Review
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Title: The Crucible of Doubt
Author: Terry Givens and Fiona Givens
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
45 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Genre: Nonfiction
Year Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 168
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN 10: 1609079426
ISBN 13: 978-1609079420
Price: $17.99

Reviewed by Lynn Parsons for the Association for Mormon Letters.

Modern life has brought with it a complex worldview. The advent of social media allows us to reinforce connections with friends and family.  However, it has also created artificial relationships cemented by the free exchange of information. Facts and information ebb and flow in a tide without the restraints of the past.

The sheer volume of worldly opinions bombards the faithful, often causing them to doubt their convictions. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and other religions are not immune to this uncertainty. The Givens have written a volume to address not only different sources of doubt, but how people can resolve their concerns.

A number of topics are discussed relating to how doubts develop and are manifested. The authors describe how logic is not always the best method of evaluating truth, the differences between a church and a religion, and the perils found in worshiping leaders. They wrap it all up with recommendations for living a dedicated life despite our doubts.

In these times of science and technology, we rely heavily on our ability to reason when seeking truth. Peer-reviewed studies and facts often form the focus of our faith. These practices create a shallowness that allows us to form surface beliefs, susceptible to change as new information becomes available. The authors note that we must learn the appropriate time to apply logic and when we need to learn to listen to our feelings. While many may teach that emotions are whimsical and unreliable, the inward impressions we experience in our spiritual journeys are expressions of the Holy Ghost confirming the reality of God and His will for us.

Confusion and doubt also persist concerning what constitutes a religion and what is a church. Religion involves action, and is a manifestation of what a person does based on his or her beliefs. The Givens identify a church as an institution with two specific purposes --  fellowship and ordinances. Churches exist to provide a community in which to worship. This association was geographical in early churches, and that has largely been lost as congregants worship where they will. The localized boundaries of the LDS Church provide unique opportunities to form ward families where service is provided, relationships forged and challenged as we learn to love God as we love each other. Churches also provide us with the opportunity to participate in ordinances such as the Sacrament. Taking part in these sacred rituals helps us realize our part in something larger than ourselves and provides hope during the darkest of times.

One area of concern for the authors is the peril of hero worship. There are those who join the LDS Church because of the charisma or example of particular members. They may later develop doubts when viewing others’ feet of clay. The Givens explain that while leaders aren’t perfect, their flaws do not diminish the truthfulness of the LDS Church or the individual’s rightness for a particular calling. God does not want us to idolize others, but to forgive their shortcomings while sustaining and upholding them.

The authors wrap up their work with a discussion of doubt and discipleship. They assert that we can learn to live with faith that has been damaged, or even absent. We can live our lives in a faithful manner by taking the higher road of committing ourselves to show what we love by spending our time and efforts in that area. If we love our neighbors, we will serve them. If we love our families, we will take the time to teach them correct principles. If we love God, we will love His Gospel and appreciate what He has provided for us.

Those who have read and been challenged by the Givens’ previous volume, “The God Who Weeps,” may feel intimidated because of the challenging nature of that material. This book is more accessible, faster to read, and easier to comprehend. While there are many points of view that may be new to even the most experienced Latter-day Saint, each is explained comprehensively in an interesting and logical way. This is not to say that this is a shallow or simple work—there is much meat here, and this volume is one I plan to return to again and again to increase my understanding.