The Church Quietly Changes Its Position On Doubters

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Jana Riess has an interesting article on the church quietly changing its position on doubters and its new resources.

On the other hand, there have been some terrible and cringeworthy moments. A 2017 “doubt comes from Satan” conference talk was a low point. But the worst of all recent efforts, in my opinion, was a 2019 devotional by Renlund and his wife, Ruth.

It’s particularly ironic that Elder Renlund provides the video introduction to the church’s new resources for doubters. In the new video, he encourages members to avoid “being dismissive or judgmental” of doubters. But six years ago, he railed against people who “chose” to become perpetual doubters. One such person, Renlund said, had “let doubt and uncertainty occupy his mind,” opening the door for Satan.

He and his wife also warned their audience that just as they shouldn’t seek financial advice from someone in debt or medical advice from “a charlatan snake oil salesman,” they should never “entrust … eternal welfare to those who are spiritually bankrupt because they have ripped up in doubt what they once planted in faith.” The overall message was that the only people who can’t overcome religious doubts are those who willfully opt not to — and that church members might endanger themselves by listening to such people.

And, what is sure to enrage Fibber MG:

“By the time a friend or loved one has decided to talk to you about their questions, they have most likely spent time privately researching and thinking,” it states. Members are told to ask open-ended questions, like “Can you tell me more?” and “How do you feel about that?” rather than trying to brush any concerns under the rug.

They’re also taught to continue actively serving their loved ones — crucially, by first taking the time to learn what would most help the doubter to feel loved.

“Ask them what makes them feel valued and how you can support them,” one lesson states. Members are to keep the relationship, and the conversation, going.

The final lesson acknowledges that some people who struggle with faith will resolve their concerns quickly, but “for many, the struggle takes time.” In that ongoing situation, church members are encouraged to continue to “live the gospel” and set a good example, but also recognize there’s rarely a quick fix for a faith crisis.

“Be prepared to take a longer journey with them. Give them time and space to grow,” the last lesson closes. “Recognize that the way they express their faith may look different to you than it did in the past, and that’s OK.”

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

[I Have Questions]

It’s particularly ironic that Elder Renlund provides the video introduction to the church’s new resources for doubters. In the new video, he encourages members to avoid “being dismissive or judgmental” of doubters. But six years ago, he railed against people who “chose” to become perpetual doubters. One such person, Renlund said, had “let doubt and uncertainty occupy his mind,” opening the door for Satan.

Members will have sustained what Renlund said six years ago. They will have swallowed it as inspired counsel from the Lord. Now that the Church and Renlund have done a U-Turn members will sustain this new contradiction of the original position as inspired counsel from the Lord. Given the lack of fanfare, this looks more like the Church isn’t trying to convince members to change their attitude. They just want something to point to that says they don’t advocate shunning.

[drumdude]

Members are told to ask open-ended questions, like “Can you tell me more?” and “How do you feel about that?”

Members are encouraged to empathize with the doubters: “I’m sorry it makes you feel bad that Joseph Smith married minors behind his wife’s back.”

[MG 2.0]

Jana Riess has an interesting article on the church quietly changing its position on doubters and its new resources.

“Be prepared to take a longer journey with them. Give them time and space to grow,” the last lesson closes. “Recognize that the way they express their faith may look different to you than it did in the past, and that’s OK.”

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

I love that.

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

Jana Riess has an interesting article on the church quietly changing its position on doubters and its new resources.

On the other hand, there have been some terrible and cringeworthy moments. A 2017 “doubt comes from Satan” conference talk was a low point. But the worst of all recent efforts, in my opinion, was a 2019 devotional by Renlund and his wife, Ruth.

It’s particularly ironic that Elder Renlund provides the video introduction to the church’s new resources for doubters. In the new video, he encourages members to avoid “being dismissive or judgmental” of doubters. But six years ago, he railed against people who “chose” to become perpetual doubters. One such person, Renlund said, had “let doubt and uncertainty occupy his mind,” opening the door for Satan.

He and his wife also warned their audience that just as they shouldn’t seek financial advice from someone in debt or medical advice from “a charlatan snake oil salesman,” they should never “entrust … eternal welfare to those who are spiritually bankrupt because they have ripped up in doubt what they once planted in faith.” The overall message was that the only people who can’t overcome religious doubts are those who willfully opt not to — and that church members might endanger themselves by listening to such people.

And, what is sure to enrage Fibber MG:

“By the time a friend or loved one has decided to talk to you about their questions, they have most likely spent time privately researching and thinking,” it states. Members are told to ask open-ended questions, like “Can you tell me more?” and “How do you feel about that?” rather than trying to brush any concerns under the rug.

They’re also taught to continue actively serving their loved ones — crucially, by first taking the time to learn what would most help the doubter to feel loved.

“Ask them what makes them feel valued and how you can support them,” one lesson states. Members are to keep the relationship, and the conversation, going.

The final lesson acknowledges that some people who struggle with faith will resolve their concerns quickly, but “for many, the struggle takes time.” In that ongoing situation, church members are encouraged to continue to “live the gospel” and set a good example, but also recognize there’s rarely a quick fix for a faith crisis.

“Be prepared to take a longer journey with them. Give them time and space to grow,” the last lesson closes. “Recognize that the way they express their faith may look different to you than it did in the past, and that’s OK.”

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

You'll note the Fibber skipped right past the parts that pointed out he's violating his church's new policy on what assumptions he shouldn't be making about people.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Members are told to ask open-ended questions, like “Can you tell me more?” and “How do you feel about that?”

Members are encouraged to empathize with the doubters: “I’m sorry it makes you feel bad that Joseph Smith married minors behind his wife’s back.”

LOL!

I imagine this will now prompt some very strange conversations, like:

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that the sun gets its light from a planet called Kolob."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that Joseph translated Egyptian papyri written by Abraham."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that God withheld the priesthood for almost 200 years from those with the blood of Cain."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that Brigham Young instituted slavery in the Utah territory."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that that there was a great white Lamanite warrior named Zelph."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that the Book of Mormon has no archaeological/genetic/scientific evidence that supports it."

- "I'm sorry it makes you feel bad that Joseph was convicted of fraud.'

And on, and on, and on ..............

[MG 2.0]

Jana Riess has an interesting article on the church quietly changing its position on doubters and its new resources.

The final lesson acknowledges that some people who struggle with faith will resolve their concerns quickly, but “for many, the struggle takes time.” In that ongoing situation, church members are encouraged to continue to “live the gospel” and set a good example, but also recognize there’s rarely a quick fix for a faith crisis.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

I love this also.

Regards,
MG

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Jana Riess has an interesting article on the church quietly changing its position on doubters and its new resources.

And, what is sure to enrage Fibber MG:

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

You'll note the Fibber skipped right past the parts that pointed out he's violating his church's new policy on what assumptions he shouldn't be making about people.

Exactly

[MG 2.0]

“By the time a friend or loved one has decided to talk to you about their questions, they have most likely spent time privately researching and thinking,” it states. Members are told to ask open-ended questions, like “Can you tell me more?” and “How do you feel about that?” rather than trying to brush any concerns under the rug.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/08 ... h-quietly/

I like this also. This gives an opportunity for full disclosure rather than sweeping things under the rug. I think Elder Ballard set the stage for this approach.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

TTOC in regards to the use of the word Fibber.

I will consider it a term of endearment.

On the other hand, Wang, when I’ve called you a liar it has not been a term of endearment. It’s stating the hard truth. Marcus, when I’ve called you a troll…same.

Regards,
MG