Proposal for a new Institute course: Faith Is Not

Blind.

Purpose of the course: The course is based on the key principles and doctrines outlined in the
book ‘Faith Is Not Blind’ by Bruce C. Hafen and Marie K. Hafen. The purpose of the book is described
by the authors in this way, “We aren’t attempting here to resolve all of the issues you may be
confronting. But we are hoping you find in these pages a pattern for how to think about your
questions and how, through grappling with them, to nourish your faith (in Christ). We hope to help
you make calm of the chaos. We hope to help you hear Him.”

 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 9). Deseret Book.

The structure of the course will be based on 14 chapters of the book with a reading list of relevant
talks and scriptures that seek to expand, clarify and reinforce how students can navigate faith
questions that will help them to better nourish their faith in Christ and His gospel. The class will seek
to offer students a safe environment to ask and answer questions. The principles and doctrines
taught will provide a pattern to equip students with the necessary tools when facing the
complexities of life’s faith challenges.

Sub outcomes
 Students will identify/select a religious question / issue of the soul they face by the end
of lesson 3
 Students will use the patterns and real-life experiences from the podcasts to inform their
questions
 Students will write a paper of what they have learned in connection with their religious
question of the soul
 Students will be given time each week to add notes to their paper
 Starting during lesson 6 students who desire will be given opportunities to lead
discussions on their findings

Lesson 1: Faith Is Not Blind. Or Deaf. Or Dumb

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 1)
 3 Nephi 11:3-17; Compare Mary and Zacharias (Luke 1:11-20 & Luke
1:38, 46-47), D&C 46:11,13-14; Alma 7:8; Alma 32:32-33
 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - “Lord, I Believe” April 2013 GC
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 “Encountering surprises and uncertainties is actually part of faith’s
natural growth process…Working through such opposition is the only
way to develop authentic, well-tested spiritual maturity… True faith is
 not blind, or deaf, or dumb. Rather, true faith sees, and overcomes, her
adversary.” (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 12). Deseret Book.)
 “The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—
it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the
truth you already know.” ( Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - “Lord, I Believe”
April 2013 GC)
Student Class Activity
 Faith is Not Blind Introduction -

Lesson 2: Simplicity Beyond Complexity

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 2)
 1 Nephi 4:6-13, 2 Nephi 2:11, 1 Nephi 8 (Gen Adam and Eve experience
sacrifices)
 Lawrence E. Corbridge ‘Stand Forever’ January 22, 2019 BYU Speeches
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 Seeking a little order for the chaotic part, we’d like to share a model of
thought that tries to encourage both clear thinking and faithful choosing.
When held together, thought and faith can interact to help us keep our
spiritual balance—and help us grow…[This] three-stage model …builds
on a perspective offered by the distinguished American judge Oliver
Wendell Holmes: “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.” Stage One of our model is the simplicity on
this side of complexity, innocent and untested. Stage Two is complexity,
the gap between the real and the ideal, where we struggle with conflicts
and uncertainty. Stage Three is the simplicity beyond complexity, a
settled and informed perspective that has been tempered and tested by
time and experience.” (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind Deseret
Book.)
Student Class Activity
 Share podcast scenarios of religious questions and issues of the soul,
invitation to choose one they would like to seek an answer to. Have
 students review and reflect through writing on a podcast by applying the
patterns to questions of the soul https://www.faithisnotblind.org/

Lesson 3: Simplicity, Complexity, and the Internet Age

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 3)
 D&C 88:118; Isaiah 5:20; Joseph Smith History 1:5-20
 “Doubt Not, but Be Believing” Elder Dale G. Renlund with Sister Ruth
L. Renlund - Seminaries and Institutes of Religion Annual Training
Broadcast June 12, 2018
 Doctrinal Mastery Core Document : Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 Learning to recognize and avoid unreliable sources can protect us from
misinformation and from those who seek to destroy faith.’ (Doctrinal
Mastery Core Document Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge principle 3:12)
 “Doubt, unless transmuted into inquiry [from the correct sources], has no
value or worth in the world… Stagnant doubt does not lead to knowing
the reality of the Savior, Jesus Christ;’ (“Doubt Not, but Be Believing”
Elder Dale G. Renlund with Sister Ruth L. Renlund - Seminaries and
Institutes of Religion Annual Training Broadcast June 12, 2018)
 “As you continue your search for faith, …please keep the
commandments. Otherwise you will bias your search. If the affections of
your heart are attached to the vices of this world, your head won’t make
you—perhaps won’t even let you—believe in the virtues of God’s
world.” (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind Deseret Book.)
Student Class Activity
 Solidify the question / issues of the soul and share it with the instructor

