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Holding Fast: Dealing with Doubt in the Latter Days by Robert L. Millet
This book is written to anyone (young or old) who has experienced doubt or who wants a stronger testimony of the gospel. In more than thirty years as a religious educator, Robert Millet has spent hundreds of hours meeting with people who wrestle with questions. He has observed what kinds of attitudes and habits undermine testimony and which ones engender steadfast hope and faith. Out of that experience, he has distilled principles that will help readers hold fast to faith in the midst of opposition. If you are striving to know- to know in a way that will see you through trials and assautls and criticism of beliefs you hold sacred- this book is for you!
Paperback
First published July 30, 2008
About the author
Robert L. Millet
144 books70 followersRobert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, holds a master s degree in psychology from BYU and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Florida State University. He is a popular speaker and prolific writer whose other books include Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son; Grace Works; and More Holiness Give Me. He and his wife, Shauna, have six children and live in Provo, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 11, 2008
I decided to edit my review of this book as I feel the story behind my reading it is important to share also. I have been struggling with a few different issues and hadn't told anyone about them. I went to Deseret book to pick up some things for primary and saw this book and said to myself "this is exactly what I need" I wasn't financially in a position where I could get it though. That was about two weeks ago. Two days ago my visiting teacher showed up out of the blue with a book to lend me. The note on the cover said, "Emily, I picked this up at the store to read on the plane (shes going to london) I got another book as well. I think you will really enjoy reading it so I will take the other one, take as long as you need with it". I burst into tears of course. I hadn't mentioned the book to her at all. I know she was inspired to bring it over. And I know that I needed to read its contents. I am so grateful to have read this book. It is inspirational and uplifting and I hope everyone I know will read it! If you have ever wondered about the gospel or had unanswered questions and are searching for answers to some of those really tough and unanswerable questions, this is the book for you.
January 8, 2023
I really like to take classes from Robert Millet, and usually enjoy his books. His way of dealing with doubt is solid, but not applicable in all cases. There have been many more scholars of various faiths who have entered the arena of dealing with doubts since the time this book was written, and I have found more satisfying takes on the subject. For me, the bottom line is to realize you don't know everything, be patient, love those who seem to perennially struggle. That is about all I know so far. I hope to gain more wisdom when I grow up. (I'm only 70 years old.)
January 17, 2024
I just finished reading “Holding Fast” by Robert L. Millet
Quick Take: Quick and easy read. A great reminder that questions are both normal and necessary. Will provide relief for those struggling with struggling.
Longer Take:
Robert L. Millet is one of my favorite LDS authors (Check out “Men of Influence,” “Men of Valor”, and ”Men of Covenant.” They’re all excellent). So a book on faith and doubt from one of my favorites was a no-brainer.
“Holding Fast” does not strive to answer questions disciples of Jesus Christ may have that cause doubt. But instead, Millet looks at what doubt is from a gospel context. He shares how he has dealt with doubt and how the scriptures teach us to do so. He reminds readers that there is nothing wrong with having questions and not understanding everything. He stresses that most revelation from God to his children has been rooted in questions.
Someone who is currently overwhelmed by doubt may at times be put off by Millet’s frankness. But I could feel his sincerity in wanting to help those who are genuinely seeking to find their faith. I thoroughly enjoy his writing style and would recommend this book.
Some of My Favourite Quotes:
“A testimony of the gospel is a precious and priceless commodity; indeed, it is a necessary weapon in one’s spiritual arsenal against the adversary.”
“Asking questions can and should be a useful and productive enterprise whereby we gain knowledge, understanding, perspective, confidence, assurance, and boldness. … Questions, when faced earnestly and with the proper spirit, are spiritually healthy.”
“…there is no sin, no shame, and no stigma associated with having unresolved questions. Our Father in Heaven is not displeased with us when we wonder. Our Savior does not frown upon us when we wrestle with intellectual or spiritual dilemmas. And leaders of the Church do not consider us a defective disciple or less of a Latter-day Saint when we don’t have all the answers.”
Quoting Alister McGrath: “The simple fact of life is that everything worth believing in goes beyond what we can be absolutely sure about.”
“God our Father does not expect perfect knowledge on the part of those who love and serve him; he who knows all things knows that we do not. What he does ask of us is not to surrender to our doubts. What he does call upon us to do is to pursue answers to questions, with trust in him and his anointed servants, and not to allow those questions to fester and morph into doubts. This exercise is not just about the intellect; it is also about the will. This challenge to deal faithfully with doubt is not about blind obedience; it is very much about trusting the Almighty and learning for this time and season to view all things with eyes of faith.”
Quoting Elder Boyd K. Packer: “…faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed, there is no room for it.”
Quoting Elder Richard G. Scott: “Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. … You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust.”
