Faith Is Not Blind

by Bruce C. Hafen, Marie K. Hafen

We often encounter unexpected questions and complexities that can challenge our faith. Faith Is Not Blind offers fresh concepts and tools that will help readers learn from these experiences, rather than feeling disillusioned by them.

Award-winning authors Bruce and Marie Hafen draw upon a lifetime of experience in Church service, college teaching, and parenthood to help readers embrace both the spiritual and the intellectual aspects of the gospel. Their approachable tone and real-life examples acknowledge complicated gospel issues, yet clearly and gently guide readers through the steps necessary to work through complexity, develop informed testimonies, and become filled with the faith that comes from knowing God.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Church, Christian, Faith, Spirituality

136 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Bruce C. Hafen has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1996, having served recently as Area President of the Australia/New Zealand area. Earlier he was president of Ricks College, Dean of the BYU Law School, and the number two administrator (Provost) at BYU. Elder Hafen is known to Deseret Book readers for his frequent Ensign articles and his bestselling trilogy on the Atonement, which includes the award-winning book The Broken Heart.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to regular members looking to inoculate themselves against potentially faith shaking information, or for people who have stumbled across troubling information and do not want to research more but would like their faith fortified. DO NOT GIVE THIS TO FRIENDS/FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LEFT OR HAVE GONE DOWN A SERIOUS RABBIT HOLE OF DOUBT. IT WILL NOT HELP. If I would have read it in the middle of my spiral it would have pushed me farther away. In my opinion Planted by Patrick Mason is a much better book for family members to understand what is happening and for doubters like me to navigate staying. moreover I believe this book could damage family relationships between the unshaken and the doubters like me.

PS the treatment of the priesthood and temple ban is not a fair treatment to current historical evidence fwiw

[Paul Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful ideas with application beyond faith. Embracing simplicity is good, seeking to understand complexity is necessary, and the harmony between the two bring richness, perspective, and balance into our experiences.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started off slow for me.....I was seriously wondering if I was going to finish it. But I'm happy to say that I ended up really enjoying this one. The authors had some original ideas on faith, seeking answers, and testimonies. When talking about questions one might have about their religion, the authors emphasized how web surfing for answers, while it isn't a bad idea per se, one needs to exercise caution. I thought that was great advice, because you can find all kinds of opinions on the internet, some good, some not, and then everything in between. For most faiths, scriptures and prayer is encouraged. So 4 stars.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked some of the thoughts in this book. Especially about not staying in the cynical stage of a faith journey. I’ve often equated skepticism with intelligence and i think that is a path to ignoring the awe and beauty of the world. I definitely want to be able to critically think while still being opened to the joys of wonder.

I did feel that this book fell into the trap that books of this vein often do and that is this: there is a spoken and unspoken way to “doubt correctly.” The stories of people who doubted “incorrectly” ended when they left the church. The stories of people who doubted “correctly” ended when they stayed in the church. That felt really reductive for me.

I think that spiritual journeys are vast and wonderful and might take people through various religions. I definitely don’t know how to answer the religion question. But I felt like there was some reductivity here that made me feel like this book wasn’t insightful for where I am personally at in my spiritual journey.

Because spiritual journeys are so personal, many other people will read this book and fine exactly what they need, I’m sure. And I’m genuinely so happy for them.

[Joe Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and had I found it seven years ago, it would have got five stars. As it is, it was more of a reminder for me than a revelation - sharing principles I've since learned on my own through study, thought, and prayer. But it's still so good and anyone who has questions or concerns or doubts about their faith should real this book.

The main premise is based on Oliver Wendell Holmes's quote, " I would not give a fig for the simplicity [on] this side of complexity. But I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity." With this backdrop the Hafens then introduce a three stage model of faith.

Stage One is a simple, almost naive belief. The world is black and white to someone in Stage One. Their faith is innocent and untested. Stage Two introduces complexity. Through research, experience, and learning, the individual in this stage realizes a gap exists between the ideals of their faith and the reality of the world. The temptation of Stage Two is to return to the immature simplicity of Stage One or to abandon one's faith. For those who continue to wrestle with questions while holding to faith, there is Stage Three - the simplicity beyond complexity.

This model echos truths I've learned, namely that ambiguity is okay; that I can hold faith in one hand and doubts in the other without being insincere; and that as you continue to wrestle sometimes you find answers and sometimes you don't, but there is always peace that comes again and again during the journey.

