is helpful. I believe herein lies it’s strength. As I was reading I tweeted the following:
FYI I think another good title for “Planted” from @MI_BYU could be “How to Be A Mormon Feminist in Rexburg & Not Strangle Your Neighbor”
— @_Kristine_A
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Another alternate title to #Planted f/@MI_BYU could be: “Bishops, Here’s How to Minister to People Who Have Questions & Help Them Stay”
— @_Kristine_A
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Another alternate title to #Planted by @patrickqmason “Thinking Like A(n) Historian Solves Most of Your Problems” #subtweet #CESletter
— @_Kristine_A
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It covers a lot of the same ground as Crucible of Doubt, but I feel Bro. Mason as mostly addressing those who encounter and interact with those who doubt and question. He is someone who has always believed and never questioned, and he speaks their language. This is a book for the parent, the bishop, or the visiting teacher who would like to connect and help. Typically the response I have received to my own questions varies along the spectrum of “You must not be praying/reading scriptures, you need to do that more” or “Doubt your doubts because they destroy faith” and he quite poignantly describes why these responses not only don’t work, but push us farther away. Basically the book is a pattern on how to faithfully have difficult discussions; how to be faithful and true and also validate the questions and the difficult places others find themselves in (ie when it Hurts to Go to Church). The chapter on prophetic infallibility is the closest thing to a master class on how to have the discussion that I’ve ever seen. Not only is it a pattern for non-questioners, but it’s a useful example for me to use of how to frame and provide context to my questions and doubts in a way that doesn’t make people uncomfortable.
For example, one principle that particularly struck me was his discussion of how the atonement can apply to imperfect leaders, groups of people, and organizations. (pp 114, 122) Not only does it rightly point out that I am neither the judge, jury, nor executioner of our leaders – but that if I am to expect and ask for forgiveness I MUST give forgiveness to others who have caused me pain. I’m commanded to forgive everyone. This includes the Church. He used the example of only recently has the LDS Church taken responsibility and apologized for its part in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the reconciliation and peace that has come individually and institutionally because of it.
This reminded me of meeting Darius Gray this summer at the Black, White, and Mormon conference at University of Utah. How when he told his story of mistreatment at BYU and at the hands of his fellow saints he was able to stay in the Church despite the pain it caused. And he admitted frankly that not all of the injuries and pains we receive in this life will ever be fully healed, but you have to give the organization/people/leaders space and time to use the atonement and turn to God and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. I can imagine the only way to stay in the face of such hurt and pain is to let it go, knowing it may not heal and won’t stop the hurt; but let God be the one to exact the judgment.
This is the principle that shook me when reading this book: week after week I’ve brought my broken heart to sacrament meeting, sometimes it has been battered and bruised, and I’ve offered it up to God. I’ve been rededicating my life and asking for forgiveness, but absent from my sacrament worship was *my* act of forgivING. The women at church who’ve accused me of being “tares ripe for destruction” or “preaching false doctrine”? I’d been holding on to those hurts, unforgiving. And even though I’m not the judge I haven’t been exactly easy on the Church as a whole in light of the LGBTQ+ policy. It’s been difficult and painful for me just to show up. But….how does it change things if I focus on staying planted in Christ, and not letting one of the damaged branches get in the way?
It. Changes. Everything.
And after partaking of the sacrament, I bore my testimony of this experience. I was able to frame it and give it context that was appropriate in tone and testimony. It was about a year ago that I tried The Givens Test and bore my testimony in all it’s messy glory. This time, the response was black and white. Last year crowds of people got up to dispute my assertion that I don’t know if I would ever “KNOW.” This year a few people remarked in their own testimonies how they’d never thought of the atonement working for groups of people or organizations but it seemed like a true principle to them.
After church several parents with adult children who “have questions” approached me and asked me more about “that Planted book I talked about.” As I practiced my newly acquired “difficult discussion” skills, I found peace and reconciliation. One father told me that it was to the point he could no longer discuss the Church with his son, it was too hard. I told him he needs this book, because I know if my parents could speak to me and discuss issues in the pattern Patrick Mason provides, we would come together instead of being pushed apart. These issues are common and are touching all of our communities. Will we allow them to push us apart, or will we literally act out the atonement and come together (at-one) in love? I think Patrick Mason is right, this is one of the greatest challenges of our people we have today. Will we be ruled by our fear, or will we respond with faith?
