Chapter 1 - The Nature of Faith
Chapter One: The Nature of Faith
Introduction to Faith
Faith is not blind or deaf or dumb: Emphasizes that faith involves awareness, understanding, and expression.
Personal Experience with Faith
Missionary Farewell at Age 19: The author reflects on their feelings of uncertainty regarding faith and the difference between knowing and believing.
At this farewell, the author could only express belief in the gospel rather than knowledge.
Acknowledges the expectation to declare knowledge but felt it was more truthful to express belief.
Metaphor of the Potted Plant
The author compares their faith to a potted plant, stating they believed it would grow, illustrating a sense of hope and expectation tied to faith.
Missionary Training Center Experience
During missionary training, there is an instance of teaching about the apostasy.
A supervising returned missionary encouraged the author to declare certainty regarding church structure, specifically the number of apostles.
The author respectfully declined to declare knowledge on the matter, saying instead that they believed.
This exchange led to feelings of distress about whether their belief was sufficient for missionary work.
Reflection on Secret Testimony
The author recalls late-night experiences playing the pipe organ in a sacred space.
Feels this was a private expression of testimony, suggesting that personal faith is often private and evolving.
Connection to Richard Bushman
The author connects personal struggles with faith to Richard Bushman's experience at Harvard, where he faced irreligious skepticism.
Bushman's doubt led him to agnosticism, yet he still accepted a mission call.
His reflection on finding language to express faith is emphasized; he felt unable to articulate his beliefs in a secular context.
Language of Faith
Importance of Language: The distinction of faith becomes crucial as it’s not just about feelings but also about having the vocabulary to articulate them.
Bushman's effort to write in a tone that is accessible to a secular audience demonstrates the need for effective communication about faith.
The author parallels Bushman's struggle, expressing that their age (19) also lacked the vocabulary to discuss faith except in personal settings.
Distinguishing Elements of Faith
Knowing, Believing, Doubting, and Wondering: These elements are noted as significant aspects of faith and life experiences.
The author insists that these distinctions are not trivial but crucial to one's spiritual journey.
Faith and Silence: Instances of silence or speechlessness regarding faith are normal, indicating spiritual growth rather than weakness.
The Concept of Faith for Dummies
The author jokingly wishes for a hypothetical book titled **Faith for Dummies, indicating a desire for accessible information during periods of uncertainty in faith.
Signals moments of doubt do not equate to faithlessness, but rather a need for deeper understanding.
Development of Personal Faith
The author shares personal growth from doubt to knowledge.
After the mission, a friend asked what the author learned, leading to the realization of a relationship with God.
This relationship offers a deep sense of connection and is described as the closeness with God that builds trust.
Beyond the Dichotomies of Faith
The author notes that belief and doubt aren't the only opposites, and categorizing oneself as a ''Mormon conservative'' or ''Mormon liberal'' is insufficient.
Discusses the need for genuine communication among different perspectives within faith communities and families.
Communication Barriers in Faith
Acknowledges the risk of being misunderstood and the importance of honest conversations without rigid responses.
Advocates for bridging gaps in communication for better understanding between the youth and their leaders or parents.
Purpose of the Discussion
The author aims to articulate concepts leading to improved understanding and expression of faith.
Emphasizes offering words, stories, and ideas that help clarify the faith process towards confidence in God and His church.
Recognizes that unsettling moments of faith are an essential element of spiritual maturity.
Authentic Spiritual Growth
The author draws on Milton's perspective that true virtue can only be appreciated through opposition, rejecting the notion of a sheltered faith.
Faith should confront and overcome adversities, leading to genuine spiritual maturation.
Conclusion
Reiterates the theme: true faith is aware, engaged, and able to articulate its challenges and strengths, actively seeing and overcoming adversity in the journey of belief.