At one point the book talks about why faith is needed - why doesn't God give us complete knowledge instead, right from the bat? The book quotes Peter Wehner, "Faith is prized within the Christian tradition [because] it involves trust that would not be needed if the existence of God were subject to mathematical proof. What God is seeking is not our intellectual assent so much as a relationship with us.... Faith is a greater blessing than proof because it gives us a relationship with Jesus. All good relationships are bound together by love. And love is always an expression of faith... We are changed by what we love more than [by] what we think." The emphasis on change is one I've found deep meaning on. God wants us to become like Him, to change, and faith can get us there more fully than simply knowledge. There are certain things you have to experience to understand and become. Often these can painful or scary or hurtful things, but your better for it in the end.

I felt that the Hafens were kindred spirits with me. That they understood what it was like to struggle with questions of the soul. They said, "Often, probably too often, we speak a real sacrifice far too glibly, not acknowledging the ambiguity and anxiety. We might honestly feel before bowing our heads in submission to God m- – especially when we can't possibly understand all the reasons why we must sometimes give so much when we know so little." They know what that's like and it was refreshing to read such educated, intelligent, and faithful people validating the same feelings I've experienced.

I bought a copy of the book for my children to have access to as they get older and have questions of the soul. Top notch book.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think his(/her?) intended audience is - people who struggle with particular issues regarding mormonism but still agree to its basic epistemological axioms? He outlines 3 stages of faith but these arent like Fowlers stages of faith. This is sort of the 3 stages of the orthodox.
Stage 1- child faith
Stage 2- you learn abt the deseret alphabet or whatever and will yourself to “shelve it”
Stage 3- child faith
It seems like a similar pattern could be used by muslims or evangelicals or whoever might find particular issues abt their own tradition unsettling. But maybe it is only supposed to work for Mormons cuz Moroni 10:3-5. I am just assuming similar books have been written to the doubting Catholic troubled by pedo-priests? In Fowlers stages, its the whole notion of belief itself that changes meaning, and God willing you break on through to the other side after your perceptual framework collapses and your moral compass explodes. This other-side can only even be conceived if you are already there but i think has something to do with you sitting in the eye of the storm, comfortable with paradox, having transcended belief, being only concerned with love. I think.
Also- I am probably being totally unfair to Hafen(s). I hope this book resonates with those who are in pain, it just didnt with me.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm joining with the other ratings to give 5 stars to this fabulous book. It's not necessarily perfect, but it is so, so good. The Hafen's do so well using their simple model of Idealist Simplicity to Realist Complexity to Meek Simplicity to explain what often happens when questions come up in the gospel. Some of the chapters I bookmarked as go-to resources for the future. It's a great, great book to turn to repeatedly.

[Nicole Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. I feel like I "get" Bruce C Hafen and what he was saying with this book. Who knew? I kinda wish I had known before so I could have read some of his other stuff. I guess I know now. Would absolutely (and do) recommend this to anyone. In fact, I find myself pushing this on a lot of people. Consider yourself pushed (in a friendly and loving manner.)

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very brief but deeply thoughtful book for those struggling with matters of faith. Makes you ponder over what you truly believe and hope for—a profound book. Feel as if I have learned much in ways I had never fully considered before.

[Chad King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Bruce Hafen's writing (The Broken Heart was one of his best), but I felt like this book did not meet the high bar established by his other books. The premise of the book is interesting and worthwhile: How can a thinking person evaluate and wrestle with difficult questions and still retain faith? It's a great question, especially in today's world where anyone with the Internet can face a barrage of faith-challenging statements and questions on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, the book never reaches its potential. The problem, I believe, is that Hafen never clearly identifies his audience. At times it felt like he was writing to a believer who has friends or family struggling with questions. At other times it felt like he was writing to a believer who is beginning to doubt. And at other times it felt like he was writing to someone who is in the middle of a serious faith crisis. The challenge for the reader is that Hafen doesn't speak to these audiences directly and doesn't make it easy for a reader to figure out which audience is being addressed.

