I am excited to share that the Mormon Channel has a new video series called #12StepstoChange, talking about the power of 12-step work to help people heal from addiction. Starting September 1st, as part of Addiction Recovery Month, Mormon Channel will feature a story a day from people who have used the 12 steps. Each day will focus on a different step. Edit: You can watch all the videos here.

I plan to share some of that content here, and encourage you to watch the Mormon Channel’s social media channels for updates as well. Find it on Facebook, on Twitter (and YouTube). Or watch the dedicated website page here for updated content.

I also want to say that 12 steps can help with many other things — not just the typical addict’s story (which stories, by the way, are amazing!). I have been doing 12-step work for three and a half years now. I went because there was a lot in my life that was weighing me down, and God guided me to the rooms in various ways over a course of years of time, even before I finally decided to commit to regular attendance and working the steps. (More about my experience here and here.)

I had no idea what to expect but this is some of how my involvement with 12-step recovery and community has changed (and continues to change) my life:

– I found answers about the Atonement that I’d been seeking since my youth (e.g., how do you turn your burden over to Christ?)
– I discovered truth about God that I’d ached to understand but couldn’t access because I had broken beliefs in my brain about Him and was too consumed with earning my worth.
– As a result, I’ve come to know myself with more clarity than ever, and am developing more compassion and understanding for others.
– I’ve come to appreciate the plan of salvation, particularly the doctrine of agency and the need to learn by experience.
– I learned a language (and keep learning more) and a toolkit that have changed my life. This is such a gentle process, and it flows in a “wisdom and order” way that is elegant and clearly divine.
– I have learned that vulnerability, honesty, and asking for help are key to finding God and forging friendships that I hope will last into the eternities. I feel like I’ve experienced glimpses of Zion — changed hearts being knit together in a room where it’s safe to be a messy mortal, to admit your powerlessness, and to testify of God’s amazing, gentle, unspeakable power.

For me, there is no meeting in the Church that is regularly and consistently more powerful than 12-step meetings. I can see why Jesus spent time with people who knew they needed Him, who had nowhere else to go. Humility and reliance on the Savior brings power. And so does the simple willingness to walk into a room seeking help or insight and inspiration about the grace of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is truly sweeter than sweet to witness it in others’ lives, and to experience it in my own.

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See yesterday’s post for some resources for wives that are helping a lot of women find healing and hope.

I should note that with a recent opportunity that came my way (after years of trying to gather information and build community for wives of those struggling with sexual addiction), I have the unique opportunity to work with the woman whose story we are sharing today. Polly is the PR director at Women for Decency (a non-denominational organization focused on helping moms talk to their children about pornography, and also helping women who have been affected by the pornography/sexual addiction of another). 

Polly certainly never planned to be a “poster child” for the wives of pornography addicts. She did all she could, in fact, to avoid getting into a relationship with someone with an addiction. But as you will hear in the video linked below, unbeknownst to her, she did marry someone with an addiction.

And it’s ended up being her life’s passion (besides her family, of course) to help be a voice for women who suffer because of the sexual addiction of their spouse. As a humor writer/blogger, she also hopes to use that gift of humor to help women of all faiths (or no faith at all) feel more comfortable talking with their children, husbands, and others about sex and porn. Whether we know it or not, we all know someone who is personally affected by pornography. So she wants to help us all talk about it!

Even though she works for a non-denominational organization, she does also happen to be a Mormon (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). She (and her husband) chose to share their story on a Mormon Channel interview that was published yesterday: Enduring Pornography (This interview is part of Mormon Channel’s “Enduring it Well” series, hence this particular title, methinks.)

You can read a little more at the Women for Decency blog about why she and her husband are choosing to be open about their experience.

When I found out about my husband’s addiction, I started talking about it openly because I couldn’t help myself. I was in so much pain, I just couldn’t keep it in.

That, and instead of assuming that I was the only woman who married an addict, I assumed that seven out of every ten women were going through the exact same thing. And when I opened my mouth, I found that I was right. Mostly.When I told our story, I heard hundreds of stories of women from all over the country. Sometimes they talked about their brother or their brother-in-law. Sometimes they talked about their daughter. Or their Grandpa….

