Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One's Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt

by Michael R. Ash

In today's Internet world, an increasing number of Latter-day Saints are encountering anti-Mormon material. In the absence of ready answers, LDS-critical claims can be unsettling or create doubt. Some arguments have caused a few members—even active members with strong testimonies—to lose their faith. Shaken Faith Syndrome explores how we can be both critical thinkers and devout believers. Misconceptions that can make us vulnerable to shaken faith are dispelled, and some of the most frequent anti-LDS claims are refuted. Shaken Faith Syndrome invites us to strengthen our testimonies and intellectual foundations as we develop a more mature appreciation for prophets and revelation as well as a greater understanding of the inherent limitations of science, history, and even the scriptures.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Mormonism, Philosophy, Self Help

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sharman Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rewrote my review tonight:

I actually read the 2nd edition of this book, but it isn't in the Goodreads database yet. Shaken Faith Syndrome is a must-read for those Mormons who are uncomfortable with the pat "Sunday School" answers to difficult questions. I really appreciate Michael Ash's thoughtful and compassionate contribution to the cause. It needs to be shouted from the housetops that faithful questioning is NOT an oxymoron!

Some people might be tempted to jump into the "juicy" stuff in Part II, but Part I of the book is soooo important to read, before you get into the details/specific questions you may have. Ash makes it clear that when we come upon distressing history, teachings, or practices we need to step back and examine our own ways of thinking and assumptions--before we make judgements about touchy issues. If our views are so rigid and brittle that they break with the least amount of pressure, we might want to reconsider those views. Rigid ways of thinking rarely take into account the messiness of real life.

In reading this book, I have come to the conclusion that this very young church, in the big scheme of things, is still working out the kinks. The expectations we have of our leaders and the institution of the church can often be unrealistic. Besides that, it would help to remember that real history is very hard to pin down. We may think we have all the pertinent information we need to make judgements on the past (or even the present), but that would be a bold assumption on our part. We really should not be presuming we "know" such things. Going along with that, we have to recognize our unhelpful tendency to judge past beliefs and behaviors by the standards of 2013. Ash's book can help us to be more open-minded and even generous in our feelings toward the fascinating and perplexing world of Mormonism.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember talking to a woman many years ago about the novel "Saints" by Orson Scott Card. She said that she hadn't liked it much because it portrayed Joseph Smith too much as normal man when he was so much more. "Shaken Faith Syndrome" shows that that line of thinking can actually be dangerous to a testimony.

"Some LDS have noted with amusement that the official position of Catholicism is that of an infallible pope, yet few lay Catholics really seem to believe it, while conversely, the official position of Mormonism is that of a fallible prophet, yet few Mormons really seem to believe it."

The book talks about the psychology of belief and doubt, always emphasizing the need for a spiritual witness of truth, but helping the reader understand what kinds of things are likely to go through a person's mind who has encountered information that challenges their beliefs.

The book also addresses specific challenging topics in Mormonism, and addresses a lot of questions that I've personally had. While the author doesn't go too deeply into most subjects, he usually goes far enough to point you in a logical direction for belief. I'd recommend it highly if you're troubled by questions about church history and doctrines that critics frequently advance.

Prophets ultimately are a product of their times, and are subject to mistakes and incorrect opinions even as they guide us ever closer to the truth as the gospel is revealed to them and us, line upon line and precept upon precept.

[Tim Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started blogging about LDS doctrine and issues a few years back I did not expect to get a lot of comments right away. After all, nobody knew about my blog yet. I was just another blog among millions. So I happily wrote all kinds of essays about things that had been on my mind for several years. Then I started promoting my blog and the number of comments picked up.

I enjoy reading the comments. Most of them are from my fellow LDS bloggers. We read each other’s material and provide feedback. It’s like a peer review system among bloggers. For the most part the comments are complimentary and encouraging. In other words, the writers of the comments either agree with my points of view or express understanding of what I have written.