Here's an example: in Chapter 12 he shares a story of a missionary named Zachary who decides to take the side of Korihor and challenge Alma's statement that all things testify of Christ. Hafen writes "Alma answered this challenge by referencing the scriptures, the testimonies of the prophets, and the creation of the earth itself (see Alma 30:44). After seriously searching for a response, Zachary, like Korihor, found that he had no countering evidence—could give no rebuttal. He sat there stupefied." To a believing member (the likely audience here) this story might be a powerful example of Alma's response and testimony, but a skeptic might respond by saying a 20 year-old missionary without access to research tools or the Internet might easily be stupefied. Where did he search? For how long? Did he really have no rebuttal? Compare that with a story in Chapter 10 about a 12 year-old boy who prayed over a dead calf and it came back to life, but the boy (now a man telling the story many years later) admits he probably would not have the faith to say that prayer as his older, wiser, and less naive self. Doubters might see themselves in this story, where a believer might not.

The result of all this is a somewhat muddled collection of stories and ideas that never quite hits home. There are some shining points in the book and a few quotable blurbs, but the book is not what it could have been.

Given that the book feels like it's aimed at multiple audiences, I would hesitate to share this with someone who is experiencing a faith crisis since they might interpret portions of it as critical or overly simplistic (see the story of Zachary mentioned above). However, it would be a decent option for someone watching loved ones struggle with faith issues. For those who are doubting, a better choice might be Dew's Worth the Wrestle or Mason's Planted.

[Kelsey Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the framework this book provides for understanding questions in a religious context. It’s validating to know that it’s normal- in fact, important- to have questions or to experience cognitive dissonance about faith. The biggest takeaways for me are:
1) There is a) simplicity, b) complexity, and c) simplicity after complexity.
2) The simplicity after complexity is more rewarding and satisfying because of what it took to get there.
3) When you’re in the complexity/questioning stage, you don’t need to panic when you’re aware that simplicity lies in the future if you stick with it.

My favorite quote (although it’s basically two pages long):

"’For every Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who are saved from the flames (Daniel 3), an Abinadi is allowed to burn (Mosiah 17). For every wayward Alma the Younger that is brought to the light from a pleading, faithful parent (Mosiah 27), a Laman and Lemuel continue to stray (1 Nephi). For every 2,000 stripling warriors who leave the battle with nothing more than wounds (Alma 56:56), 1,005 are left to be slain by the sword (Alma 24:22).
For every Ammon who brings thousands of souls to repentance (Alma 26:22), a Mormon and Moroni labor all the days of their life and never see the fruits of their labor (Moroni 9:6). For every blind to see, deaf to hear, and lame to walk (Matthew 11:5), the experience of unfathomable suffering awaits in Gethsemane (Matthew 26). However...
"For every Abinadi who is burned, sometimes an Alma takes the doctrine to heart and begins a lifetime in service to God (Mosiah 17). For every 1,005 who are left to be slain, sometimes we see the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people' as more souls are brought to repentance than the number who perished (Alma 24:27). For every 'thy will be done in submission to the agony of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:39), there is a prayer too beautiful to be recorded, the blessing of children one by one, angels descending from the opened heavens, and tears streaming down the face from One who can finally declare full joy (3 Nephi 17).’
When our faith is based on trust and not on certain expected blessings, we can endure any trial. We don't know if, when, or how He will deliver us in the short term, but when we meekly yield to Him our non-contingent trust, He will always deliver us in the long term.”

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book is intended to help build an informed faith. Having read and listened to Patrick Mason and Jared Halverson’s thoughts on faith/doubt and the stages of faith, this wasn’t as powerful to me. However, this book offers some important insights to consider when working to strengthen your faith. The three stages of faith that serve as a framework are 1-innocent simplicity, 2-complexity, 3-settled simplicity. As someone who has/is (is it ever done?) worked/working through complexity, I see the beauty in a nuanced, informed, and still trusting faith. I hope to continue to prioritize the work it takes to feel the peace and power from this third stage of faith.

Favorite quotes:

-“A growth in faith can [also] be thought of as an improvement in language.” (a fuller vocabulary) p. 5

-“When we don’t see the gap or we focus only on the ideal while blocking out the real, our perspective lacks depth. It this is our paradigm, faith can be both blind and shallow, because it lacks awareness and careful thought.” p. 12

-“In Stage One, the inexperienced person seems to have all of the answers, but may not yet know many of the questions. In Stage Two, that same person can have all of the questions, but few of the answers. In Stage One, faith is blind because it lacks awareness of reality. In Stage Two, faith is still blind if it sees complexity as the end of the journey of faith, because it has lost its vision of the ideal.” p. 13

-“Their problem is not that they know too much about Church history, but that they don’t know nearly enough. And they have been conditioned by the overcomplications of social media to expect a short answer to any question.” p. 33