I hope this is a resource that is used. Just as I have several copies of Women at Church which I lend out with evangelical-like zeal, so I plan to do the same with planted. Word of advice, if you ever meet with a church leader about any of your questions? Bring this book and make it part of the discussion. Save yourself some heartache, and hopefully your calling and your temple recommend.
-Have you found anything particularly useful when discussing your questions (if you have them) with others?
-If you read this, be prepared with a highlighter, my whole book has markings on almost every single page.
Wheat & Tares 
It sounds like a good read. As you’ve mentioned, one of the biggest problem with the faith crisis in church is that TMBs and doubters often don’t speak the same language. This book sounds like it might help bridge the language barrier.
I agree, mutual respect and speaking with each other instead of at each other is always a good foundation. I think I’ll need to reread it to help me integrate the discussions as they come up. It was a really interesting read.
I’m not really sure what is being discussed here but if it deals with what Nate says is a faith crisis than the doubters not only have the problem – they are the problem.
Faith is a gift of God. If the person who has separated himself from the gift, he has separated himself from God. Now God would love to have him back to Him but the person who has left has his agency and can stay away if he wants.
I tend to believe that a faith crisis doesn’t exist. Such a person never had faith or if he once had faith than that is a much more serious situation. He has refused the gift.
Kristine maybe there ought to be a contest giving a free copy of the book to the commenter that most clearly demonstrates the need for it. Rich may have just won.
Rich, great demonstration of why you shouldn’t be talking to people with doubts.
Rich, your comment reeks of arrogance and ignorance.
Faith crises come in all shapes and sizes. I’m happy to try and have faith in God and Jesus Christ but not in polygamy/sec.132. So tell me, Rich, is it all or nothing, this gift of faith whereof you speak?
Rich – Shame that you didn’t post this in 2015. We would have had a winner for most arrogant, ignorant and doctrinally incorrect post in our Wheaties awards. Oh well there’s always 2016….
Great review, Kristine. I really like this book so far because it helps to expand the tent and provide a loving environment for everyone of all faith flavors and types of belief/testimony. Currently, I think that there is a real fear that shoots through a member who realizes that they may feel differently than the prepackaged narrative. I too like the common language that can be used to express, discuss, and support one another with all of our different strengths and weaknesses of faith and church mrmbership.
Well, usually I tend to avoid this type of book. Never felt remotely drawn towards reading Crucible of Doubt, the many reviews notwithstanding, for example.
But this one actually sounds quite tempting. Thanks Kristine.
A faith crisis can become a useful path to knowing God, in fact I doubt you can know God without one! It is typically the path to better knowing yourself. Of course if you know God you may not feel the need for organized religion with it’s Pharisaical tribal rules. So I think the goal of the “faithful” LDS faith crisis isn’t to come to know God or yourself or much of anything at all, rather is it to slow and temper the process by managing anxiety into a faith transition (slow fizzle instead of a crisis) that keeps you an active tithe paying member of the tribe.
Hedgehog: Out of curiosity, what draws you toward this book compared to the other book?
Howard: your first line really resonates with me, though I haven’t really had a “typical” faith crisis. Doubts can be an important part of drawing us closer to God. You reminded me of this quote from Patrick’s book: “While doubt sends some careening, for many others it sparks deeper spiritual yearnings and more mature reflection on the complexities of mortality.” While I think the rest of your comment is too cynical (supposing books like this are written to keep tithes coming in so to speak), your underlying point about how doubts can assist faith is important to consider.
