Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question

The second edition of Bridges, includes a new chapter, titled, “Ministering in Our Families”. It discusses mixed faith marriages and families and that challenges that they face. It provides insights to families members as well as those who want to support mixed faith couples and families. It also includes the feelings and challenges that parents feel when their adult children no longer believe or participate at Church. You can down this chapter below. Almost all active LDS members have a close family member or friend who has stepped away from the LDS Church. Often their reasons are misunderstood. This book helps us understand their real reasons and ways we can show love and concern despite our now different beliefs. By listening with empathy and love, we can retain and strengthen our relationships. And because faith transitions are often traumatic, we can find ways to heal wounds and mourn together.

“A deeply Christian book that calls upon us all to seek understanding and minister to the wounded.”

—Terryl Givens

Bridges in the Media

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Mormon Stories Podcast

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Saints Unscripted

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Gospel Tangents

Praises for Bridges

“Even in a culture of the religiously disaffected, the toll on Latter-day Saint faithful is alarming. David Ostler’s book does not aim to stem the tide, but to lessen the pain of those on both sides of the faith divide. It is a deeply Christian book that calls upon us all to seek understanding and minister to the wounded.”

— Terryl Givens

“Leaders, parents, and friends often feel at a loss when someone they love experiences a faith crisis and leaves the church. How did this happen? What can I do? How can I help? Their sincere love and concern is now perfectly matched by the information and advice in this honest, compassionate, and inspiring book by David Ostler. The church—meaning both the people and the institution—would be well-served to have a dog-eared copy of Bridges in every ward and stake council member's home.”

— Patrick Q. Mason

“All denominations struggle to keep younger generations engaged, but the Latter-day Saint tradition is particularly challenged by the ‘faith crisis’ that occurs when Church members are suddenly confronted with inconvenient truths about its history and doctrine. While other authors have described the phenomenon generally, David Ostler gives us unprecedented access to one of its core elements: the disconnect between what members in crisis are experiencing and how Church leaders are responding. Using data from his own surveys, he not only identifies the dimensions of the disconnect but also gives sensible and helpful suggestions for bridging it. Brutally candid at times, it is nonetheless lovingly written in an attempt to stem the outflow of Church members.”

— Gregory A. Prince

David Ostler’s Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question is one of the most important books I have read in the past decade. Unlike other good books written primarily to those experiencing a crisis of faith, Bridges is written to those who have been called as leaders, fellow saints, and family members to minister to those who once were included in our circle of fellowship and love but who no longer are. It should be required reading for every general and local authority of the Church and every Latter-day Saint parent or other adult who interfaces with those experiencing what is called the ‘Mormon faith crisis.’

— Robert A. Rees

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