Ministering to the Doubter | An Interview With Terryl Givens

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in January 2018.
Terryl L. Givens, PhD, did graduate work in Intellectual History at
Cornell and studied Comparative Literature at UNC Chapel Hill. He
taught courses in Romanticism, nineteenth century cultural studies,
and the Bible and Literature and was the Jabez A. Bostwick
Professor of English at the University of Richmond. Currently, he
is a Neal L. Maxwell Senior Fellow at Brigham Young University. He
has published in literary theory, British and European Romanticism,
Mormon studies, and intellectual history. Terryl has authored or
edited 20+ books, and some of his favorites include his
collaborations with his wife, Fiona. Together they are the authors
of The God Who Weeps, The Crucible of Doubt, The Christ Who Heals,
and All Things New. Baptized initially in the Presbyterian faith by
his minister grandfather, Terryl and his family joined the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Terryl was eight or nine.
He served as a missionary in Brazil and has served as a bishop.
Whether hosting insightful podcasts for Faith Matters or speaking
to saints the world over at intimate firesides, Terryl’s mission is
to help everyone–no matter where they are in their journey of
faith–come closer to Jesus Christ. Highlights 4:30 Terryl’s
background and work experience. 6:20 Religious background and faith
development. 10:20 How Terryl met his wife, Fiona. The early years
of marriage and having kids. 13:45 Terryl’s unlikely journey to
becoming an author and his father’s collection of 19th-century
anti-LDS literature. The impact of learning The Book of Mormon was
the most widely-produced book, other than the Bible 16:50 Books are
no longer the primary vehicle for disseminating information.
Terryl’s podcast is about his desire to celebrate intellectual and
theological richness of Mormonism. 19:20 There is not one typical
Mormon testimony; finding one’s own path in coming to Christ. 20:30
Called as bishop in Richmond the week of 9/11. 21:30 Advice Terryl
received when he got called as bishop. As a bishop, you occupy a
position with enormous ability to make a difference in people’s
lives. Be aware of the power of the mantle you wear. One small look
or gesture can completely change someone’s Sabbath experience.
22:45 Terryl and his counselors focused on personal interaction as
a bishopric. No one left the chapel without encountering the bishop
or one of the counselors. They made visits to everyone in the ward
in the first year. He made appointments with every single young
person. 24:30 Dealing with faith and emotional crises.Terryl didn’t
always know how to help people but the number one thing he learned
to do as a bishop was to be empathetic. Stop trying to fix it. Just
listen and validate them. 30:00 Helping people with difficult faith
questions. Listen to the questions people have without interjecting
yourself with your own faith position. Terryl shares personal
experiences he has had helping people with faith crises. 35:15 As a
leader, have the courage to refer someone to a person with more
expertise. Be careful about trying to shut off sources of
intellectual inquiry. 38:00 Many in the church criminalize doubt.
Elder Hugh B. Brown says, “We all have to serve an apprenticeship
in doubt on the way to discipleship.” Doubt is a phase on the way
to finding something richer. However, people shouldn’t stay in that
attitude of doubt. 39:35 Faithful trust instead of certain
knowledge. Believe vs know. 44:15 Scriptural examples of
individuals having faith without absolute knowledge. It’s ok to say
I don’t know. 46:35 Asking genuine questions in adult Sunday school
classes. The importance of truly-spiritual gospel doctrine class
teachers. 50:30 Is there resistance to addressing questions
head-on? In the long run, how will church members be fortified?
Terryl shares his experience about being “shut down” in the U.K.
when he was teaching.