Recounting the words of Elder Harold B. Lee to him as a young missionary: “Elders and Sisters, I sense that not all of you have the kind of testimony that you would like to have. I sense that some of you are a bit hesitant to say with boldness, ‘I know.’ Well, let me say this: If you don’t know for sure, then you lean on my testimony, for I do know.”
“Though my witness is independent, I have been leaning on the testimonies and talents and insights of good people for a long time. I still do. I plan to continue doing so.”
“Putting hard questions on the shelf is not a way of escaping. It is not burying our heads in the sand and pretending there is no problem. It is not living in a form of spiritual denial. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that God’s ways are not our ways and that his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9). It is an act of tender surrender to “believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9).”
“To put things on the shelf is to exercise spiritual discipline, to show divine restraint. It is to refuse to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is to affirm what we believe and to admit that there are, for the time being, some things that do not make sense, that do not add up, and that need further work.”
“My recommendation to someone wavering in testimony is to expend the same time and effort to rekindle the flame of faith as was spent in gaining a witness in the first place. If you once came to know the message is true by the power of the Spirit, have you spent as much time on your knees recently, in the spirit of fasting, as you did then?”
“Truly, our faith is worth fighting for.”
www.lookforthegood.me
Quick Take: Quick and easy read. A great reminder that questions are both normal and necessary. Will provide relief for those struggling with struggling.
Longer Take:
Robert L. Millet is one of my favorite LDS authors (Check out “Men of Influence,” “Men of Valor”, and ”Men of Covenant.” They’re all excellent). So a book on faith and doubt from one of my favorites was a no-brainer.
“Holding Fast” does not strive to answer questions disciples of Jesus Christ may have that cause doubt. But instead, Millet looks at what doubt is from a gospel context. He shares how he has dealt with doubt and how the scriptures teach us to do so. He reminds readers that there is nothing wrong with having questions and not understanding everything. He stresses that most revelation from God to his children has been rooted in questions.
Someone who is currently overwhelmed by doubt may at times be put off by Millet’s frankness. But I could feel his sincerity in wanting to help those who are genuinely seeking to find their faith. I thoroughly enjoy his writing style and would recommend this book.
Some of My Favourite Quotes:
“A testimony of the gospel is a precious and priceless commodity; indeed, it is a necessary weapon in one’s spiritual arsenal against the adversary.”
“Asking questions can and should be a useful and productive enterprise whereby we gain knowledge, understanding, perspective, confidence, assurance, and boldness. … Questions, when faced earnestly and with the proper spirit, are spiritually healthy.”
“…there is no sin, no shame, and no stigma associated with having unresolved questions. Our Father in Heaven is not displeased with us when we wonder. Our Savior does not frown upon us when we wrestle with intellectual or spiritual dilemmas. And leaders of the Church do not consider us a defective disciple or less of a Latter-day Saint when we don’t have all the answers.”
Quoting Alister McGrath: “The simple fact of life is that everything worth believing in goes beyond what we can be absolutely sure about.”
“God our Father does not expect perfect knowledge on the part of those who love and serve him; he who knows all things knows that we do not. What he does ask of us is not to surrender to our doubts. What he does call upon us to do is to pursue answers to questions, with trust in him and his anointed servants, and not to allow those questions to fester and morph into doubts. This exercise is not just about the intellect; it is also about the will. This challenge to deal faithfully with doubt is not about blind obedience; it is very much about trusting the Almighty and learning for this time and season to view all things with eyes of faith.”
Quoting Elder Boyd K. Packer: “…faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed, there is no room for it.”
Quoting Elder Richard G. Scott: “Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. … You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust.”
Recounting the words of Elder Harold B. Lee to him as a young missionary: “Elders and Sisters, I sense that not all of you have the kind of testimony that you would like to have. I sense that some of you are a bit hesitant to say with boldness, ‘I know.’ Well, let me say this: If you don’t know for sure, then you lean on my testimony, for I do know.”
“Though my witness is independent, I have been leaning on the testimonies and talents and insights of good people for a long time. I still do. I plan to continue doing so.”
“Putting hard questions on the shelf is not a way of escaping. It is not burying our heads in the sand and pretending there is no problem. It is not living in a form of spiritual denial. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that God’s ways are not our ways and that his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9). It is an act of tender surrender to “believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9).”
“To put things on the shelf is to exercise spiritual discipline, to show divine restraint. It is to refuse to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is to affirm what we believe and to admit that there are, for the time being, some things that do not make sense, that do not add up, and that need further work.”
“My recommendation to someone wavering in testimony is to expend the same time and effort to rekindle the flame of faith as was spent in gaining a witness in the first place. If you once came to know the message is true by the power of the Spirit, have you spent as much time on your knees recently, in the spirit of fasting, as you did then?”
