On Thoughtful Reconstruction: An Epilogue - Anthony Miller Part 6 | Ep. 1165

Reconstructing Faith Without Leaving Community: The Case for Thoughtful Institutional Critique

When long-standing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experience a faith crisis, the conventional narrative offers two stark choices: recommit to orthodoxy or leave entirely. But according to the recent Mormon Stories Podcast episode featuring Anthony Miller's "Thoughtful Reconstruction: An Epilogue," there exists a third path, one where individuals can honestly grapple with institutional shortcomings while maintaining meaningful spiritual connections and community bonds.

This nuanced approach to faith reconstruction matters deeply in an era when thousands of members annually confront the gap between the Church's official narrative and its documented history. Miller's framework offers a practical roadmap for those navigating this difficult terrain without abandoning their spiritual roots or relationships.

Background: The Modern Mormon Faith Crisis Landscape

The past two decades have witnessed a significant shift in how Latter-day Saints access historical information. The Church's own Gospel Topics Essays, released beginning in 2013, acknowledged previously marginalized historical realities, from Joseph Smith's polygamy to the priesthood ban on Black members. This transparency paradoxically created new crises for members who had invested decades in incomplete narratives.

According to Miller's discussion on Mormon Stories, individuals experience faith transitions for diverse reasons. Some, like Miller himself, struggle with what he characterizes as the institutional prioritization of "reputation and power and money and influence" over the practical application of Christ's gospel teachings. Others grapple with doctrinal inconsistencies, historical problems, or institutional policies affecting marginalized populations.