"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." (2 Nephi 4:34)
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
"And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." Mosiah 5:2
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Trust in the Lord
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Strength of the Temple
On a side note, I have learned another thing this week that might benefit anyone who is struggling with addiction. Talk to someone about it. This someone should be someone you trust and that are you very close to. Someone who will not judge you but will love you and support you. It is recommended that it be your spouse if you are married or a very close friend. I have found that to be true in my own life. If I share my experiences with this addiction, even the failures, with my spouse, she is there to support me and lift me up.
I know I haven't done this everytime but I would like to share a scripture. This scripture came to me this last week when I was sharing a spiritual thought at someone's home. I found it to be very powerful:
Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:17)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Resisting Temptation
Before I started on this post, I read a post on another blog. This post, which was simply titled "Desires" gave me a lot to think about. How strong is my desire to overcome this addiction? What do I honestly need to do to achieve that desire? How is God going to grant me that desire without asking Him? (Alma 29:4) It seems like a simple thing but with profound results. If I ask God in prayer to give my the desire I need to change my heart and mind and I believe that he will hear and answer my prayer then that desire will build within me and change my heart and mind to a point in which I will have "no more desire to do evil." (Alma 19:33) I have always prayed to give me the strength to overcome or withstand, not the desire to change my heart or mind. Thank you Ed for your wonderful insight!
[1] Note: If you would like to know more about what is taught at Candeo, sign-up for the mini-course and you will receive seven keys to overcoming your addiction.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Encompassed and Trapped
In the Addiction Recovery Program Manual by the Church of Jesus Christ, they list this scripture and then ask the question, "Do you feel encompassed or trapped? When do you feel this way most often?" First of all, I would like to say that 2 Nephi 4 is one of my favorite, if not my favorite section of the Book of Mormon. Nephi was a great man, you could even say a great prophet but he was still human and he understood that. This chapter shows that he had weaknesses but he trusted in God that though he has sinned he could be forgiven and overcome everything, with the Lord's help. I turn to this chapter frequently, especially when I am having difficulties. There have been many times in my life in which I have had difficulty with my addiction and it is during those times when I felt encompassed and trapped. That puts me into the OCD cycle and makes me feel very hopeless. Thoughts come to my mind that say, "I will never be able to overcome this" or "Why do I even try?"
Then comes the next question in the manual: When Nephi felt overwhelmed, in whom did he
place his trust? What can you do to place more trust in the Lord? As I said before, Nephi turned to the Lord for help. When I turned to the Lord in fervent and heartfelt prayer, my soul we filled with peace and love. Everytime, I knew, just like I did when I had my prayer answered a few weeks ago that the Lord was there, probably carrying me. I just need to remember to trust in the Lord each and everyday. I cannot forget that. I also need to humble myself to the point that I realize that alone I can do nothing but with the Lord, I can do anything.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Making Progress
I was beginning to go down that funnel and starting thinking about other websites I could go to that would give me the information I desired. I then had another thought. I needed to pull myself out of this funnel immediately. I went to my blog and watched the video "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" from YouTube that was on my last post. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit overpowered the weakness of the flesh. I came out of the funnel and an immediate impression that I needed to post this experience. In some way, I pray that this experience can give others hope that there is a chance for anyone to slowly but surely overcome and change your brain's habits from sexual addiction to something more wholesome and good.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
An Answer to Prayer
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Weakness Back To Strength
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Addiction Recovery
“I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh” (2 Nephi 4:18–21).
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Introduction
Welcome to my site! I hope as the days, weeks, and months go by, that something I post on this blog will be of some use to you. I have been struggling with pornography addiction for seventeen years now. It started off with curiosity of my own body and has spiraled downhill ever since until I took my problem to the Lord with the help of my wife, some great bishops and a great family counselor. I pray that what I share with you will not seem too personal but will be sincere and show forth a desire to share what I have learned in order to help another.
And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)