-“In the largest study of fake news to date, MIT data scientists in 2018 found that false stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted than true stories, perhaps because they are more ‘engaging and provocative.’” p. 35

-“The critics don’t have to prove anything; they just have to make someone doubt, which is infinitely easier than producing conviction.” p. 37

-“Learning to understand and live with competing true principles is an essential skill…that ‘by proving contraries, truth is made manifest.’” p. 43

-“Reliable research showed that—unlike with most other religious groups—the more education a Mormon has, the more likely he or she is to have a strong religious commitment.” p. 47

-A handcart survivor said they “came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.” p. 67

-“The likelihood that this unique combination would come together by sheer chance is ‘almost infinitesimal. [Without God] our universe is [so] wildly improbable [that] faith in God [is] more rational than disbelief.’” -Biologist Francis Collins p. 71

-Story of a young boy perplexed by eternal life and in answer to sincere prayer received a powerful answer “‘Trust me. It’ll be good.’ Ever since, he has wanted eternal life, not because he fully understands it, but because ‘God spoke to me and I trust Him.’” -p. 120-121

-“We do value what we discover far more than we value what we’re told.” p. 122

-After stating how for every miracle (e.g., Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego), there are stories were God did not intervene (e.g., Abinadi)…“However, for every Abinadi who is burned, sometimes an Alma takes the doctrine to heart and begins a lifetime in service to God. For every 1,005 who are left to be slain, sometimes we see ‘the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people’ as more souls are brought to repentance than the number who perished. For every ‘thy will be done’ in submission to the agony of Gethsemane, there is a prayer too beautiful to be recorded, the blessing of children one by one, angels descending from the opened heavens, and tears streaming down the face from One who can finally declare full joy.’” p. 123-124

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book comes from the following quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes:

“I would not give a fig for the simplicity [on] this side of complexity. But I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.”

It’s one of those books that ought to be read every few years—for yourself or to have a better understanding of how friends and family might be feeling.

Here are a few great lines from the book:



The ability to acknowledge ambiguity, an important step in our spiritual development, is not a final form of enlightenment—it is only the beginning… We need to look longer and harder at difficult questions and pat answers, but without lurching from extreme innocence to extreme skepticism. Today's world is full of hard-core skeptics who love to ‘enlighten’ those who are stuck in idealistic simplicity, offering them the doubt and agnosticism of complexity as a seemingly brave new way of life


Growing deep roots requires that we learn to work through uncomfortable realities.


Faithful questions are valuable. Having a curious mind is a pathway to understanding and growth. However, there may be some who mistakenly assume that LDS culture disapproves of people who wonder. So when we have honest questions, some of us may feel unfaithful or even guilty. Is it wrong to wonder, or even to wander? We don’t think so. The Church does not self-destruct under questioning or scrutiny. Rather, seeking answers and deeper understanding really can help us grow. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, ‘not all those who wander are lost.’ So let us welcome questions and questioners.”


Believing precedes understanding.

[Krisette Spangler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to help people examine what faith means. I loved it, because the Hafens describe three different types of faith. Many accuse Christians of following their leaders blindly, but Hafen tells how many have faith in Christ born of trials and afflictions that allow them to accept the teachings of the scriptures in a child like fashion. I loved this book and plan to visit it again in a few years.

[Suzette Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on navigating a life of faith in a difficult world. I really appreciate the Hafen's spiritual and intellectual insight. There's so much food for thought here, I'm sure I'll read it again.

[Brenda Daun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a profound book about the different stages of faith that felt so relatable to my experience. I could see this being a helpful read for anyone who feels like they’re going through a crisis of faith.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First half of the book didn’t grab me much (ideas I’ve heard before), but I loved the second half. Very helpful guide to help us understand what is happening to us spiritually when we encounter the complexities of faith and where those complexities will lead us, depending on how we respond to them. This book is consistent with my belief that a so-called faith crisis can actually be one of the best things to happen to us, if we stay in the passageway.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read and follow non fiction book detailing the way faith evolves through the years. It begins by explaining how we all start out with a simple faith, which becomes more complex as we face questions, concerns, life experiences. Perhaps you are confronted with doctrine or history you were previously unaware of and find yourself in some kind of crisis. Sometimes I think we find ourselves struggling at Church due to 'people issues' and its easy (I know been there got that t-shirt) - to misplace it as a faith crisis, in order to feel better about walking away. Either way, as we progress through that stage, we eventually emerge with a simple mature faith stage. I appreciated reading something that just sat right with the experiences I had been through and those I have seen acquaintances go through. Though I am not in 100% agreeing with every little opinion the Hafen's put out there for consideration, its a great little book, to help those who are analyzing their own faith. Or those facing a crisis. It will also be a great read for those who have loved ones who are going through difficulties with their faith to help them support and understand how to best help. A great read.

