The Atonement Application Program

Years ago, when the Church realized that members needed help dealing with addiction, they looked at what worked and didn’t work.  In conjunction with LDS Family Services (then known as LDS Social Services) the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous were adapted into the framework of the doctrines, principles, and beliefs of the Church.  This was back in the late 1990s. Working with those who had experienced recovery, the first ARP (Addiction Recovery Program) guide was approved in 2002.  Since that time, many individuals have attended the weekly meetings and benefited from the principles in the program.  

I was first introduced to the program when I was a bishop of a YSA Ward at BYU-Idaho.  I encouraged several students to attend, and even attended one meeting with a young man from my ward who was too fearful to attend by himself.  

As a family, we decided to use the manual as a resource for our family home evening lessons for a few months.  It was interesting and I liked that there were some good scriptures and quotes incorporated into the steps.  But I didn’t really see that it applied to me.  After all, I wasn’t an addict.

Although I don’t have a bona fide addiction (like alcohol, drugs, pornography, gaming, etc.), I have compulsions, preferences, pleasures, fears, and impulses that sometimes take center stage over my better judgment.  

Recently, I’ve had a few acquaintances refer to the program and praise its approach.  And so I’ve picked it up again and begun studying it again.  One friend calls it the Atonement Application Program.  

It might work with addicts, but it’s not limited to them; everyone everywhere can benefit from it.  We all need to go through our Step 8s, our Step 3s, our Step 6s. If we believe it is only for people who are addicts, we are missing the message—the whole Grace message of Christ’s sacrifice.  We’ll miss seeing that we need Christ in our own selves.  But how poor a gauge we are of our own health.  That’s why we go to doctors.  They can give us doctor’s orders to change certain behaviors that are self destructive.  We don’t tend to find that out ourselves.  Hence, the need for a program.

If this program didn’t work, the Church wouldn’t waste resources on it.  But a tremendous amount of effort has been made.  Like this website.  And this series of inspirational videos.  And support groups that meet all over the country.  

Elder Ballard taught in the October 2010 General Conference:  “I testify to you that your body, mind, and spirit can be transformed, cleansed, and made whole, and you will be freed.”  

The truth shall make us free.  Free from bad habits, and faulty thinking patterns.  Free from the consequences of false ideas whispered by the adversary.  And free from perfectionistic compulsions.

To be continued . . . with Part 48