Whatever Happened to Faith? by Robert L. Millet

Whatever Happened to Faith? Reviews

• 
  Stephan van Velzen

  I hadn't quite planned to listen to this book. It was the top suggestion when I opened the Bookshelf app, and I figured why not. I've always enjoyed Millet's writings.
  
  Going into this book, I have had a lot of doubts about the LDS Church and my membership therein. I do not doubt my testimony or the truth of the Church's teachings, but I do doubt its culture. Do I truly wish to be a member of a church whose leaders choose to brutally silence and reject a brave twelve-year-old girl who happens to experience same-sex-attraction, rather than extending a hand to her in Christ-like love? Do I wish to be a member of a church whose members massively support anti-Christian political leaders and policies that go straight against everything Christ has taught us? Do I wish to be a member of a church whose leaders fail to realize that we live in a time of social media, where negativity is no longer how you reach people?
  
  Millet's book starts with what almost reads as a much repeated attack on my generation. He showcases many of those same un-Christ-like convictions that are so prevalent in Mormon culture today. I confess I nearly gave up on the book at that point.
  
  Fortunately, this tone of writing lasted only one chapter, after which he focused on faith and doubt, especially when facing a church of imperfect people. By the end, this book was exactly what I needed to hear.
  
  In 2013, President Uchtdorf told us to doubt our doubts, before we doubt our beliefs. To doubt our doubts, however, is not a passive thing. Millet asks his reader whether he is truly doubting his doubts and exercising his faith. Do we spend as much time spiritually considering our questions as we do considering them intellectually? I confess, I've only been intellectual in my approach to the above questions, and I intend to change that.
• 
  Suzan

  Another excellent book by Robert Millet!
  "Whatever happened to faith? Whatever happened to people's abilities to stay calm, breathe deeply, and continue to believe and obey while the search for answers or solutions is under way? Whatever happened to the rather simple choice to assume the best, rather than the worst, about our Church, its scriptures, and its prophet-leaders? Whatever happened to the resolution and decision that our pioneer forebears made to stay about the Good Ship Zion until it docks in the celestial harbor?... There are just too many things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that bring joy and peace and even excitement to my heart, light and knowledge to my mind, for me to choose to throw it all away because I am uncertain or unsettled about his or that issue...If you or one you love is contemplating leaving the Church: Hold on. Don't rush into this. Please count the cost. I am fully persuaded that there is far more to gain than there is to lose by remaining a practicing, believing Latter-day Saint."
• 
  Mandy

  When you question your faith is that the end? No it is all part of the process and questioning is needed but it doesn't mean it is the end of faith if you do not have the answers.
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  Becki

  I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. I love Millet's style, so laid back and straightforward, plus tons of personal stories and I eat that stuff up. People at all places in their faith could benefit from this book.
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  Ryan Stoddard

  Amazing book. The scriptures and teachings from church leaders that the author chose were incredibly enlightening on the topic of faith. It made me to a self assessment on the status of my personal faith and testimony. It caused some serious self reflection and helped me correct some errors in my thinking and approaches to faith as well as answered some deep questions I have had myself. Millet is always a little more scholarly in his approach, but still the book was incredibly enjoyable. I always love when an audiobook is read by the author and this added to my experience as well here.
• 
  Viwe Xozwa

  This book really has been a sweet experience to read. It has been so tender but yet sure. It has been filling. I believe it’s one of those pieces of writing which require another visit not long after one finishes reading it. Some truths need to be given the chance to grow root and find a place to grow.
• 
  Tayler Morrell

  This book actually took me most of the month of September and the first week of October to read. It wasn’t necessarily a long or difficult book, but if you remember, I read a lot of fiction during September and they were more interesting. It was a good religious book with good, religious discussion…I just wasn’t captured by the way Millet wrote it.
  