[Kelsey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. :) 4.5 Stars - Took off half a star because it was a smidge dull in terms of tone. But if very analytical is your thing it won’t bother you.

It totally slashed the myth that scholarship and faith cannot coincide. Hafen lays out the argument that questions, doubts, or issues with Church, God, Joseph Smith, Church History etc. don’t have to shake your faith.

He makes you want to be the type of person who doesn’t just sit comfortably in (what some people call) “blind obedience” or “simplicity” of faith, but to be willing to move through “complexity” (I’d call this “questions or doubts” about a given subject), and eventually reach “informed simplicity” (“enlightened peace” is what this sounds like to me—you’ve studied out your questions and have made peace with them. You’ve reached the maturity level to understand that ambiguity isn’t synonymous with falsehood).
This state-of-being is where experts in church history seem to be—they know the very most there is to know about Joseph Smith and the early Saints (bumps, bruises and all) and yet they bear powerful testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel and Jesus Christ and his called prophets. Their faith doesn’t make them blind, it seems to make them much more enlightened.

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, the first half caused me to do some really deep breathing. His intent was obviously to encourage, but it felt like gaslighting to me. I'm not a fan of anything that says, "church is never responsible for decreasing your faith." Yup, faith is personal. It's something only you can dictate--but also, seriously, going to church with humans is the hardest thing you'll ever do. People are horrible, and cultural norms are really how we get to hate and lynchings, murder, and suicidal tendencies...so there you go. That said, the end did have a few more redeeming points for consideration. He almost seemed to get more realistic in terms of how to deal with faith in "real-time" towards the end. I'm not sure if this was his intention or just a wonky editor.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good examples and thoughts in this book. I absolutely loved the quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes that served as a basis for the book, "For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn't give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have." There is so much that that perspective has unlocked for me, not just in the realm of faith, but relationships as well.

I'd share more quotes, but I listened to the book.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early in the book, the Hafens quote T. S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration./ And the end of all our exploring/ Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time." They present a model for faith growth, beginning with innocent, untried simplicity; growing to realist complexity; continuing into a meek, mature simplicity. I found this book to be inspirational and aspirational. There is so much to learn and to become.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book contains less than 150 pages, it took me several weeks to read it. I enjoyed his theories on faith and thought the book was well researched and beautifully written, but I found it easy to get lost in the depths of his analysis. I found myself having to read and re-read passages over and over again to grasp what he was saying. Definitely recommend but it’s not light reading.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to it on my Deseret Book app, but I may have to purchase a hard copy so I can mark it up. Great book with wonderful insights, especially the simplicity, complexity, simplicity concept. Makes perfect sense!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith is Blind

A very enlightening read regarding faith and our relationship with following Jesus Christ. Is true faith blind? We don’t blindly follow and do things just because we are “supposed to.” God gave us minds and hearts and eyes. He wants us to use them.

This book gave me insights into my own faith (small f) and using it to wrestle with tough questions of my Faith (big F=Church) and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It gave me understanding about why people may leave the Church.

I highly recommend to those we are looking for greater understanding and strength regarding their faith and relationships with God and Jesus Christ. It gives greater insight to when we struggle with big faith/Faith questions. This book was a Christmas gift from dear friends. It was a true gift that strengthened my faith.

Takeaways- I have a note on my phone with lots of quotes and thoughts. I didn’t want to mark up the book with my notes as other family members might want to read. I will highly recommend that they do. That being said, I want to record a few main ideas so I can recall these thoughts easily.

-There is a gap between the ideal and the reality in life. Developing a personal relationship with God and Jesus provides closeness and can help close the gap
-I know God knows the answers to my questions even though I may not understand the answers

-Three stages:
1. simplicity - childlike faith, blind faith
2. Complexity- hardships, big questions that don’t have answers, realities of life don’t match with ideal what we want life to be.
3. Simplicity beyond complexity- after going through hardships, life lessons, heartbreaks, and having to rely on God, the simple truths of the gospel resonate and sink deep into us.

