I listened to this talk by Jared Halverson that can help people who are working through doubts or questions about their faith. He explains how the plan of salvation mirrors our mortal experience. We begin with a “creation” stage where things seem simple and clear. Then we eventually hit the “fall” stage, where questions and doubts shake what we thought we understood. As difficult as that can be, the fall is part of our growth and part of learning to rely on the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Brother Halverson points out that this pattern shows up in many parts of life: parenting, marriage, education, conversion, and faith itself. We aren’t meant to stay in the creation stage forever. We are meant to move through the fall so we can rebuild on a stronger foundation. The atonement stage is where faith becomes steady, chosen, and anchored in the Savior.

Faith crisis doesn’t have to be the end of belief, it can be the middle of the story, it can be the moment that allows for new levels of growth and understanding of the atonement. Understanding creation, fall, and atonement in our own spiritual development can make the experience less confusing and more meaningful.