BHodges, I think it is the ‘how to have the discussions’ angle. I don’t feel any particular angst about where I am on the faith spectrum personally. I’m not remotely interested in someone else’s description or validation of a faith transition. But practical advice on talking to family members without eliciting knee-jerk reactions would be very welcome
Hodges,
Thanks for your comment. My spiritual journey resulted in personal revelation that confirms for me many of the controversial aspects of Joseph’s story such as multipal first visions and the stone and head in a hat plates out of sight description. These issues seem to cause many to stumble and to the uninitiated seem illogical but I can actually explain them at least to my satisfaction and I believe to God’s and understanding them strengthened my testimony of the restored gospel (not to be conflated with the current church). So I get the concept of transitioning from faith crisis to believer even through what appears to be unbelievable.
But I’m not your typical have one spiritual experience and it must mean the LDS church and all of it’s idiosyncrasies, inconsistancies and errors are of God so swallow it all whole type of believer. I enjoy easy access to the spirit and personal revelation and it is my equally strong testimony that todays church has drifted spiritually quite a long way from the church Joseph founded. Buildings being more important than the lives of poor people being one of them (thus the tithing comment).
I think the biggest problem the church faces today is the problem of blacks can, blacks can’t, blacks can again and the prophet cannot lead the church astray. This is just B.S. that no supernatural explaination can fix. They were simply wrong and they were forced to admit it! So why should anyone believe them today over their own conscious or their own personal revelation? I don’t. Then add to this the collective punishment of the children of gays! Gay didn’t even get honorable mention in the ten commandments or in Jesus’ ministry! So now we have a Gay version replay of the 1949 First Presidency statement in all of it’s bigoted glory.
These guys are clearly out of touch and their predecessors hid the truth vis misleading representations and many faithful members are painfully coming to that conclusion sparking books and discussions about faith crises where they rarely existed before.
So faith crises are good and they are healthy because they lead to the truth and truth will eventually reduce dissonance which with lead to authenticity and authenticity is health! So it is my prayer that all of this conflict will eventually send Q15 sincerely to their knees as it did Presidents McKay and Kimball and result in the church moving away from Pharisaical obedience and back to spirituality and true revelation.
Sorry BHodges not Hodges. Autocorrect!
Hedgehog, I bought the book this afternoon and read the first 20 pages as I waited to pick up my daughter from and after school activity. So far it surpasses my expectation in regard to how to have a conversation without the knee jerk reaction.
THE VALUES INSTITUTE including “AVERSION THERAPY AT BYU” and MONSON’s PARTICIPATION
Thanks Mark.
People:
Who’s having the crises?? The foundation of all concerns is that God lives and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Son’s Church. You can get through anything with that.
Even if the leaders are wrong, God put them there and your putting them down and leaving the Church (if that’s what you are doing) will only hurt you. I have disagreed with them a lot but to act the way you guys do is crazy. If you want to plant something, plant a testimony of God.
GBSmith,
If you are happy to have faith in God and Jesus Christ and not section 132 then you may as well step into a black hole.
What do you mean you are “… happy to TRY and have faith in God and Jesus Christ but not in polygamy/sec.132.” First find out if God and Christ even exist and then talk to them about sec. 132.
Right now I’m telling you that Heavenly Father and Heavenly Son really exist and that section 132 belongs in the Doctrine and Covenants because, at least, the leaders think it does whether we like it or not. So lay down on your back and scream and kick your legs like all the others.
Ether 12
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
/
Howard,check this out ||
and then this one ||
/
“Then add to this the collective punishment of the children of gays! Gay didn’t even get honorable mention in the ten commandments or in Jesus’ ministry!”
Putting down the God chosen leaders is one thing but putting down God(Jesus) is quite another.
You had better be careful.
Have any idea why you people are still trying to have faith in God? You’re trying first to be knowledgeable and failing horribly.
First know God.
Same as Hedgehog, this sounds like a book I’m willing to pick up. I once brought up a controversial topic in GD on behalf of another wardmember and got shot down by the bishop. She was devastated. Later the bishop came to my house for a visit (because, clearly, I was in trouble) and gave something akin to a “read the scriptures more” advice. He didn’t want to talk at all about the topic or that a wardmember was really struggling. Afterwards my husband and I looked at each other horrified, “Is this how he deals with people *actually* having a faith crisis?” I could have really used something like this book then. If not for him, at least for her.