A believing approach

Of course not everybody agrees with me. I am a very conservative, traditional Latter-day Saint, a typical Southern Californian with an easy-going, laid-back approach to life. I feel like I have always been blessed because of my faith and my participation in church. I tend to model my approach to life according to what I see and hear from church leaders, both local and general.

My faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has served me well. It brings me happiness and satisfaction with the answers it provides to life’s challenges and the mysteries of eternity. For me, the counsel to constantly feed our testimonies has been sound. It works. Perhaps I have been blessed with the gift of not doubting, but I feel secure in my knowledge of the gospel.

Those who do not believe

When a reader disagrees with me, I like to initiate a dialog to determine if they perhaps did not understand my points. Sometimes that proves to be the case. Our differences are then resolved and we go merrily on our way. And then there are those who flat out tell me that I am wrong. They claim that my faith is false and that I am not really happy because I have been deceived.

Some of those who tell me I’m wrong are disaffected Mormons while others are evangelists for their Christian faith. Being a returned missionary I felt confident in my ability to deal with them. Usually after a few exchanges of comments we could come to at least acknowledge each other’s point of view. But how do you respond to someone who adamantly wants to prove you wrong?

And those who attack

I have in my library several books dedicated to dealing with those who fight against the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I have listed them at the end of this essay. Just this week I finished reading a new one that has proven to be tremendously helpful to me. I know it has been out a while so I am not the first to mention it but I learned some things that I would like to share.

In case you didn’t know it, there are people out there who make it their practice to troll the blogs of faithful LDS members and leave disparaging comments. I suspect that they are becoming just a little bit dismayed by all the good we are doing. One of them wrote on his blog, “What’s up with Mormons and blogging? It’s as if their leaders told them to put out a good public image.”

Shaken Faith Syndrome

The book is called Shaken Faith Syndrome and it is published by FAIR. The author, Mike Ash, has been involved in LDS apologetics for many years. It is divided into two parts. The first 108 pages contain a series of essays addressing the whole idea of dealing with criticism and doubt. I especially liked chapter seven: Betrayal and Church “Cover-Up”. I have seen that firsthand here.

On an early essay here at Latter-day Commentary I wrote that I had visited a few LDS discussion boards and was amazed at the number of people writing that they didn’t know about some piece of history. They expressed shock when they discovered it and then outrage when they decided that the church had somehow failed them because they didn’t know about this historical fact.

No church cover-up

The example provided was that Joseph Smith entered into polygamous relationships in his life. It still amazes me the number of people who don’t know or believe this. As I wrote in my earlier essay, I learned this in seminary and thought everybody else growing up in the church did too. It’s not just converts who go through this. Lifelong members have had the same experience.

So is the church to blame because we don’t know about Joseph’s plural wives? I have never felt that there was a cover-up of any kind. If there was, then it was unintentional. Sure, some of the early histories were written to only provide a faith-promoting view. What’s wrong with that? The shock and sense of betrayal are not what I would consider a faithful or believing response.

Unrealistic prophetic expectations

In other words, if we are serious about our gospel scholarship, it is inevitable that we are going to discover some not-so-pleasant things about our history. This fits perfectly with the idea that the Lord reveals things to us line upon line, precept upon precept. For some, learning difficult things about our history becomes a major test in their life. I sympathize and yet see this as immature.

I don’t mean that in a disparaging way. I simply mean that it is a normal process of growing up in the gospel to learn new truths and to change our beliefs accordingly. Prophets are not perfect. It is unrealistic to expect them to know everything, especially in those areas which they have not studied. Can a prophet express his opinion and it not be the way things actually are? Of course!

Amateur LDS apologetics

The rest of the book provides great responses to specific anti-Mormon claims. I wish I had this book when I was dealing with my own antagonistic visitor who wanted to contest my essay on the Book of Abraham. There is a real talent to apologetics and I applaud those who can do it well. I suspect that most new LDS bloggers like me could use a course to develop the skill.