My husband and I have decided that our life’s work is to share our story. So, if you’re interested and you can get past the solemn intro, here is my husband’s story, from his own lips, about how pornography affected him, how it affected our marriage and how we faced his addiction.

– – – – –

Editor’s postscript: You may not think you have a story to share related to pornography, but the reality is if you are a parent, pornography is already part of your life’s story (or needs to be) because your children need you to help them be ready to guard themselves from its effects. In truth, we all are affected in some way because pornography is all around us. You may have family members or friends struggling with this as well.

It can sometimes feel like the industry is winning, but in reality, education and conversation can have significant impact in reducing the impact of pornography in our lives and homes. With the right tools and support, people can also heal from its effects.

I wear a dual hat now as a website manager who continues to see a lot of search traffic on this topic, and now as an employee of the non-denominational non-profit mentioned above (Women for Decency). With both hats on, I encourage you to get educated about how pornography addiction works and what you can do to help protect your family (and/or heal) from its impact. 

The post WOPA Week (for Wives of Pornography Addicts) post: Another personal story appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This weekend, I listened to this Mormon Channel “Conversations” interview with Stephanie (“NieNie”)and Christian Nielson. I’ve heard their story several times, as I’m sure many (if not most) of our readers have. But I was still so inspired by them and their faith and testimony and the love that is in their family. I wanted to be sure people knew about this interview.

In this conversation with Ruth Todd, they share details of the struggles and the miracles, the perspective they have gained, and the lessons they learned through their trial of being in and recovering from a near-fatal plane crash.

If you haven’t yet seen the Mormon Messages video with the Nielsons (“My New Life“), please take a moment and watch. The Nielsons illustrate how faith in God can help us get through the trials we face. As Elder Holland talks about in the video, the Nielsons show how in times of trial, we can come to know God and feel His love and power.

p.s. Many readers have wondered what the song is in this video — it’s Mindy Gledhill’s “It’s All About Your Heart.”

The post Forward with Faith: Stephanie and Christian Nielson appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

We were excited to see that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a new online radio station today, Mormon Channel. (It’s also available on HDRadio in Bonneville market areas such as Los Angeles, CA; Washington D.C., Chicago, IL; Phoenix, AZ; Seattle, WA; and Salt Lake City, UT.) The content will soon be made accessible via iTunes as well.

This resource will provide content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through a live stream; some programs include podcasts that can be accessed anytime. We include a list and brief description of programs below. (The schedule of live programming can be accessed here.)

Conversations features interviews with members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first interview is with Elder David and Sister Susan Bednar. (Access or subscribe to Conversations podcasts here or sign up for email updates here.)

Into All the World will give glimpses into the Church by talking with people from different countries around the world.  The first interview is with a local leader in Italy, Massimo De Feo. (Access or subscribe to Into All the World podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

The Light of Men will include a series of dramatizations of the life and teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture Stories for Children is a weekly series, featuring discussions with children about the scriptures and doctrinal principles. Music and readings are included. See, for example, the podcast entitled “Jesus Visits the Nephites” (a key story in the Book of Mormon about the Savior’s visit to the American continent.) (Access or subscribe to Scripture Stories for Children podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

Mormon Identity is a weekly talk radio program, hosted by Robert Millet (Professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University). This program will discuss issues important to Latter-day Saints throughout the world, and will also seek to help friends of other faiths understand more about Mormon beliefs and perspectives. The first discussion is with Brent L. Top, and the topic is “how to find serenity in the midst of complexity.” (Access or subscribe to Mormon Identity podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

Stories from General Conference features different gospel topics, including clips from General Conference messages.  The first topic discussed is Forgiveness. (Access or subscribe to Stories from General Conference podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

Legacy shares inspirational stories family and Church history stories. (Access or subscribe to Legacy podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

Music with a Message explores various gospel topics through the power of music. Narration is included as well.

History of Hymns explores the creation and evolution of beloved Church hymns.

Everything Creative — Exploring Creativity: First episode features Dr. Mark Henderson of Weber State University, who discusses creativity and its spiritual components. (Access or subscribe to podcasts here, or sign up for email updates here.)

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