Description
The best kind of faith isn’t blind. It isn’t deaf—or dumb. It doesn’t completely ignore intellect or reason; it complements
and works with it. Well-known for their clear teaching style, Elder and Sister Hafen share profound insights on three levels
of faith:
1. An idealistic, optimistic, innocent faith,
2. A “realistic” faith filled with questions and complexity, and
3. An informed, mature faith that grows from reconciling our initial simple faith with the complexities that arise,
resulting in a solid, abiding faith found in both the heart and the mind.
As Oliver Wendell Holmes explained, “I would not give a fig for the simplicity [on] this side of complexity. But I would give my
life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.” This type of faith will see us through both the joys and challenges of life,
will help us resolve questions that could otherwise derail us, and will be a solid foundation for a deep and abiding testimony.
Bruce C. Hafen was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1996 and received emeritus status in 2010. A widely recognized family law scholar, he has served as president of BYU–Idaho and dean of the BYU law school. His trilogy on the Atonement included the bestseller The Broken Heart. Elder Hafen recently served as president of the St. George Utah Temple.
Marie K. Hafen received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from BYU. She has taught English and religion classes
at Ricks College and BYU. She has published articles in the Ensign and was co-editor of A Legacy Remembered, a selection
of articles from the Relief Society Magazine. Marie has served as a member of the Deseret News Board of Directors.