Lesson 4: Some Internet Soft Spots

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 4)
 Alma 30:53
  Gospel Topics – Answering Gospel Questions (see section on ‘Consult
reliable and authoritative sources’)
 Trial of Your Faith - By Elder Neil L. Andersen – October 2012 GC
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 As we consult reliable and authoritative sources, and consider the motives
of those who prepared each source we can avoid being deceived.
 As we learn to detect partial truths and lack of context will help us detect
Satan’s lies. (Alma 30:53 – Korihor ‘’…I taught them because they were
pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much
success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true…’) “In the
largest study of fake news to date, MIT data scientists in 2018 found that
false stories are 70 percent more likely to be retweeted than true stories,
perhaps because they are more “engaging or provocative.” (Hafen, Bruce
C.. Faith Is Not Blind Deseret Book.)
 “There have always been a few who want to discredit the Church and to
destroy faith. Today they use the Internet. Some of the information about
the Church, no matter how convincing, is just not true.” (Trial of Your
Faith - By Elder Neil L. Andersen – October 2012 GC)
Student Class Activity
 Each student is to introduce the written paper idea with their question of
the soul.

Lesson 5: Productive Ambiguity

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 5)
 Ether 12:24–30; Genesis 22; doctrinal exceptions “Come ye out from the
wicked” (Alma 5:57) versus “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with
them” (Luke 15:2).
“That the church may stand independent above all other creatures” (D&C
78:14) versus “This is wisdom, make unto yourselves friends with the
mammon of unrighteousness, and they will not destroy you.” (D&C
82:22). The Savior is the Prince of Peace but is also “the Lord of Hosts”
meaning a man of war, a God of battles (Exodus 15:3).
 Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - The Adventure of Mortality - Worldwide
Devotional for Young Adults - January 14, 2018
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 Ether 12:24–30 - The Lord has a way of helping us resolve our
ambiguities in ways that both stretch and strengthen us.
 If we can resolve our ambiguities with a believing attitude, our faithful
choices will lead ultimately to our sanctification.
 If we will daily strive to follow the Savior, Elder Uchtdorf promised we
will one day look back to “see that the dots really did connect into a
beautiful pattern, more sublime than you ever could have imagined. With
unspeakable gratitude, you will see that God Himself, in His abounding
love, grace, and compassion, was always there watching over you,
blessing you, and guiding your steps as you walked toward Him.”
Student Class Activity
 Students given time to add to their paper at the end of class based on the
principles learnt in class.

Lesson 6: The Head and Heart Paradox

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 6)
 Will You Engage in the Wrestle? - Sheri Dew BYU Devotional.
 D&C 8:2-3; D&C 88: 40; 118
 Opposition in All Things - By Elder Dallin H. Oaks – April 2016

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

 [God] has promised to reveal truth to our minds and hearts through the
Holy Ghost if we will diligently seek Him (D&C 8:2-3; D&C 88: 40;
118)
 ‘If we want to grow spiritually, the Lord expects us to ask questions and
seek answers.’ - Will You Engage in the Wrestle? - Sheri Dew BYU
Devotional.
 "[A]fter all we can publish, our members are sometimes left with basic
questions that cannot be resolved by study...Some things can be learned
only by faith. Our ultimate reliance must be on faith in the witness we
have received from the Holy Ghost." (Opposition in All Things - By
Elder Dallin H. Oaks – April 2016)
Student Class Activity
 Students will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered in
small groups, leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 7: Beyond Balance

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 7)
 D&C 101: 2-5; D&C 121-122; John 16:17-20; John 20:4; Mosiah 3:19
 “The Challenge to Become,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 40; Ensign, Nov. 2000,
32). – President Oaks
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 ‘…the Lord sometimes uses adversity to teach His followers what they
need to learn for their development.’ - Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not
Blind (p. 54).
 “The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what
our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (“The Challenge to Become,”
Liahona, Jan. 2001, 40; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32). – President Oaks
Student Class Activity
 Students will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered in
small groups, leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 8: When Do the Angels Come?

