About 4 years ago, our Addiction Support Group discovered that the 12 Steps break down naturally into "Preparation" and "Action" pairs that naturally reflect the "preparation" and "action" covenants that we make when we take the Sacrament.
In the prayer on the Bread, we covenant to be "WILLING" (i.e. Prepare our Hearts & Minds). Steps 2, 4, 6, 8, 10a & 11 are "Preparation" Steps.
In the prayer on the Water, we covenant to "DO" (i.e. Action). Steps 3, 5, 7, 9, 10b & 12 are "Action" Steps.
Example: In Step 8, we "become willing to make restitution to [people we have harmed]" In Step 9 we "make direct restitution to all persons [we] have harmed.
We have a one-page summary of this structure ("12 Steps to Apply the Atonement") that we share in our support groups. I would be happy to share to others (through Laura, for Anonymity's sake), it people are interested.
CLGWJanuary 31, 2019
I have been attending a community, Al-Anon weekly meeting - the program for families and friends of alcoholics, and have found the 12 steps (we use the same as in AA) and the fellowship with others who have lived with the same pain to be such a blessing in my healing and in my relationship with my alcoholic family member. I have found the things I have learned from the group and the daily devotional readings (along with my regular scripure study) to apply to much more of my life and relationships than just what I originally went for and my relationship with the Savior has become much stronger, more comforting, and actually a powerful force in my life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful insights on the ARP 12 step meetings too. I have felt the same way about this inspired program speaking the peace and grace of Christ.
JohnJanuary 30, 2019
The reason 12 steps work where religious efforts fail is the personal experience with God, and the seeking of a personal understanding of God. Rarely does one find the freedom and encouragement to develop a strong personal relationship with God as THE pathway to understanding and knowledge of him, in a church service or classroom.
Additionally, many people suffering from addiction have rejected organized religion as a result of their (sometimes horrific) negative experiences there. Any mention of Jesus or of a specific religious ideology when illustrating the process of recovery through twelve steps is frowned upon. The freedom to not know, but the encouragement to seek, is one of the greatest gifts in the 12 step programs.
DukeJanuary 29, 2019
This article is so absolutely correct. After having served as a church service missionary for 8 years leading pornography addiction 12-step groups, I tell every person that they should have the book and read/study it regularly. It is completely about experiencing the Savior's atonement in our lives. Who wouldn't want more of that? The 12 steps are really an in-depth manual on the Doctrine of Christ. Steps 1-3 are about faith; steps 4-9 teach us how to repent; step 10 is about keeping our baptism covenant; step 11 is about receiving the Holy Ghost, and step 12 teaches us how to endure to the end.
ChrisJanuary 29, 2019
Thank you so much for this article! There is a reason the ARP 12 step meetings are the best in the church...honesty and vulnerability. Too often in gospel doctrine classes, or others, we only want to share how much we know, not how much we need the Savior.
I've learned in my own recovery that we are all in recovery...every one of us. We are here to recover from mortality. In Ether 12:27 the secret it right in the middle of that verse..."my grace is sufficient". That's the gospel, the good news.
The problem we have in the church is that we have grown up culturally thinking that we have to do it on our own, then the Savior can make up the difference. But really, the atonement is a daily partnership with Him, and it's an awesome way to live.
The 12 program is for anyone and everyone.
JLIJanuary 29, 2019
I’ve been in the church 12-step family support group for one year now & can endorse everything written here. In my own daily 12-step homework, I’m only in step 5 after a year. This is why I think the program works so well. You can’t rush through it.12-steps (working it daily) has kept me constantly focused. That’s what it takes, at least for me.
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J. -- PASG Group FacilitatorFebruary 3, 2019
About 4 years ago, our Addiction Support Group discovered that the 12 Steps break down naturally into "Preparation" and "Action" pairs that naturally reflect the "preparation" and "action" covenants that we make when we take the Sacrament. In the prayer on the Bread, we covenant to be "WILLING" (i.e. Prepare our Hearts & Minds). Steps 2, 4, 6, 8, 10a & 11 are "Preparation" Steps. In the prayer on the Water, we covenant to "DO" (i.e. Action). Steps 3, 5, 7, 9, 10b & 12 are "Action" Steps. Example: In Step 8, we "become willing to make restitution to [people we have harmed]" In Step 9 we "make direct restitution to all persons [we] have harmed. We have a one-page summary of this structure ("12 Steps to Apply the Atonement") that we share in our support groups. I would be happy to share to others (through Laura, for Anonymity's sake), it people are interested.
CLGWJanuary 31, 2019
I have been attending a community, Al-Anon weekly meeting - the program for families and friends of alcoholics, and have found the 12 steps (we use the same as in AA) and the fellowship with others who have lived with the same pain to be such a blessing in my healing and in my relationship with my alcoholic family member. I have found the things I have learned from the group and the daily devotional readings (along with my regular scripure study) to apply to much more of my life and relationships than just what I originally went for and my relationship with the Savior has become much stronger, more comforting, and actually a powerful force in my life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful insights on the ARP 12 step meetings too. I have felt the same way about this inspired program speaking the peace and grace of Christ.
JohnJanuary 30, 2019
The reason 12 steps work where religious efforts fail is the personal experience with God, and the seeking of a personal understanding of God. Rarely does one find the freedom and encouragement to develop a strong personal relationship with God as THE pathway to understanding and knowledge of him, in a church service or classroom. Additionally, many people suffering from addiction have rejected organized religion as a result of their (sometimes horrific) negative experiences there. Any mention of Jesus or of a specific religious ideology when illustrating the process of recovery through twelve steps is frowned upon. The freedom to not know, but the encouragement to seek, is one of the greatest gifts in the 12 step programs.
DukeJanuary 29, 2019
This article is so absolutely correct. After having served as a church service missionary for 8 years leading pornography addiction 12-step groups, I tell every person that they should have the book and read/study it regularly. It is completely about experiencing the Savior's atonement in our lives. Who wouldn't want more of that? The 12 steps are really an in-depth manual on the Doctrine of Christ. Steps 1-3 are about faith; steps 4-9 teach us how to repent; step 10 is about keeping our baptism covenant; step 11 is about receiving the Holy Ghost, and step 12 teaches us how to endure to the end.
ChrisJanuary 29, 2019
Thank you so much for this article! There is a reason the ARP 12 step meetings are the best in the church...honesty and vulnerability. Too often in gospel doctrine classes, or others, we only want to share how much we know, not how much we need the Savior. I've learned in my own recovery that we are all in recovery...every one of us. We are here to recover from mortality. In Ether 12:27 the secret it right in the middle of that verse..."my grace is sufficient". That's the gospel, the good news. The problem we have in the church is that we have grown up culturally thinking that we have to do it on our own, then the Savior can make up the difference. But really, the atonement is a daily partnership with Him, and it's an awesome way to live. The 12 program is for anyone and everyone.
JLIJanuary 29, 2019
I’ve been in the church 12-step family support group for one year now & can endorse everything written here. In my own daily 12-step homework, I’m only in step 5 after a year. This is why I think the program works so well. You can’t rush through it.12-steps (working it daily) has kept me constantly focused. That’s what it takes, at least for me.
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