-Sources — look at your sources when questioning things, are they valid? Maxwell-take both discipleship and scholarship seriously
-becoming, do small things that change our lives every day, work on micro problems and macro solutions will follow
-we can become well acquainted with the Lord during hardships, angels will attend. He knows us and loves us and wants to help even when things are awful
-to master a skill, an apprentice must follow the master, submit to his authority. Trust in his methods even when we don’t see the exactness of every little step pg 75
-no faith no fruit can’t have the proof until you do the experiment pg 75-76
-choose to believe, believing attitude
-He can only offer us His hand if we choose to take it, then He can guide us towards whatever we uniquely need for our own growth.
-cowboy up, leaning into the hardness of believing and moving forward when we don’t understand or have full answers to our questions
-give God the benefit of the doubt. When we are doubting the “why’s” and the “how’s” we have to move forward with God and then we may see the fruits,
-the moving forward without fully understanding is a sacrifice. It will be rewarded but have to do the experiment before you can see the proof.
-some questions may we will never know the answer to but like Nephi we may not know the meaning of all things but we know God loves His children. (Choose to believe. Benefit of the doubt to God)
-God wants us to use our brains and our hearts in our faith and in our lives eg. Moroni’s promise applies to all things—read, ponder, then pray about all questions
-spirit of the army —the very soul of our belief combines with others of our faith/Faith
-Neal A Maxwell “If we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually ask us to those very things which are most difficult for us to do.”pg 129
-Faith is not blind, dumb or deaf. Faith is seeing, hearing and speaking.

[Ann Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hafen writes:
"Salvation and exaltation are not just abstract goals. Those terms describe an entire process that requires growth, development, and change. Central to that growth process is mortality’s unique opportunity to let us learn by experience–by practice–which is the only way we can develop capacities and skills. We’re not here just to learn facts and absorb information. There is something about forcing people to be righteous that interferes with, even prohibits, the process that righteousness in a free environment is designed to enable. Righteous living causes something to happen to people.
There are two very different kinds of knowledge. One involves such rational processes as gathering information and memorizing. The other kind of knowledge we might call skill development–like learning how to play the piano or swim or take a computer apart, learning to sing or dance or think. The process of becoming Christlike is more about acquiring skills than it is about learning facts and figures. And the only way to develop those divine skills is by living His teachings. Even God can’t teach us those skills unless we participate fully in the process, with all the trials and all the errors that are inherent in learning a skill by practice, . . . Some things can be learned only by practice."

This is a thoughtful book that contained some life-changing gems like the one above. I will be thinking about this for a long long time. This book clarified my faith and belief and helped me understand the process of strengthening both. It was insightful on many levels.

This is a book, not only for those who believe, but perhaps more importantly for those who struggle to believe or who wonder or even doubt. I strongly recommend it to all. I'm really glad to have these words to return to and think about.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the nuances of faith and doubt. There is no one perfect way to address anyone’s doubts or struggling when it comes to their personal faith, but this book does a great job of identifying the many common things that can erode our faith, and it presents several strategies and reasons to choose faith anyway. The whole book is built around the theme of finding simplicity on the other side of complexity, which resonated with me. Childhood, black-and-white faith always comes up against paradoxes and gray areas and confusing realities, and a more mature faith finds its way to simplicity on the other side of that. My favorite concept they taught was about non-contingent trust, and how true faith is born out of relationships rather than evidence.

I don’t necessarily see the book as an antidote for those experiencing a faith crisis, but it did help me to better understand my own faith, how it has developed, and why it is not blind.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed hearing both authors’ voices.

(While faith is a universal concept shared by Christians and many other religions, this book is specifically written with a Latter-day Saint Perspective.)

[Andrew Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a time where opinions and information are more accessible than popcorn and soda, it is clear that more than ever, “today” requires our attention and commitment to trusting in God and His purposes despite not having all the answers. The need to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is imperative.

