How Doubt Shook My Faith from the Wrong Things

Key Concepts

Common Misconceptions: The transcript addresses the common Latter-day Saint (LDS) misconception that people leave the church because they were offended or wanted to sin. Don Bradley clarifies that this is often not the case.
Genuine Questions: Bradley emphasizes that many people leave because they have genuine questions and doubts about the church's truth claims. He references Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk, "Come, Join With Us," which acknowledges this reality.
Behavioral Changes: Bradley explains that when someone doubts or stops believing, they may cease following church prescriptions (e.g., abstaining from coffee). This is not necessarily evidence of a desire to sin but a logical consequence of no longer accepting the faith's tenets.
Covenants: Covenants are made with the understanding that they are what God wants. If one no longer believes that God requires those covenants, they no longer feel bound by them.
Insulating from Difficult Questions: Judging people's actions insulates from having to deal with them on their own terms and acknowledging valid questions.

Subjective Interpretation: Bradley explains that he had spiritual experiences but came to believe they were generated by his own mind, not from an external source. These experiences were still profound but told him something about himself, not the cosmos.
Pushing Against Identity: People leaving the church often actively push against their former LDS identity. This can manifest in behaviors like trying coffee or alcohol for the first time. This is a psychological step to feel like they are truly leaving.
Adolescent Analogy: Bradley compares this to adolescents rebelling against their parents to establish their own identity. This phase doesn't necessarily define their future.

Doubt is Normal: Doubt is a normal part of the faith journey and not necessarily a permanent destination.
Disciples' Doubt: Even Jesus's disciples doubted after his crucifixion, as illustrated by the story of the road to Emmaus.
"Friday" of Faith: If you are in doubt, hold on because "Sunday is coming." Doubt and non-belief don't mean it's the end.
Purifying Faith: Doubt can purify faith by shaking loose faith placed in the wrong things, such as people or institutions, and refocusing it on God and Christ.

Ex-Mormon Narrative: Bradley addresses the ex-Mormon narrative that LDS prophets know the church is a fraud and are simply "hauling it for money."
Prophets' Belief: As a historian, Bradley has examined the journals and letters of general authorities from Joseph Smith onward and found that they genuinely believed in the church's truth claims.
Restricted Records: Bradley debunks the idea that the church archives contain damaging records that are deliberately hidden. Restricted records are typically restricted due to sacred or private content (e.g., temple content, church discipline records). He was granted access to these records after explaining he was not interested in the restricted content.
Prophets as Guides, Not Exemplars: The Bible is not a book of heroes, but a book of one hero: God. Prophets are not exemplars, but people to help understand God's will. The exemplar is Christ.
Joseph Smith's Humility: Joseph Smith said, "I do not want you to think that I am a very good man; I am not. There was one good man, and he was Christ." Bradley suggests taking him at his word.
Idolatry: Setting up prophets as the object of faith is like setting up idols.

God's Providence: God works through providence, shaping events, but it's often difficult to discern his plan in the interim.
Mystery in God's Ways: God's ways are mysterious, and Latter-day Saints should be comfortable with mystery rather than assuming God always makes perfect sense.
Let God Be God: Accept that God may not work in the way we expect or think he should.
Hold on to the Good: Even during a faith crisis, hold on to the good things within the faith that have worked and are clearly positive.
Gratitude: Practicing gratitude can lead to happiness, which opens up perception and allows for more creative thinking and problem-solving.
Happiness and Tunnel Vision: Depression gives us tunnel vision, whereas happiness opens up our perception.
Focus on the Positive: Avoid a downward spiral by focusing on the good things, practicing gratitude, and holding on to Christ's love.
Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out: You don't have to have it all figured out. Life is a journey with God, and we are not meant to have the whole picture right now.