Welcome to the Maxwell Institute podcast.

Today we're pleased to present our executive director, Spencer Flumann, speaking at the 2021

BYU women's conference, speaking on ministering to those who are in faith crisis or otherwise

in need of spiritual care. You can also watch the presentation on BYU's YouTube channel at

BYU Maxwell.

Please also be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter, which you can do at

m.b.b.w.

Thanks and enjoy Professor Flumann.

With some topics, one must tread lightly.

Mine is surely one of those.

When invited to address the matter of loving someone during or after a so-called faith transition,

I knew my words would weave through life stories inflected by disappointment,

desperation, and pain.

And heaven knows this question is almost universally

pertinent. There aren't many families who haven't experienced one or more members who choose a path

away from the restored gospel, mine included. As a result of the pervasiveness of this issue

and the heavy burdens that often come with it, I'll issue

some essential caveats at the outset. First, no one can address the varied family or

individual cases or issues involved, and especially not in 30 minutes. Second, I might say

something wrong. If the past is any guide, I most certainly will. So please be patient

with my well-intentioned, but no doubt imperfect attempt to offer comfort. Third, my words are

shaped by my own experiences, rooted in my own family life and fashioned during more than two decades of university teaching and church service.

...