Faith Is Not Blind holds the torch that has a flame bright enough to bring warmth to anyone willing to engage in its pages. That is not to say that it doesn’t contain some hard teachings that cause you to deeply reflect and take inventory of your life. Bruce and Marie Hafen have done an incredible service in bringing a book, short, yet overflowing, with thoughts and insights powerful enough to inspire any open and sincere seeker of truth.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought provoking book for me. I enjoyed it and took time to reevaluate some things in my life, questioning where I categorize myself as a spiritual, faith-led person. I appreciated the examples concerning "gap questions" (where we are and where we want to be). Am I someone who's attitude fits in the category of "my ward is the best, my friends are the best, my family is the best, every day is the best" mentality? My cheerful, optimistic and relaxed attitude may help me weather many storms that seem "formidable to those of a less sunny disposition." Or do I see the gap, but choose to ignore it? "Cling(ing) to the ideal so single-mindedly that (I) just don't feel the discomfort that comes from facing the real facts about (myself), about others, or about the world around (me)." Is this gap too raw, "pushing (me) into a sense of denial that filters out painful realities"?

"Only when we see both the real and the ideal can we deal with the gap in a constructive way. If we don't grapple with the frustration that comes from facing bravely the uncertainties we encounter, we will lack the deep roots of spiritual maturity. If we don't see the problems that exist, we won't be able to help solve them."

It was helpful to reflect on the noise in the world and the noise in me-self doubt, mental & physical health challenges, worries, etc.

Choosing between two goods is more difficult than choosing when we see an obvious contrast between good and evil. But learning to make such choices is essential to our spiritual maturity.

I also reflected on the idea of blind obedience. I do believe there are many times throughout my life when I follow or obey, simply because I trust the person who's leading. But to me it is a "knowing and trusting kind of obedience" not blind. When I believe in something, it is because I have used all the tools of an educated, critical mind and attitude along with my "confidence in the ideal". This allows me to have "informed faith".

When I came to the part of mature simplicity, I felt it means being a true disciple in the realm of faith in God and Jesus Christ. "It is not so much about what one does or how one thinks, but about who and what one is-and is becoming." Throughout my life, there have been times where I have gradually shifted emphasis, like Elder Neal A. Maxwell, from the "large scale macro concerns about social problems to the more focused, personal micro concerns of how to live (my life)." Of course the macro problems matter, but the micro problems are the ones I can do the most about. "...the gospel's way of changing the individual is the only lasting way to change society...In the end there are no hyphenated words like disciple-scholar. If we are not finally true disciples, it won't matter much what else we are."

Reading about Elder Maxwell's son's response to his father's final months of life, was helpful in reminding me to "live in a better way now-closer to what he called the 'things of eternity.'" Keeping an eternal perspective has helped me cope with the tragedies of life, along with the joys and unexpected events.

"Learning from experience teaches us in ways nothing else can. God consciously took the risk that some of His children wouldn't come back. Even the Savior had to undergo trials of mortality-without shortcuts. Only by 'reason of use' can we exercise our senses to truly understand both good and evil."

It is through my failures and successes that I have learned the most about myself and others. I have also come to know God better, appreciate His mercy and justice, His Son's redeeming power in my life.

I have also come to realize that "not all uncertainties need to be resolved intellectually. Blind faith is simple, easy, and ultimately dangerous, but the benefit of the doubt is something earned by thought and experience that is then lovingly given to others, because you love and trust (others and God)."

When there are unsettling questions and concerns and I've gathered all the evidence possible with still no clear answer, I can remember Moroni's promise in the Book of Mormon (Moro 10:4-5). "I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things...that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from...Adam (until now)...and ponder it in your hearts."

Finally, the scriptures are full of "proving periods" in various characters' lives. Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego were saved from the flames but Abinadi was burned. Alma returned to the faith due to the prayers of his father while Laman and Lemuel continued to stray. 2,000 stripling warriors were wounded but never killed while 1,005 Anti-Nephi-Lehies were slain by the sword. Ammon brought thousands to repentance but Mormon & Moroni labored all their days and never saw the fruits of their labor. "For every 'thy will be done" in submission to the agony of Gethsemane, there is a prayer too powerful to be recorded, the blessing of children one by one, angels descending from the opened heavens, and tears streaming down the face (of)...One who can finally declare full joy."

Non-contingent trust does not depend on certain expected blessings. So with that type of trust, I can endure any trial. The fruits of the gospel, of intensely personal convictions have developed in me for many years. Due to that, I follow my leaders, learn all I can for myself, and trust God in the "gap" periods of my life.

[Princess Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. To quote the book, "Tension between faith and reason has a long history." The Hafens give concrete tools for working through faith struggles and have very honest discussions about women's role in the church and the priesthood ban for Black members being lifted among other things. I think there should be a sequel about LGBTQ. (Which actually could be Tom Christofferson's book!) All that said, "We value what we discover more than we value what we are told." So, go read it and let's chat.