I feel like this book has already been written by the Givenses, and with much more grace. If you've read God Who Weeps or Crucible of Doubt, or, for that matter, anything by Eugene England or Richard Bushman, you're not going to find much that's new or surprising. Most of his arguments feel recycled wholesale from these other sources.

The book's biggest contribution is the bridge-building it does between faithful and doubting persons; Mason is an articulate ambassador encouraging both parties to

The following is a copy of my review originally published here.

"We live in an age of doubt, but we need not be overcome. When we are planted in the Savior we can be nourished as much by our questions as by the answers."

"Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt" is written by Patrick Mason and is a joint venture between the Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and Deseret Book. Patrick Mason is the Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate College and a Mormon historian.

When I

The best part of this book is simply the tone that author uses. I have respect for the Terry and Fiona Givens, but the tone in their books feels both patronizing and condescending to me. On the other hand, I felt like I was almost having a conversation about Mormonism with Patrick Mason, and that he truly understood my frustrations. I love his insights, his clarity, and most of all his humor. I didn't come away with any clear-cut answers, but I felt more hope about the LDS church and my place in ...more

Not a book to speed through (as I may have had to do to finish it before the end of the year). Either the language was dense or I am dumb, but still well worth the time it took to read and internalize it.

The first part of this book was refreshing because the author acknowledged that mormonism has some controversial historical, doctrinal, and cultural issues that have been covered up, denied and ignored. This has caused many members to either leave or to feel out of place for questioning particular subjects.
Next he becomes apologetic for some of these issues and the last third of the book addresses reasons for members to remain in the church in spite of problems created by church leaders and cult ...more

"Perhaps the most important thing we can do in the face of our current challenges is to make the church a more welcoming place for those who struggle, creating the conditions in which they can feel comfortable while they work through questions and doubts in the midst of the body of Christ rather than feeling excluded from it. A more embracing Mormonism may thus be the most important factor in helping people more fully embrace Mormonism."

After reading (and loving!) Patrick Mason's latest book (Re

Like the Given's "Crucible of Doubt," Planted offers an olive branch to those who doubt to varying degrees and have a hard time staying in church. It is a book that would be a great guide to a new bishop or and old bishop for that matter. It gives insight to how non-mainstream-fully-believing-church-members think and it shows their position as a legitimate one, but it is also affirming of belief, since it is written by a believing scholar. It would be a powerful tool used to promote dialogue bet ...more

I must admit that this is my first book on doubt and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Maybe there are better ones out there. The novelty of discussing this subject that has been on my mind was enough to boost this to a five star read. If I wasn't learning something, I had personal beliefs and feelings confirmed that have never been confirmed before.

I highly recommend this to every member of the church. This book is particularly helpful for doubters who want to stay in the church

After a particularly challenging week of questions and doubts, this book's message was much needed. "The question facing the members of the church is whether we can create a meaningful sense of belonging for those who accept the core precepts and standards of the church but do not conform to the dominant middle-class, white, conservative, American norm. . . . How far are we willing to go to embrace significant social, economic, political, cultural, and ideological diversity? (178). Highly recomm ...more

Up front- I really enjoyed this book.

I think Planted is useful in a couple of ways. First, it is useful for those LDS members who find themselves teetering on the edge of a faith crisis, particularly for a crisis involving church history. If you are looking for a way to make things work at church, you will likely find this book very useful.

Second, this book could be helpful for leaders and devout church members to read to gain a better understanding of some of the reasons people doubt and how t

Planted by Patrick Q. Mason- my summary and personal review.

I had been wanting to read this book for awhile, having come recommended by my brother Jordan and Dad. So when it was listed as a book club book, I bought it and committed the time to reading it. I think I had higher expectations for the book though, because the last book I read about doubt and faith was completely uplifting and inspiring (Crucible of Doubt). So this one was a little less so, but still had some great components. I marke

Faith and testimony are not made from the same cookie cutters as some believe they are, nor should they be. Belief and belonging is a struggle for many of us, if not all of us at one time or another. Testimonies come in every shape and size offered from a spec of dust to a tsunami wave and once we realize this and embrace it, our understanding and acceptance of others and ourselves will allow both belief and belonging to coexist together.

For those struggling with tough issues in the church, for

One of the two best books I've read on navigating the challenges of living a religious life as a Mormon (Letters to a Young Mormon by Adam Miller being the other -- http://amzn.to/1U7kvDm). Whereas the Crucible of Doubt by Terryl and Fiona Givens (http://amzn.to/25cSBOr) is particularly valuable for helping people to think through contradictions they perceive in Mormon thought, Planted takes a more practical approach that will be helpful for those who are looking for concrete ways to live with t ...more

Love, loved this! So happy that lds authors are writing about inclusivity. Everyone has a place in this church, we need all levels of belief. The LDS church is stronger when we seek to include. I hope books like this banish the phrase, "If you don't like it (believe it), just leave." He quotes other LDS authors I love like the Bushmans, Eugene England, the Givens, etc. Love this new era we are entering! ...more

I just don't like church books. I thought this one would be different, though. And, to be fair, in many ways it was. It had some good ideas, but most of them I'd figured out for myself or heard from other sources. What I don't like about church books is that they often make you feel guilty, that's true of this one. I am so done with guilt. Unhealthy guilt. ...more

I love this book. It gave me a different perspective and understanding on how to look at things that I have struggled with and that my friends have struggled with in the LDS religion. Even if you don't struggle this book could help you be more compassionate to those who do. ...more

Our church is struggling to deal with its non-traditional members. Whether they are heretics, disaffected, non-believers, or otherwise non-traditional Mormons, it can be very hard for them to find constructive, safe space in the community. Likewise, traditional Mormons seem uncomfortable and unsure about what to do from their end. Numerous attempts have been made to bridge this gap, and this book is the latest promising effort in this front.

Help for the Traditional

One of the author's principle g

Published in 2015, this book was published two years after the Gospel Topics essays were released, both of which came too late for my own faith crisis and transition. I found it amusing that the author said "I worry about sowing doubt rather than belief" as he brings up many troubling aspects of Mormon doctrine and history. So if you are not well versed in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, multiple First Vision accounts, the excommunication of the September Six, etc. there is an extensive reading l ...more

I really enjoyed reading this book. I don’t know if it’s 5 stars, but parts were definitely that many stars. So much of this book spoke to me - it’s like having a conversation with myself.

“Fundamentally, faith is a matter of hope and of trust, not much different than love.”

“Even if we personally spend most of our time consciously rowing in the raft of religion, we recognize that there’s a difference between religion being the raft (as it is in modern times) and religion being the ocean (as it wa

Planted is another win for the Maxwell Institute. It offers a good perspective for those that find the LDS church challenging. I recently heard someone describe the church as an itchy sweater. It is warm and makes you feel safe, but can be frustrating/irritating at times. Mason offers a good perspective for those that think the Church is Zion and are wondering what is wrong with the nay-sayers and those that are considering leaving and don't feel they have a place. The analysis is well done and ...more

First let me say that I think that Patrick Mason is a good guy. I think the LDS church would be a really great place if people like him were the dominant voice.

However, when I read his book I can't help but wonder why I don't see a book like this written by Russell M. Nelson or Dallin H. Oaks or any others who are ordained as prophets, seers, and revelators. It's disappointing that LDS leaders are not at the forefront of improving LDS culture.

I also can't help but reflect on the fact that in th

Patrick Mason presents a thoughtful and accessible look at the validity of questions and doubt in one's search for truth, specifically as a member of the LDS Church. In addition to validating those who might struggle either with historical moments of the Church or modern day culture and practices, he offers suggestions for how non-mainstream church members can remain anchored in the Church by planting their hope and faith in gospel truths and finding ways they can be involved in their congregati ...more

"One of the grand truths of Mormonism is that humans, at our very essence, are coeternal with God." With all the conflict surrounding Mormonism in recent years and the pain and suffering involved, this book helped remind me of the amazing and marvelous truths and blessings restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. "If that was Joseph Smith's only statement about the human condition and our place in the cosmos, it would rank him as one of the most important and innovative theological contributors of ...more

Patrick Mason has written an eloquent and empathetic plea for the family of Christ to stay together in the fold and keep loving each other. This book appeals to those firmly planted in the LDS Church and those who are barely hanging on--for whatever reason. Years ago I tried to create a book on believing in an age of doubt, but the idea withered on the vine. To Patrick, I say, "Bravo! This is the book I was looking for!" "Planted" deals head-on with ambiguity and paradox in the LDS Church, the c ...more

This book is exactly what I needed right now. Patrick Mason was able to articulate my thoughts and feelings better than I was. Even more importantly, he was able to help me recognize that we are meant to be a unifying church. It doesn't matter where we are on the political or cultural spectrum, Jesus said to love everyone and that's what must learn to do. Particularly in this time of increasing tribalism and a growing "us vs. them" mentality. We have to learn to reach across divides and love and ...more

This is a must-read for any Mormon who is going through or has gone through a faith crisis or who cares about someone else who has or just wants to know more about thorny issues in Church history and doctrine. It has down-to-earth advice and wisdom that can be put to good use by many both in and out of the Church. Mason writes with compassion, concern, wit and humor, practicality, and love.

It would be difficult to praise the book too highly. Highly recommended!

Excellent ruminations on having doubts and clinging to what you already know as you reconcile those doubts. Like a good friend offering his thoughts to you in a gentle and loving way. Certainly not the end of the discussion, and Mason offers an extensive bibliography of books to continue your search with.

Seldom do you read a book that speaks so eloquently to a private place in your heart. You can imagine my delight when just a day after I finish it, I'm sitting in a congregation and look up to see a man and wife who had been quoted extensively in this book sitting on the front row. Now THAT, my friends, is a textbook tender mercy. ...more

I liked much of this book, but was particularly moved and inspired by the author's focus on grace, charity, forgiveness, patience, love, and bearing one another's burdens. I hope it is widely read by my fellow Mormons. ...more