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 8)
 Spiritually Defining Memories - By Elder Neil L. Andersen April 2020
GC
 Alma 33:16 D&C 98:1–3; D&C 90:24, 100:15

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

 Through the Saviour and His atonement our previous powerful spiritual
experiences ‘can be enriched by our later, perhaps more turbulent,
 experience. The very meaning of our earlier witnesses will grow richer
with the perspective of both time and complexity.’ - Hafen, Bruce C..
Faith Is Not Blind (p. 61). Deseret Book.
 We can help those who have set their defining memories aside by turning
them toward the Saviour as we share our faith and memories.
 “God gave us memories, that we might have June roses in the December
of our lives” (in Thomas S. Monson, “Think to Thank,” Ensign, Nov.
1998, 19; Liahona, Jan. 1999, 22). The same is true with spiritual
memories. They may be most helpful in the cold, trying times of our lives
when we need those “June” spiritual memories. (Spiritually Defining
Memories - By Elder Neil L. Andersen April 2020 GC)
Student Class Activity
 One student will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered,
leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 9: Value of the Veil

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 9)
 John 7:17, D&C 110:1; John 1:5; Luke 16:30-31
 ‘Patience’ – Elder Maxwell – October 1980 GC
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 Eternal life—knowing Them—is a quality of life, the fruit of the long-
term, difficult, gradual development of the capacity to become as Christ
is. When we begin to live as He does, we will begin to know Him.’ -
Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 69). Deseret Book.
 ‘Central to that growth process is mortality’s unique opportunity to let us
learn by experience—by practice—which is the only way we can develop
capacities and skills. We’re not here just to learn facts and absorb
information… The process of becoming Christlike is more about
acquiring skills than it is about learning facts and figures.’ (Hafen, Bruce
C.. Faith Is Not Blind)
 The veil allows us to develop Christlike skills/attributes without
compulsion
 “Without the veil, we would lose that precious insulation, thus interfering
with our mortal probation and maturation. Without the veil, our brief
 mortal walk in a darkening world would lose its meaning—for one would
scarcely carry the flashlight of faith at noonday and in the presence of the
Light of the World!” (‘Patience’ – Elder Neal A. Maxwell – BYU 27th
November 1979)
Student Class Activity
 Students will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered in
small groups, leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 10: Choosing to Believe

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 10)
 Mormon 9: 18–19, 27; D& C 90: 24; Luke 8: 8; 2 Corinthians 5: 7; 1
Nephi 11: 4–6
 Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” Ensign, Nov.
2015, p. 65.
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 ‘Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to
believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing
stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not
only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace
of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future
of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.’ (Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is
Not by Chance, but by Choice,” Ensign, Nov. 2015, p. 65.)
 ‘The Savior offers the grace of His saving and exalting blessings only as
we willingly participate in our own deliverance by choosing to believe
Him, then by exerting all our strength to follow Him. This voluntary,
active participation is essential to the growth process that results in our
personal and spiritual development.” - Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not
Blind (Chapter 10)
Student Class Activity
 One student will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered,
leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.
Lesson 11: A Witness More Powerful Than Sight
Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 11)
 3Nephi 12:1-2; John 20 :24-29; Philip. 3:10; Acts 9; D&C 121:3–7; D&C
122:7
 The Atonement: All for All - Elder Bruce C. Hafen April 2004 GC
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 Blessed Are They That Have Not Seen, and Yet Have Believed - John
20 :24-29
 ‘When we really are afflicted in the afflictions of other people, we may
enter “the fellowship of his sufferings” (Philip. 3:10) enough to become
joint-heirs with Him.’ - The Atonement: All for All - Elder Bruce C.
Hafen April 2004 GC
 ‘I once heard President Harold B. Lee say: ‘I know by a witness more
powerful than sight that Jesus is the Christ…The witness more powerful
than sight applies especially to the role of actual, demanding experience
in developing a witness that one knows the Savior. It is one thing to know
about Him or even to see Him—but quite another to know Him. And that
higher degree of “knowing” usually comes after complexity. Often it
comes because of complexity.” - Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind
(Chapter 11)
Student Class Activity
 Students will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered in
small groups, leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 12: Climbing to Know God

