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 Pat ...more

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 ...more

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

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.

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. ...more

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.

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.

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 mi ...more

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...s ...more

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. ...more

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.

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 s ...more

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!

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 righteou ...more

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 “simpl

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 again ...more

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.

This book perfectly fell into my hands exactly when I needed it most. I was in tears by page two because of how clearly it spoke to my soul. A great way to open your mind, and for me, label my thoughts into organized categories to calm the chaos of faith-testing mental conversations I tend to have with myself.

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. ...more

Excellent book. Well written. It addresses the problems of faith and doubt in today's world. Read it, then give a copy to all of the 20-35 year olds that you know. ...more

This book healed my soul, opened my mind and deepened my faith. I will read this book over and over throughout my life.

Hafen continues to be one of my favorite LDS authors/philosophers. Plus, this was a pretty short book.

Another good resource for thinking about faith issues and faith journeys.

This book was absolutely amazing. It was a lot to chew on, so despite it's length, it took a while to finish. The Hafens reminded my heart of so many beautiful truths. An absolute must-read. ...more