“Truly, our faith is worth fighting for.”
www.lookforthegood.me
November 29, 2023
Wonderful
This book answered so many questions for me. Having been inactive for a number of years, though I attended church, I was not there in my heart. This book has sparked a greater desire to rediscover the truths I know I know. I was sad to finish it. I wanted it to go on and on.
This book answered so many questions for me. Having been inactive for a number of years, though I attended church, I was not there in my heart. This book has sparked a greater desire to rediscover the truths I know I know. I was sad to finish it. I wanted it to go on and on.
December 30, 2014
This is a wonderful quick read by Robert Millet that addresses doubts and how to best deal with them. He is heavy on the intellectual side instead of the "blind faith" side, but focuses mostly on how you have to choose to have faith--it isn't necessarily something that comes when your doubts are gone. He addresses the danger in letting your doubts overcome you, and he seems to cover (lightly) everyone's different reasons for doubting. Some parts were a little condescending, but the book would be a wonderful read for anyone stuck in the darkness that a faith transition causes. I would like to have it on my bookshelf for when my kids go through phases of doubt.
February 27, 2009
Robert Millet shares some profound insights about dealing with doubt, despair, and difficulties as we seek to maintain faith in God. He writes, "God has all the answers. We just need to ask the right questions." He emphasizes the importance of prayer as we seek to know if the Book of Mormon is true, if Joseph Smith is a prophet, and and if the Church is true. He challenges us to learn by study and faith the answers to our concerns, and to be in a place of purity and obedience so that we can receive answers through the Spirit.
March 7, 2009
We live in complicated times with many challenges to our faith. I appreciated Robert Millet's approach in this book. I think any honest person struggles at one time or another with believing. Millet opens up his heart regarding his own struggles with faith and talks about how he has been able to overcome them. I found it very honest and sincere.
July 11, 2015
I loved this book... It allowed me to take a great big sigh... So often I feel like I'm the only one who ever struggles with stuff, and sometimes I wonder if the way I deal with unanswered questions could be done in a more productive way - so I enjoyed his honesty, his reflections, and his approach... Read it in a day - (o.k. - I was at the cabin) - but it was a quick read...
July 7, 2014
Robert Millet said all of us from time to time have doubts but we need not let them remain. If there are any that would like their faith to be unshakable,you can make it happen. Pray for it is one way. We can rely on others faith also until our own is stronger.
If there is anyone that has doubts even once in awhile, I would suggest this book.
If there is anyone that has doubts even once in awhile, I would suggest this book.
February 8, 2018
My faith is somewhat fluid at times and I've found that my questions need to be shelved on occasion. I loved the truth and insight shared in this book and I hope I never forget the experiences that have shaped my faith and changed my life. Millet reminds us of what we know and helps us to cope with concerns while maintaining peace in our soul.
December 28, 2008
This is sound doctrinal food for the spirit. I would recommend it to everyone who has ever struggled with any doubts. Actually, I would recommend it to everyone period because we will all have times of questions and doubts.
June 19, 2009
What a great book! As doubt enters into our lives, this is a book that will shore us up. I read it on the recommendation of my husband, and am very glad that I did. Everyone person of faith (and doubt) should read this book.
May 2, 2011
This was a quick, easy read with some good points, nothing Earth shattering or anything, but enjoyable. There were a few take-away messages that I really enjoyed, but I won't spoil the highlights. :-)
June 20, 2014
A reminder that "by their fruits ye shall know them." What brings peace? Who knows best? Where should we put our trust? In He who ... how did it go. He who is in charge of "cosmic clocks and calendars." He sees the end from the beginning. I choose to exercise faith and trust in Him.
September 29, 2008
I tend to ask a lot of questions which sometimes feed my doubts. I read this entire book in a few hours because I couldn't put it down! A must-read for anyone with occasional doubts!
Want to Read
November 24, 2008LeeAnn, is this written by the Robert Millet in your ward?
January 2, 2009
I really liked the book. I liked the statement that faith is not just a feeling but a decision. Faith is always an action. It's common sense thinking.
March 5, 2009
This a great book for someone who occasionally has doubts and also a great book for those sure in their testimony. I am very glad I read this book.
April 11, 2009
a book about holding to the iron rod. a good read.
May 17, 2009
This book reminds us of the importance of remembering how you arrived at your testimony and affirms that having doubts is part of the process of remaining faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
July 8, 2009
I love the author's style of writing, and always learn from his way of teaching. He is uplifting and encouraging.
August 3, 2009
Excellent book, but I'm a fan of Brother Millett. May questions, but NO Doubts!!!!
April 27, 2010
Learned an incredible amount about developing your personal faith while letting it expand and adjust with your own personal experiences and progression in life.
September 27, 2010
This was very helpful.
February 28, 2012
This was a well done book with good insights. I particularly enjoyed the quotes I had never heard before and Millet's personal experiences.
May 1, 2012
EVERYONE should read this book!! Especially anyone considering a mission.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews