Ministering to members in faith crisis

Leadership SessionMenlo Park Stake Conference

14 September 2013

Executive Summary

Some of our members are in faith crisis.

It might be happening more than before.

Why? What’s going on here?

How do we respond?

Our hope for the Menlo Park Stake.

Faith CrisisState of intense emotional or spiritual distress occurring in a member, on learning some facts of our history aren’t always included in the standard Church narrative, or …

… occurring when a member has difficulty reconciling deeply held opinions about social issues with current Church positions.

Why is it happening?

Unprecedented access to uncorrelated information

Why is it happening?

Unprecedented content creationand consumption

Why is it happening?

The “Mormon Moment”

Fact:There are some items in our history that don’t flatter us.

Fact:The Church isn’t hiding this information, but it hasn’t emphasized it either.

Russell HancockCorrelated version

Russell HancockAs he is known to his friends

Russell HancockAs he is known to his family

Russell HancockClose up

Russell HancockUnder very careful inspection

Traditional depictions of the Prophet translating the plates

One example

But it also happened this way.

Peep stone translation method

Multiple accounts of the First Vision

Polygamy, polyandry

Mountain Meadows Massacre

Translation of Abraham

Book of Mormon geography, anachronisms

DNA and the Book of Mormon

Masonic ties to the temple

Joseph Smith’s earlier background in treasure digging

Issues receiving intensified scrutiny

Issues receiving intensified scrutiny

So what do we make of all this?

In the short run: Questions and concerns will likely intensify.

This is to be expected.

It’s okay.

In the long run:

The Church is doing some very significant things that will change the dynamic.

This is a divine work in progress, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will.

Elder Jeffrey R. HollandGeneral ConferenceApril 2013

So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteers. Joseph Smith acknowledged that he wasn’t perfect. Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we.

Elder Jeffrey R. HollandGeneral ConferenceApril 2013

President Henry B. Eyring:

We express profound regret for the massacre carried out in this Valley and for the untold suffering experienced by the victims then and by their relatives to the present time. A separate expression of regret is owed to the Paiute people who have unjustly borne for too long the principal blame for what occurred during the massacre. They would not have participated without the direction and stimulus provided by local Church leaders and members.

Enterprise, Utah 2007

B. H. Roberts: The position is not assumed that the men of the New Dispensation—its prophets, apostles, presidencies, and other leaders—are without faults or infallible, rather they are treated as men of like passions with their fellow men ... But while the officers and members of the church possessed this spiritual “treasure,” they carried it in earthen vessels; and that earthliness, with their human limitations, was plainly manifested on many occasions and in various ways, both in personal conduct and in collective deportment.

B. H. Roberts, continued:But back of all that, and it should never be lost sight of, is the supreme fact that they were, on occasion, moved upon to speak and act as God would speak and act. And when they spoke and acted as prompted by the inspiration of God, then what they said and what they did was the word and will of God, and the power of God unto salvation. It is therefore best to frankly state events as they occurred, in full consideration of all related circumstances, allowing the line of condemnation to fall where it may; being confident that in the sum of things justice will follow truth; and God will be glorified in his work, no matter what may befall individuals or groups of individuals.

So how do we respond?

What is our strategy for ourselves, and the Menlo Park Stake?

1. Let’s be proactive

… not reactive.

Menlo Park Stake Institute: Spring and Fall Quarters

“Hard Questions in Church History” Lynne Wilson, instructor

2.Help is available. We have resources.

3. For those becoming disaffected, we must show compassion and unconditional love.

Active member hears troubling aspect of Church history

Active member hears troubling aspect of Church history

Member looks for evidence to refute, learns claim is factual

Member looks for evidence to refute, learns claim is factual

Here’s the cycle we hope to avoid:

Member feels betrayed

Member feels betrayed

Member reaches out to friends and family and is treated harshly

Member reaches out to friends and family and is treated harshly

Family and friends distance themselves emotionally

Family and friends distance themselves emotionally

Feeling of betrayal is magnified by loss of relationships

Feeling of betrayal is magnified by loss of relationships

Active member becomes disaffected member and shares resentment with others

Active member becomes disaffected member and shares resentment with others

What covenant are you breaking?

Who has offended you and why can’t you get over it?

You must be depressed.

You are not worthy to be a parent if you’re questioning this.

I must have raised you poorly.

I would rather see you dead than lose your testimony.

Stop reading and thinking about these historical trivialities.

Your concerns are anti-Mormon lies and meritless.

It’s your own fault.

Your discontent is part of the latter-day “inner cleansing” of the Church.

Some harsh responses reportedly received by disaffected members

Some recommended responses:

Acknowledge the member.

“I acknowledge your pain and concerns about this problem. They are not irrational. Here’s how I have reconciled this problem.”

Some recommended responses:

Listen.

Do not dismiss the concerns.

Do not reprove.

Acknowledge that members of our stake (including the leaders) will listen and receive.

Some recommended responses:

Spouses of disaffected members have intense ministerial needs.

Faith crisis alone is not a valid reason for divorce.

Helps spouses support each other.

We have response teams ready to go.

Some recommended responses:

Many in crisis will still want to stay engaged in church and contribute.

Accept their offering.

Issue callings as appropriate.

Bishops can issue temple recommends as appropriate (in consultation with stake presidency).

Some recommended responses:

People should always feel like the Menlo Park Stake is a safe place.

Some recommended responses:

Love unconditionally.

Let’s hear from some additional voices!

Mark Campbell

The Etherington Family

Bishop Jacobsen