Mike’s book is well written, thought-provoking and for me, a little bit eye-opening. No, reason alone cannot answer all life’s questions, but it would be better if LDS bloggers, and all members for that matter, were more prepared with reasonable answers to difficult questions from our readers who do not have the advantage of a secure witness borne of the spirit of gospel truths.

Summary and conclusion

My antagonistic visitor derided me and claimed that I always retreated into an unreasonable bubble of a testimony when I could not answer his challenges to his satisfaction. Not having experienced personal revelation himself, he could not relate to the idea that we can and should obtain knowledge of spiritual things through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost in prayer.

I normally don’t finish my essays with a testimony but in dealing with apostate attacks, there really is no other way. I know from personal revelatory experience that God can and does send his spirit to teach us things that we can learn in no other way. We can stand as witnesses to those things that are true even though we were not eyewitnesses at the time. The effect is the same.

For more information:

1. Shaken Faith Syndrome, Michael R. Ash, 2008, Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
2. Take Heed That Ye Be Not Deceived, Richard I. Winwood, 1992, self-published but now available electronically on the FAIR website
3. Guess Who Wants to Have You for Lunch? Alan Denison & D.L. Barksdale, 1999, FAIR
4. One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions, Stephen W. Gibson, 1995, Horizon Book Publishers, available online at LightPlanet
5. They Lie in Wait to Deceive, volumes 1-4, Robert L. & Rosemary Brown, 1981-86, Brownsworth Publishing Company, available at FAIR

Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2009/0...

[Chris Power · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book but just couldn't. Quite simply it serves more as an ego-stroker for the true believer as it lifts them on a pedestal while assigning those who doubt or have left the church the label of "enemy." This book is filled with confirmation bias and the examples provided in the book paint those who follow the church in a good light and those who do not as silly or ridiculous. Also, it follows the same lines as so many FAIR articles and publications before, and that's by using the "what if" statements as evidence when they really aren't. My advice would be to find a book that isn't so heavily biased and willing to stroke your ego; find one that will actually force you to think critically. If you couldn't tell from my review, it left a fairly unpleasant taste in my mouth.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're familiar with the works of Hugh Nibley then this book will seem like a review of similar topics. Reading these type of books seems to reinforce to me that perhaps what we need to survive in this increasingly complex world is more of a simple faith in the Gospel.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of friends have recently recommended this book to me, because I hate the phrase, “If X is true, then it’s all true.” That bothers me, because it makes me feel like if I can’t reconcile every single piece of the puzzle, then I have to chuck the whole thing. This book did remind us several times that prophets are human and susceptible to error, but then he would go on to defend every word they ever said. I guess I wasn’t looking for someone to try to prove it to me. Sometimes the proof was so out on a limb that I felt like it made his case weaker rather than stronger. I guess what I was hoping for in an all-in or all-out religion was for someone to say, “Just because X is true, you can still stay here even if Y and Z don’t add up for you.” Yes, we are told all the time that doubt is okay, but then we are always told how to overcome it, and then guilt and shame set it in when you follow the prescribed method for conquering doubt and doubt remains. Joseph Smith had doubt and asked for his own answers. Brigham Young talked about how the members of the church had too much faith in him and did not inquire for themselves to get answers. We say we celebrate doubting and asking, but then when people doubt and ask, we point them to the prophet and shush them up so they don’t rock the boat.

I guess apologetics is just not what I was looking for. I don’t want proof. I want people to make room for each other and to take the shame out of having doubt.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not love the title, couldn't we just go with "shaken faith" without it being a syndrome? Otherwise well worth my time. The author examines many questions that frequently arise in the LDS (Mormon) faith, by critics and those seeking answers to legitimate questions, backed with both LDS and Non-LDS scholarly research. I doubt anyone already highly critical of the church would change their mind based on the author's collection of research. It will likely be faith affirming for members while providing some good answers for those in between who may be struggling. I liked how the author tackles so many issues head on, presenting criticism and countering with research, usually from multiple sources, but does not hesitate to say "we really don't know." And sometimes we really don't know because history, no matter how many journals or letters there may be, even solid archaeological evidence is always going to be subjective. Even eye witnesses with the best intentions can be unreliable (bring up a memory at any family gathering and see if all who were there agree exactly on the details). Occasionally the author puts forth his opinion for or against certain theories, giving his reasons behind why he thinks one theory might be more or less viable. This book did not really change anything for me but I did find it interesting and informative.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. So many times as Latter-Day Saints, we are faced with "disturbing" facts about Joseph Smith and other historical events in our religion (Joseph Smith was a polygamist, treasure-hunter, mason, inconsistencies in Book of Mormon, prophecies not coming true, etc.). All these "disturbing" facts are, in fact, true. But many of them are taken out of context and misunderstood. That is where doubt creeps in. In this book, Michael R. Ash identifies these "potential testimony crushers" and explains them. This book is a great way to get informed without reading all the anti-mormon content.

The bottom line: either Joseph Smith was a liar and everything about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is false, or Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and everything is true. I firmly believe the latter. And let's remember that, while Joseph Smith was a remarkable prophet, he was human and made mistakes. But we can't let that shake our testimonies.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dishonest and illogical. This book was frustrating from start to finish. Many of Ash's arguments can be turned right back around on himself and his brand of apologetics. At the beginning of one chapter he discusses a talk by Ronald Poelman and lauds it, but fails to mention that the church heavily edited it and reshot video of it to completely change its message - the same message that Ash was lauding. If you're looking for more intelligent and empathetic apologetics, look to the Bushmans and Givenses.

[Colleen Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book not because of personal doubts but because I wanted to better understand the Mormon apologist movement. Michael Ash delivered. He is a key player in this movement and has put together a virtual handbook of defense of the faith on two dozen controversial topics. The book is organized well and written smartly. It'll be a good book to go back to repeatedly.

[Evan Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apologetics and intellectual debate on spiritual matters are not interesting to me personally, but I'm glad that there are people who do make headway in it. Ash does a good job of categorizing methods of attack and defense, with their asumptions and logical fallacies. The first half of the book that covered these general strategies was more interesting to me than the second half where they are applied to specific issues. There is always a gap between evidence and conclusion, no matter how far an issue is dissected. Faith alone bridges the gap. In response to a logic-based attack, people overwhelmingly prefer to keep their original conclusions to satisfy their pride and unwillingness to change, and justify their faith. I'm glad to see that apologists accept the challenge to defend against attacks to the church, doctrines, and history (and do a great job of it too), but for most attacks, keeping the higher ground and staying out of it seems a better strategy to me.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have developed an interest in Apologetics and found this book to really speak to that. The first half of the book is meant to be read from beginning to end. It discusses “de-conversion” and how one may lose a testimony. It also looks at in depth how to examine all kinds of opinion, history, and beliefs and biases of critics as well as believers- I liked this part best. He uses a TON of references you can also search through.
The 2nd half of the book deals with specific issues/topics and does not need to be read in a particular order. He examines things like plural marriage, the temple, the kinder hook plates, race and the priesthood,the book of Abraham... Also great information here.
I love learning how to support my faith (spiritual convictions) with rational arguments and especially taking a look at both sides- very enlightening!

[Brad Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a reasonable support of apologetics in general, as well as a good foundation for understanding some of the more difficult faith challenges related specifically to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It doesn't pretend to answer every question, but it does deal with a great variety, and also helps one understand that everyone brings their context and biases to bear when considering such questions, be they critics or apologists.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a great primer on common attacks on the LDS faith. Most of the sections were great--well reasoned and compelling. However, I found the sections on the Book of Abraham and polygamy to be lacking.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this book. I had been aware of it for several years. I appreciate the author's research, sources, end notes, and index. I feel like I can go to those things when I want to know more, and research further.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, though I don't think the three-word title accurately captures the tone and purpose of the book. Gives a good framework with which to think about these topics, and a nice overview of some of the work in this area. Wish there was a more current version.

