Enduring a Crisis of Faith

by Rico Maranto

A crisis of faith may feel like the death of our testimony. But what if it is not the death of our testimony, but a rebirth of it? After a lifetime of being a devoted Latter-day Saint, Rico Maranto unexpectedly suffered a severe and devastating crisis of faith that plunged him into what he now calls "the dark night of the soul." Overcome with doubt and uncertainty, he began to feel abandoned by God and all that He has taught. But through the years of his dark night, Rico transitioned from nearly losing his faith to rediscovering rebirth. Now Rico shares his story and explains how his crisis transformed him and entirely changed his perspective on faith. In this inspiring book, Rico reframes our perception of doubt and alleviates the shame and guilt that many feel when experiencing similar faith crises. With his loving understanding and knowledge gained as someone who has been through the storm and come out stronger than ever, you will discover If you or a loved one are struggling with your faith, know that the dark night of the soul is not reason to despair; it is a divinely designed spiritual chrysalis intended to transform us into all the Lord needs us to become-the best version of ourselves.

248 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2023

Reviews

[Amy Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m still going down the rabbit hole of what it means to be spiritually mature. This book offered lots of platitudes, scriptural references, and personal experiences but not enough depth into how to get through the dark night of the soul when you are experiencing it. The author compares the stages of faith to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which I found interesting. I needed more explanation on what it means to regress in those stages and how to move forward when some of those needs aren’t being met.
Still, this was a compelling read and a good starting point for those who are new to the concept of stages of faith.

[Mark Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book. First, it’s a reassuring reminder that seasons of doubt or of feeling abandoned by God are not a sign of weakness or the Lord’s disfavor. And they are not reserved for just a few of His children. Rather, these “crises of faith” are an essential element of spiritual growth. Replete with scriptural references and insights from ancient and modern prophets, the book sets forth the various stages of faith, the needs that accompany them and provides tools for navigating the crises that conjoin them. I found the personal accounts helpful in knowing that I’m not alone in having experienced doubt and estrangement from my Father in Heaven. Perhaps most importantly, I have a greater empathy for those who have experienced or are currently going through the “long dark night of the soul.” This is a book I’ll refer to often as I seek to identify my current spiritual stage and consider if I’m regressing to a comfort stage or seeking the Lord’s help in stretching to a greater alignment with His will. Highly recommend it.