L I N K S
TO OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
It is my belief that the resources listed below can be helpful, but no
endorsement or recommendation is
implied. I encourage each of us to always pray for personal guidance in our
individual spiritual efforts.
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Most of the LDS titles in the
following list can be obtained from
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LDS Harrison, Philip A. Clean Hands, Pure Heart. ISBN 1-930738-19-6. Distributed by Rosehaven Publishing at P.O. Box 247, Pleasant Grove, Utah, 84062, Phone 1-888-790-740, or online at: http://www.rosehavenpublishing.com.
If I could only recommend one book to someone struggling with addiction, this is the book I would choose.
To all the hundreds of men and women who have been encouraged by my Steven Cramer books, but felt the need for more practical, step-by-step, how-do-I-make-it-happen guide on how to apply the principles I've testified of, at last I can say, "Here it is. Here at last is a book that explains it better than I ever did."
As one who was addicted to pornography for over thirty years, as one who has been blessed to experience the new birth and mighty change of heart that can only come from the Savior, I've been writing about the recovery and healing process for over twenty years. After eight books of my own, I am thrilled to share my opinion that no one has explained it better or made it more believable than Phil Harrison in this book.
The scriptures tell us that the Lord delights in plainness. All our lives we've heard how simple the gospel is. But it doesn't seem simple or plain when an overpowering addiction has us tangled in defeat and shame and we can't seem to make the principles work for us. In my opinion, this book illustrates the path to recovery so plainly, so understandably and convincingly that one cannot wait to throw away the shackles and start anew on the road to recovery, confident that this time, the changes will be permanent.
Beyond the scriptures, there is no book (written by man) that can save you or give you freedom, victory and cleanliness, for only the Lord can do that. But this book, better than any other I've read, can help us set aside our doubts and fears, help us to open the door to our heart that makes it possible for the Savior to enter and work his miracles within us. While intended to be used in LDS 12-Step support groups, this book can certainly be used individually.
I am certain that the sexual addictions I described in "The Worth of a Soul" and its expanded rewrite, "The Worth of Every Soul" would never have lasted thirty years if someone had taught me the principles and process explained so masterfully in Phil Harrison's book, "Clean Hands, Pure Heart." How I wish Phil Harrison had been born fifty years sooner!
If you are yearning to be free of addiction, sin and guilt, if you are yearning for peace and to feel right with yourself, your loved ones and your Lord, please read, study, digest, trust and apply the principles you will discover in this book.
LDS Harrison, Colleen C. He Did Deliver Me From Bondage. ISBN 1-93073801-3. Distributed by Rosehaven Publishing at P.O. Box 247, Pleasant Grove, Utah, 84062, Phone 1-888-790-740 or online at: http://www.rosehavenpublishing.com.
This self-guiding workbook merges the time-tested principles from the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which have helped millions to recover from that addiction, with the gospel principles of repentance, forgiveness and spiritual transformation, as revealed in LDS scriptures. It identifies many of the self-defeating assumptions so many Mormons make about having to obey everything perfectly, on their own, in order to be acceptable to God. It presents compelling instructions on how to believe, accept and draw upon the promises Christ has made to help us overcome the weaknesses we cannot conquer by ourselves. While intended to be used in LDS 12-Step support groups, it can also be used individually.
LDS
Beck, Martha and Nibley, John C. Breaking the Cycle of
Compulsive Behavior. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.
These LDS psychologists testify of the need to rely on the atonement of Christ as the only way the vicious cycle of compulsive behavior can be broken. It is uses an approach based on LDS doctrine for compulsive behavior. It is an excellent resource, since it deals with the root of compulsive/obsessive disorder rather than the "leaves" (e.g., the person's acting out behavior of choice -- overeating, kleptomania, sex, drugs, alcohol, anorexia, etc.)
LDS Byrd,
A. Dean, and Mark Chamberlain. Willpower is Not Enough. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book
This book explains why real change requires more than determination and why willpower often prevents change more than helping it. It tells how to get past the limitations of the mind and draw upon the stronger power of the heat and emotions. Each principle is illustrated by compelling case studies about the dilemmas and recoveries of real people.