[Cindy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Brandon Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for anyone, whether your faith is shaken or not. I always find myself amazed at how sensible answers to tough questions are, and how much evidence there is for the truth of the gospel.

[Debbie Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a husband as a lawyer who is ever critical about everything and analyzing everything makes religion tricky. There are always questions and intense religious coversations between the two of us. I needed to do some more research into the lds/mormon faith. I grew up LDS but they do not go over a lot of the details that anti-mormon people throw out. The purpose of church is to grow closer to God and understand our purpose here not to review anti-mormon literature. So I understand why some things are not brought up on Sundays. There is not enough time and there are other things to be focused on that will bring greater happiness.

There are people out there that need more explanations and are searching for answers. This book helped me strengthen my testimony and gave me some background information to share with my less active husband. I really am not a fan of the title of this book, but am a fan of the contents.

The author is honest and cites all of his sources. He discusses how people deal with disagreements in religion, unrealistic expectations of a modern day prophet (no.. they are not perfect and are learning just like us), confusing tradition with doctrine, biased opinions, book of mormon witnesses, anachronisms, plural marriage, kinderhook plates, seer stones, and blacks holding the priesthood.

The true test of knowing if the gospel is true is testing the hypothesis that God exists and he has a plan for us. If you have made up your mind and are not willing to pray or make a leap of faith to test this hypothesis there is no amount of proof that persuade you. How many ancient people have seen angels and witnessed miracles and still denied the existance of Jesus and God?

If your testimony is on shaky ground or you have family/friends with difficult questions then this book is for you.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Brother Ash could have mustered a stronger closing, I would have bumped this important book up to 4 stars. Instead, his arguments just kind of petered out; it was as if he just got bored and decided to stop writing!

Nevertheless, I believe this text to be an vital addition to the fairly small, but I pray, growing list of LDS apologetics literature. The issues Ash addresses are vital for Latter- day Saints to understand in much greater knowledge that they currently do, and we must not only decide where we stand on these issues, but how to defend our faith. This is not the day and age one can simply have a belief system based on their parents' or grandparents' faith. Many topics that Ash discusses are things that do, indeed, seem to shake some people to their foundations, unnecessarily so, I believe. If our mindset and our faith is focused where it should be- on the Savior, and our understanding of the human condition, that all mankind is fallen and fallible, then the sometimes foolish and ignorant things that men (and women) do, even when we feel they should be "better," doesn't need to damage testimonies in the way it often does. There was only ever one perfect man to walk this Earth, and Joseph Smith wasn't he, any more than was Noah, Moses, Abraham, Peter, Paul, or John!

[Kevin Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got both editions. I just completed the second edition, which has a much better cover. Mike is very well informed, up-to-date on all the usual controversies, and provides useful insights throughout. Basically, you could use it as a one-volume jump start to get acculturated to current issues and responses in LDS debates. He provides good sources for further reading as well.

Now and then, I could have added something to what he said, but just as often, he adds something to what I think. We're about the same age, and have read much of the same material over the same span of time. He does quote me once.

Without attempting to do so, Mike's book provides a very useful contrast with things like the recent Letter to a CES Director, which takes a far more superficial and much less documented approach to things. If Othello, for example, had followed Mike's example in investigating questions, Desdemona would be fine, and the play a romantic comedy, rather than a tragedy.

Good work Mike.

[Brandon Minster · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource for responses to common anti-Mormon critiques. The first third of the book outlines the thought processes that leave members open to "faith-shaking" items, and the second two-thirds of the book respond to individual criticisms.
What kept the book from getting five stars? An unacceptably-high number of typos. Considering that this was a second edition, it was even more disappointing. I'd think twice before pulling this book out as a reference in a discussion with someone else, and that's a shame, because the material is very good and useful.
A more nit-picking criticism: in referring to the works of others, it reads a little more like a church article than a scholarly book. I'd like the first reference to a person to include his title and name, and any pertinent information about his job and church status (the nature of the book invites identifying LDS and non-LDS scholars as such), and then subsequent references should just include a last name.