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 12)
 1 Nephi 22:31; 2 Nephi 31:20; 2 Nephi 33:4; Mark 4 Parable of the
sower; Matt 13:57
 Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction -By Elder
Jeffrey R. Holland Ensign October 2007
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
  ‘[The] Savior’s love reaches far beyond any complexity, any doubt or
darkness or fear…when we are surrounded by complexities and fears, if
we don’t choose to give the Lord and His Church the benefit of the
doubt…we probably won’t walk far enough down the road of faith and
sacrifice to discover the simplicity of peace within the love of God.’
(Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 86). Deseret Book. )
 ‘…every blessing offered by God is available to anyone who obeys the
laws upon which those blessings are predicated (see D&C 130:20–21).
No one who lives the gospel should despair. Hope and peace come from
the Comforter, and the answer to despair is to invite the Holy Ghost into
our lives.’ (Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction -
By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Ensign October 2007)
Student Class Activity
 One student will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered,
leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 13: Life and My Life

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 13)
 1 Corinthians 2:5, 9–11(JST v11); Esther 4:14
 Doctrinal Mastery Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge - Examine Concepts
and Questions with an Eternal Perspective.
 “As He Thinketh in His Heart” [evening with Elder Dallin H. Oaks,
Feb.8, 2013)
 Truth and Tolerance Elder Dallin H. Oaks - CES Devotional for Young
Adults - September 11, 2011
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 ‘that’s what the restored gospel is all about—helping us find and develop
the fullest personal meaning of our own lives… The simplicity beyond
complexity has at its core “the words of eternal life.” (Hafen, Bruce C..
Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 13)
 President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “If we live in such a way that the
considerations of eternity press upon us, we will make better decisions”
(“The Things of Eternity—Stand We in Jeopardy?” Ensign, Jan. 1977, 3;
see also student manual, 81).
  ‘Having an eternal perspective allows us to reframe questions and view
ideas based on the Lord’s standard of truth rather than the world’s
assumptions. As we stay anchored to our trust in our Heavenly Father and
His plan of salvation, we are able to see issues more clearly.’ (Doctrinal
Mastery Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge - Examine Concepts and
Questions with an Eternal Perspective.)
 ‘Beware of Moral Relativism’ (Truth and Tolerance Elder Dallin H. Oaks
- CES Devotional for Young Adults - September 11, 2011)
Student Class Activity
 Students will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered in
small groups, leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction.

Lesson 14: The Benefit of the Doubt and Moving Beyond

Complexity
Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 14)
 2 Kings 5:1–14
 L. Whitney Clayton, “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,” Ensign or
Liahona, May 2017, 99.
 “Race and the Priesthood,” Gospel Topics Essays,
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 “God asks us to bear with Him—to trust Him and to follow Him. … He
cautions us that we shouldn’t expect easy answers or quick fixes from
heaven. Things work out when we stand firm during the ‘trial of [our]
faith,’ however hard that test may be to endure or slow the answer may be
in coming. I am not speaking of “blind obedience” but of thoughtful
confidence in the perfect love and the perfect timing of the Lord. ” (L.
Whitney Clayton, “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,” Ensign or
Liahona, May 2017, 99).
 “Faith is a greater blessing than proof because it gives us a relationship
with Jesus. All good relationships are bound together by love. And love is
always an expression of faith. . . . We are changed by what we love more
than [by] what we think.” (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 100).
Deseret Book.)
  The love of God expressed through others can give us a reason to believe
when we meet the complexities/trials of life. “In my hour of need [he]
could give me a reason to believe when no clear answers were readily
apparent.” (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 99). Deseret Book.)
Student Class Activity
 One student will be given 15 minutes to share what they have discovered,
leaving 30-40 minutes for instruction. Time given to students on paper.

