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I saw this article in the Ensign magazine: http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/my-journey-from-alcoholism-to-sobriety?lang=eng The article is titled:
My Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety. I don’t remember the church being this open about addiction or alcoholism.
Is this a new change in attitude? In the past, addiction to drugs or alcohol was usually automatic excommunication. (I think)
Our Bishop was recently released & now has a new calling within our Stake with this “Addiction Recovery Program”.
He seems excited with it.
Just curious.
Mike from Milton.
I think there is something to be said for the being more open and tolerant, something Pres Monson is known for. Some of the “I am a Mormon” ads also show some of these things where they show real people, not perfect little nuclear families. It is an interesting balance of being apart from the world, but not too peculiar that the world can’t relate to us. Fwiw, addiction in and of itself hasn’t been grounds for automatic excommunication – or even disfellowshipment. Some Bishops have taken a hard line, I’m sure, but most people who drink or smoke “just” lose their temple recommends. Having said that, I’m really glad to see an article like this in the Ensign. There have been some statements over the years from leaders about wishing we smelled more tobacco smoke in our chapels (not from actively smoking, obviously, but from residual smoke smells), but it’s good to see articles written about it. Frankly, this is one of the things I’d love to see changed. I’d like to see the WofW requirement be limited to the temple (since I don’t see that changing any time soon and doing so would be a MAJOR change in the eyes of most members) and not have complete “abstinance / recovery” be a requirement for baptism. If we don’t excommunicate people for it, I don’t think we should require it of new members. I’d like to see them be allowed to be baptized, with the goal of giving up the addictive substance within a year to be able to attend the temple.
Mike wrote:I saw this article in the Ensign magazine:
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/my-journey-from-alcoholism-to-sobriety?lang=eng The article is titled:
My Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety. I don’t remember the church being this open about addiction or alcoholism.
Is this a new change in attitude? In the past, addiction to drugs or alcohol was usually automatic excommunication. (I think)
as ray mentioned, addiction is not a cause for church discipline by itself.all this said, i am not sure i feel comfortable with the way the church has “borrowed” the 12 steps, made some minor but very disturbing changes, and then sanctified this program. the idea of anonymity seems to be completely lost here, the idea of confessing to priesthood authority…these and others change the program in a way that guts its spirit.
as well…it appears as if this program applies ouside of substance addiction to alleged process addictions like sex and porn… i dont know…
wayfarer, I agree with your statement: Quote:i am not sure i feel comfortable with the way the church has “borrowed” the 12 steps, made some minor but very disturbing changes, and then sanctified this program. the idea of anonymity seems to be completely lost here, the idea of confessing to priesthood authority…these and others change the program in a way that guts its spirit.
I understand that the Church recovery program doesn’t replace AA or that they don’t discourage members from participating in the AA program. That’s good. There are things that can only be done in AA.
Mike from Milton.
The “Addiction Recovery Program” has been around for at least 6 years. Maybe 10. cwald wrote:The “Addiction Recovery Program” has been around for at least 6 years. Maybe 10.
I remember earlier attempts by LDSSS at least 15-20 years ago when I was more active in the (ahem) other program…:shh: . I didn’t like the approach then either.
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