'Dealing With Doubts in the Latter Days'

Robert L. Millet wants his readers to know that it's OK to ask questions when it comes to religious belief. It's how we react to those questions that helps define our faith."Questions, when faced earnestly and with the proper spirit, are spiritually healthy," he writes.In his recently published book, "Holding Fast: Dealing With Doubt in the Latter Days," Millet explores the multiple facets and definitions of doubt and analyzes common sources from which such feelings originate. He emphasizes that once we "put off skepticism and put on a believing heart," we can find answers to inevitable questions."No one needs to remain unsettled, unsatisfied or unfulfilled," he writes. "And certainly no one needs to languish in doubt. God has provided a more excellent way."Millet is a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University and former dean of religious education at the school. He uses examples from his 33 years spent in the Church Education System and from his service as a bishop and stake president to illustrate his points. He thanks those "whose questions and suggestions have touched my heart, stretched my mind" and those "who have chosen to believe."Millet also taps into his own personal experiences, especially when he addresses the concept of the "season of unrest" — times when "we find ourselves filled with questions and perhaps even doubts." He writes about a recent struggle he had with "deep depression" where he had "great difficulty feeling the spirit" — an experience that taught him a valuable lesson."Holding Fast: Dealing With Doubt in the Latter Days" (July 2008) is published by Deseret Book.