  As a Millennial Mormon, there are a lot of times I feel I have been at odds with either the history of our church, our doctrine, our culture, and/or what our leaders have said (whether it was divinely inspired or their own thoughts and decisions). Many Millennial Mormons, as well as Millennial Christians, go through this issue of a faith crises. So, I love grabbing any and every book about struggling with faith.
  
  The author of this book, Robert L. Millet is a current professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University and an emeritus Dean of Religious Education at BYU. So, he knows what he is talking about scripturally. Millet does focus his book on Mormons and does use a lot of Mormon doctrine and scripture, but the overall ideas and philosophies in this book could apply to any and all Christians.
  
  Millet describes what faith is, how we gain faith, the importance of faith not only in history and in religion, but in the world’s culture. Millet discusses different reasons people tend to lose their faith and he gives examples and plan on how to help regain that faith. Overall, I really liked this book. It had some good points and I loved a few of the quotes. Many times I found myself nodding my head or saying “Oh, yeah! That makes sense.” However, there were a few things that I didn’t like.
  
  Millet is a life-long member of the LDS Church. I am too, but the past few years, I have had some struggles with different aspects of our church. Millet couldn’t really empathize much with Millennial Mormons. He never really had a “faith crises.” He claims he did because he thought he was going to get one calling (voluntary job/position in the LDS Church) due to a dream, but ended up getting a “lower” calling instead. I kind of guffawed at that–that’s not a faith crisis. I also didn’t really like how talked about homosexuality. It almost seemed a little patronizing. Now, I don’t know Millet in person, nor do I know his personal believes or experiences, but that’s just the way it seemed as I read it.
• 
  Amy Halbern

  This book took me a little Longer to read. Like all other Robert Millet books I have read they have been smaller thought books. This book really reflects on Faith and how we view as latter Day Saints. I feel that Robert Millet brought up a lot of really good points throughout this book.
  Through out this book he talks about what Faith is, How are Faith is tested and what happens when our world gets a little darker and we loose our faith. Robert Millet goes on for part of the book about how we can Strengthen our Testimony when it comes to our knowledge of faith.
  I love how in the last half of the book Robert Millet talks about how there are times that we want to leave the church when we are going through a rough time and we feel that no one understands and how can they possibly help us and we end up wanting to turn our backs on God. He really delves deep into this and talks about Where will we go and what will we do without the gospel, knowing that for a majority of our lives we have felt close to the savior and been through the Temple and made the covenants we chose to make. When he was talking about when we want to give up too quickly because we think that our lives will be easier without the gospel I reflected back on Elder Ballard's Talk from October 2017 "To whom Shall we Go." He talks about those who want to leave the church and where they will go and what they will do without the Gospel. This talk really left a profound imprint on my heart. I know that we all go through rough patches in our lives where we all want to flee because we feel that it would be easier. However that being said I feel that I would be lost without the Gospel in my life.
  I have seen friends and loved ones leave the Church and it breaks my heart. Some of these friends become bitter and angry and lash out against the church, because at one time they had the light they knew it was true, but life happens and they rather just leave and not have faith that things will be okay one day.
  One last Quote that I loved from the book is; "Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging "I don't know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship."
  
• 
  Jessica

  My spiritual path realigned as I read this book. I committed to try harder to "continue to believe and obey while the search for answer or solutions is under way." In a very studious and academic way, Millet addresses the complexity of doubt and assured me that there are ways to find answers to hard questions. He talks about viewing things through a lens of faith and trust rather than cynicism and disbelief, a choice that is becoming rare as religion is pushed out of society. In a compassionate and understanding way, Millet outlines 9 reasons many people leave, but admits there is are as many reasons as there are people. Then a question is raised which I've asked myself before: "Lord, to whom shall we go?" He ends by positing that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can satisfy your soul and bring you closer to Christ, with its warts and all.
  
  As always, I'll include my favorite passages:
  
  "Don't be in too much of a hurry to give up on what you don't understand, and don't minimize or neglect what you do know and understand."
  
  "I am proposing that to attend only to one's rational processes, to make monumental decisions of the soul on the basis alone of one's intellect - what we think we now understand - is at best unwise and at worst spiritually perilous."
  
  "Let us not complain of large classes in this mortal school when, at the same time, we consistently decline His offers to tutor us privately." - Neal A Maxwell
  
  "From our perspective today we obviously know more than participants did about the outcome of the past, but we also know far less about their experience of living in it. The people who lived in the past belonged to their own times and places and circumstances. To have charity for their differences and empathy for their experiences, we must begin with humility about our own limitations. It requires humility not to judge people in the past by our standards." -Erekson
  
  
• 
  Regan

  This book was fine. As one who believes faith and religion are important I thought I would find this subject matter - addressing crises of faith - a bit more compelling. This book contained some obligatory writing about the troubles of the world but it seemed to only superficially cover the subject. An effort was made to outline the reasons why people struggle with faith or leave the LDS church. The author was clear that his exploration could not be exhaustive so perhaps it's understandable that I don't feel he really added any clarity what I've read elsewhere about this subject. One passage that stands out to me was his own description of a period of troubled faith. While the details were unique to him (he had been expecting to receive a particular calling, feeling that he had been inspired that it was coming, but another individual was called); I appreciated how explained the feeling of uncertainty that came from this. Fundamentally faith is a belief in the big things - God and Heaven and so forth - but believers often expect to use the eye of faith to perceive what life is bringing to them. When I think of my past spiritual experiences I think of instances where I have felt that God has guided my thoughts to know what the future would bring. Being wrong on such matters can lead to a confusion that is hard to explain and can limit forward movement in life. It may simply be enough to recognize that such things happen and know that we have to accept them, carrying them with us as we continue on. I've read other books that I think do a better job of addressing the issue of faith crises amongst member of the LDS church - A Reason for Faith does a better job of addressing doctrine concerns or historical issues that might bother people (recognizing that it is still essentially an overview that has suggestions for deeper reading). Planted is a better written book that seeks to describe how we should understand and approach challenges to faith.
• 
  Jessica Mae

  This took me a while to get through, but I didn't want to rush it. I've really come to love the way Robert Millet writes. He knows his Church doctrine and history, but he also knows how to present it in a way that's both straightforward AND sensitive to people in all situations.
  
  This book is very much directed towards members of the LDS Church, but there's also plenty that could apply to all Christian faiths. He goes through explaining what faith is, what it's NOT, and does a great job at opening your eyes to why people struggle with faith. He says there are just as many reasons for why people leave the Church as there are people who leave it, and we shouldn't assume we know each person's situations or struggles.
  
  What Robert Millet really tries to drive home is that if you are struggling with a doubt or a question, that's perfectly normal, but don't rush into things. Keep studying and praying. Experiment by living each of God's laws and seeing what results they bring. Really, questions are the best things when they drive you to understand something more fully. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to delve into the topic of faith, those who are struggling with their faith or have loved ones who are, and those who just want to strengthen what they already have.
• 
  Connor Whitlock

  Loved reading this book. Robert Millet discusses the process of how many people might lose faith or struggle with concerns over certain historical issues, church positions, etc. In a very understanding way, he offers valuable insights on what faith really is, the balance between faith as a virtue and a choice, and how we might address and move forward beyond our doubts. He talks about society's changing ways and how to be steadfast in our convictions and be patient for answers and understanding despite constant opposition. This book will help me in dealing with my own faith questions throughout life and in being more understanding of others who struggle. Laid back style and easy to read as well.
• 
  iLa

  Perfect timing for me to read this book. I appreciated the thoughts and perspectives shared.
  
  "Every member of the Church who refuses to yield to cynicism; who turns a deaf ear to the naysayers; who decides to hold on, be patient, and exercise faith; who commits to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing,” learns in time and through quiet but satisfying experience that “all things shall work together for [their] good” (D&C 90:24). Those who follow such a course thereby position themselves to hear the voice of the Lord whisper reassuringly and from time to time, “This is the way, walk ye in it”."
• 
  Ruth

  Written from the viewpoint of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this timely volume has much to say about the trials of faith that are so prevalent right now, especially among members of the LDS faith.
  
  I felt comforted in every chapter, particularly in the last few chapters on doubting one’s doubts, remembering past faith-building experiences, and remaining optimistic about God in an age of pessimism, cynicism, and doubt that God exists and loves his children.
  
  I have listened to the author speak once or twice before, and his message is just as uplifting here. Great read.
• 
  Linda

  Robert L. Millet is one of my favorite gospel writers, I have been reading his books for at least 20 years and I always come away from them with an increased understanding of the gospel topic he is writing about.
  Faith is a decision, he writes, we have a choice to believe or not to believe. In this book he talks about many challenges found in having faith and the choices we have in our beliefs. He encourages us to ask questions, to pray for answers, to give study and time to finding answers or in having patience and faith if we cannot find the answers right now.
• 
  Derek

  Very insightful topics discussed by Brother Millet. Often I'd agree to being guilty of having not asked the "tough questions" or shying away from controversial topics. He addresses them head on with love and respectful consideration of both sides of why some struggle with faith. It helped me see where I need to shore up my own faith and even start from scratch on other items. Definitely worth a re-read.
• 
  Cathy Hable

  I really enjoyed this book. Very informative and insightful. At times I found myself feeling like I was pointing my finger accusingly, like, "Yeah! That's right!! They shouldn't think that way." At other times I found myself pointing the finger in my own direction and feeling like, "Wow. Yeah. I probably shouldn't feel that way." Helped me desire to be more compassionate toward others, while being more convicted in my own faith.
• 
  Verona

  I have always enjoyed Brother Millet’s books. I appreciate and love his writing style and the way he thinks. I listened to this book with my husband every night before we went to sleep. What a great bedtime story! We learned so much about faith through Brother Millet’s clear explanations, good stories, and thoughtful questions. My faith in Jesus Christ was definitely strengthened by reading this book. Thank you, Brother Millet’s.
• 
  Timothy

  I love this book. I have read many of Millet's books. All are worth reading, but I feel that this is one of those books that can change lives.
  Ruminating on the nature of faith and why it seems to be lacking, Millet uses many examples from the prophets as well as other Christian scholars and his own life to enlighten, teach and warn of the pitfalls of our time.
  Well worth it, this is a book you will want on your shelf at home in helping those whose faith may be dinning.
• 
  Cheri

  I listened to this book read by Robert Millet. He is a great narrator.
  
  This book is for anyone that is of the LDS faith, if you have a strong testimony or if it is wavering. Robert Millet gives you suggestions for being an active member, instead of just going through the motions. What a great book.
• 
  Melissa

  Such a great, inspiring, and informative read. I loved how the author talked about the world's view and progress with faith and how it is shaped now. I loved his chapters about how we need to see faith and really what it is. Great book for any person interested in religious faith and what it is, but also really great if you are questioning or know people who have struggled.
• 
  Adam

  Solid advice and perspective from someone who has dealt with pretty much every argument under the sun. As with most of these types of books, not about explanations but about general attitude and approach to questions.
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  Shelli

  I thought this book was a great effort to understand how and why we can lose faith, and also feel compassion for others who may be doing so as well. I came away from this book rejuvenated and grateful for the perspective Millet offers here.
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  Cami

  I enjoyed this book, especially the selection of quotes from scripture and Apostles. It is pretty straightforward and not condescending. Chapter 10, "What Greater Witness...?" is my favorite and could be a good reference all on its own.
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  Dawn

  I really good, thought provoking read about faith and what it is and what it isn't. It is not a super long read and I found a lot of what the author had to say insightful and I really enjoyed reading this one.
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  Heather S

  It’s a great reminder that having questions, even faith shaking questions, will be a positive thing for personal growth. Seeking answers in prayer and faith brings us great knowledge and peace. The author uses great personal examples as well as scripture to make his point.