[Reid Litchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be excellent. Although I think it is unlikely that it will persuade any entrenched adversary of the LDS church to change sides, this probably was not his intent. This book is written to believers. It raises plausible explanations and counter-arguments to those used by critics, which often go unchallenged. Be prepared to learn things about the Church that aren't part of the condensed curriculum that is taught in Gospel Doctrine. Ash uses his tremendous fund of knowledge about these issues to address them in a more balanced way than is typically encountered online. He states from the outset that he is an apologist, but backs his position up with more than the usual quips and come-backs. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, no matter where they sit on the spectrum of faith vs. doubt.

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is a must read for every Mormon who wants to better understand the difference between "doctrine", "policy", and "custom". Understanding "infallibility" in the context of latter-day prophets, who have consistently and emphatically denied their infallibility is also very critical to understanding.

Our faith must be founded on spiritual experience and personal prayer and one's own inspiration. Ash helps in understanding conflicting voices out there. Questions and doubts are part of the growth process. Joseph went to the grove for just that reason. We need to visit the grove more often and not simply rely on what others tell us whether in Sunday School, or in our personal reading and conversation.

Relying solely on the opinions of others is a good way to get ourselves confused and troubled. Truth is out there. Find it yourself from the actual Source of all truth.

[Genet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with another reviewer that I liked this book in spite of its awful title. The word "syndrome" somehow implies a disease and it find it distasteful. And I read the 2nd edition of this book which thankfully has a different cover - what terrible pictures. Ash confronts about 16 anti-Mormon arguments and answers them thoughtfully and doctrinally, in most cases pretty convincingly. I found the first half of the book particularly insightful in looking at how we sometimes have mistaken paradigms that can trip us when we study the complicated history of the church in more depth. Non-LDS readers and those who have left the church will not be persuaded by his arguments, but Mormons may find his insights thought-provoking and worth further study and inquiry as I did.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the sources and logic used by critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Presented in two sections, the first addresses ways of thinking such as biases and assumptions. Part II addresses particular aspects in Church history and the Book of Mormon that critics attack and then addresses their arguments with counterpoints.

This is important material for all Latter-Day Saints to be aware of.

I really dislike the cover art that pictures weeping, distraught people. The title leaves something to be desired as well.

[Kimberly Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note: I didn't read this due to some faith-shattering crisis. I simply enjoy reading LDS apologetic articles and essays.

(Want some good reading? Check out FairMormon. Lots of good stuff there.)

That being said, the book was well thought out and gave me some new insights and ideas. My favorite one? The idea that the Book of Mormon 'horses' could actually have been tapirs. Mind blown.

Anyway - it's a good read if you like the topic or if you want more of a scholarly-based read on the religion.

[Aleisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I can already tell you it's losing one star right off the bat for the stupid title--shame really since the book is so interesting. I'm a sucker for books that explore the scientific basis of the tenets of my faith and this one is no different. While I'm aware that, ultimately, it doesn't matter it's still fascinating to me that modern science continues to, unintentionally, back up my religious beliefs.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I found this book to be very helpful. The insights provided by this book are most excellent, and are useful weather you have a struggling or a strong testimony. While the tittle may sound questionable the content is solely I favour of the church. I found explanations and even new was to ask questions I had not considered before. I think this book will be exceptionally useful for years to come. When I can get it in hardcover I most certainly will.

[Brent Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept hearing how helpful this book was to different people-
So I finally got a copy and read through it.
Sorry to say, it's not quite my wave length. I can see how it could be extremely helpful to others though, primarily as an induction to nuanced thinking and away from fundamentalist/black-white approaches.
In that sense it's a great book - thank you Mike Ash!