Lesson 15: The Spirit of the Army

Suggested Lesson Material
 Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (Chapter 15)
 Moroni 10:3-5; Proverbs 3:5. Examples of noncontingent faith in Christ
(Dan 3; Mosiah 17; Mosiah 27; Alma 56:56; Alma 24:22; Moroni 9:6;
Matt 11:5; 26)
 ‘The Love and Laws of God’ – President Russell M. Nelson - BYU
Speeches - September 17, 2019
Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts
 ‘Truth number four: The Lord Jesus Christ, whose Church this is,
appoints prophets and apostles to communicate His love and teach His
laws…sometimes we are accused of being uncaring as we teach the
Father’s requirements for exaltation… It is precisely because we do care
deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may
not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely
popular. But we will always teach the truth!’ – (‘The Love and Laws of
God’ – President Russell M. Nelson - BYU Speeches - September 17,
2019)
 ‘When President Wilford Woodruff announced the Manifesto in 1890, he
said, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as
President of this Church to lead you astray” (Official Declaration 1). Yet
President Russell M. Nelson has also asked us to “Give your leaders a
little leeway to make mistakes,” because, as President Dallin H. Oaks put
it, “We don’t believe in the infallibility of our leaders.” Whatever else
“won’t lead you astray” means, it does not mean the Lord’s prophet will
always tell us exactly what to do. Sometimes he asks us to seek our own
 direction, part of helping us learn how to develop our trust in God.’
(Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 102). Deseret Book.)
 ‘When our faith is based on trust and not on certain expected blessings,
we can endure any trial. We don’t know if, when, or how He will deliver
us in the short term, but when we meekly yield to Him our noncontingent
trust, He will always deliver us in the long term.’ (Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith
Is Not Blind (p. 106). Deseret Book.)
Student Class Activity
 Review papers and hold discussion.

‘Who are the people in this army? These are they of the noncontingent trust,
who have grown beyond complexity to the calm trust of informed simplicity;
who trust prophetic leadership not as the outcome of cunning calculations, but
because they have discovered the same convictions and feelings in their own
souls. They have found their own answers, even if not yet all of the answers
they seek. They know enough that they cast not away their confidence. They are
not of them who draw back (see Hebrews 10:35–39). Who are the people in this
army? “Behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who . . .
have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall
inherit the kingdom of God . . . and their joy shall be full forever” (2 Nephi
9:18). “These are they which came out of great tribulation [and complexity],
and have washed their robes . . . white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation
7:14). “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as
I also overcame” (Revelation 3:21; emphasis added). True faith is not blind, or
deaf, or dumb. Rather, true faith sees and overcomes her adversary.’

Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 110). Deseret Book.

‘Eventually, then, we come into the calm of spirit that is mature simplicity, and
there we realize that another passage lies ahead, full of its own complexities.
Stage Three is not our final destination. The simplicity that lies on the far
side of Holmes’s complexity is the simplicity that lies on the front side of
another sanctifying passage…As Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “If we are
serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do
those very things which are most difficult for us to do.”… Blind obedience is
a start—it was for Adam and Eve. But our now-informed faith prepares us—
requires us—to choose whether we will proceed through the next passage,
eyes and hearts wide open to its compression. Such a space is completely
outside the comfort zone of our natural man. But our trust in the promises of the
Comforter—His rest, His unspeakable joy—makes the passage possible. And
we trust that on the other side of this passage, this proverbial Rocky Ridge,
we’ll look back and agree that the price of passage was a privilege to pay.’
Hafen, Bruce C.. Faith Is Not Blind (p. 112). Deseret Book.