Carnes, Patrick J. Don't Call it Love: Recovery from Sexual Addiction
(formerly titled Sexual Addiction). New York: Bantam Books, 1991. ISBN
0-553-35138-9
Based on research involving over 1,000 recovering sex addicts and co-addicts, this comprehensive work outlines the stages of recovery and presents advice from the addicts and co-addicts themselves as they work to overcome their compulsive behavior. Recommended both for counselors and for recovering people.
Carnes, Patrick J. A Gentle Path Through the
Twelve Steps. 1992. Published by Hazelden
Educational Materials, P.O. Box 176, Center City, MN 55012-0176.
A workbook on the Twelve Steps specifically designed with both the sex addict and the co-addicts in mind. It offers comprehensive and practical exercises for each of the twelve steps for anyone working a sexual recovery program.
Carnes, Patrick J. Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction.
Minneapolis: CompCare Publications, 1985. Also published by Hazelden Educational
Materials, P.O. Box 176, Center City, MN 55012-0176. ISBN
0896380866.
This is the landmark book introducing and legitimizing the concept of sexual behaviors and sexual fantasies as an addictive disease. Dr. Carnes proposes three levels of sexual addiction, describes the addiction cycle and its progression, and presents the faulty core beliefs of the addict and the co-addict and their healthy counterparts.
Hope and Recovery: A Twelve-Step Guide for Healing From Compulsive
Sexual Behavior. 1987. Published by Hazelden
Educational Materials, P.O. Box 176, Center City, MN 55012-0176.
This was one of the first books to comprehensively describe the application of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to sexual addiction and compulsivity. It also includes a wide range of personal stories in which recovering sexual addicts share their experience, strength, and hope.
LDS Jeppsen, Rod. Turn Yourselves and Live: Is Any
Thing Too Hard for the Lord? ISBN 0-9661898-0-9.
Available from Evergreen, Deseret Book, and BYU Bookstores.
This book also helps the reader to identify the root problems in compulsive sexual addictions. It provides hope and practical guidance to those who are struggling with a compulsive sexual lifestyle as well as the individuals who are trying to help them get out of such behavior. The workbook format helps the reader to get out of denial, distinguish the difference between irrational thoughts and rational Christ-centered thoughts and shows them how to defuse "trigger points" that perpetuate the addiction.
LDS
Kimball, Spencer W. The Miracle of
Forgiveness. Bookcraft Publishers, Salt
Lake City, UT, 1969.
While stern and uncompromising in its condemnation of sin, this book is filled with hope, encouragement and promise of divine help for every person who is ready and willing to repent. It explains why the sinner is suffering and the pathway out of that pain to forgiveness and peace.
LDS McGrew,
J. Michael, ed. "What
Every Bishop Should Know about Men with Pornography Addictions."
An excellent article that can help addicts and family
members, too.
LDS
Oaks, Dallin H. "Free Agency and Freedom."
Papers from the 3rd Annual Book of Mormon Symposium, BYU, pp. 1-17.
This 10/11/87 fireside address discusses how wrong choices limit our
freedom. People susceptible to certain addictive behaviors have impaired
freedom, but still have agency and are responsible for their acts.
LDS Robinson,
Stephen E. Believing Christ and Following
Christ, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company.
Two excellent books for learning to believe and claim the promises of Christ in our lives. How to bridge the doubts and hang-ups of perfectionism that keep so many from fully coming to Christ and receiving the transforming power of His divine grace. Brother Robinson illustrates the power of the Savior as he uses analogies and parables, as well as scriptures and personal experiences in these moving books. As long as we progress in some degree, the Lord will be pleased and will bless us. We must not only believe in Christ but also believe Him - believe that He has the power to exalt us, that He can do what He claims. People will better understand the doctrines of mercy, justification, and salvation by grace after reading these two books.
Weiss, Douglas. The Final Freedom: Pioneering Sexual Addiction
Recovery. January 1998.
Perhaps one of the best information sources on sex addiction to date. This book explains the biological and psychological reasons someone becomes a sex addict. The new cycle of sex addiction as well as a practical outline for early recovery is also found in The Final Freedom.
Organizations
LDS Clean-LDS
An e-mail support group for people with pornography problems.
LDS Heart t' Heart
12-Step organization with an emphasis on the Book of Mormon for
people dealing with addictions
E-mail: help@heart-t-heart.org
LDS Latter-day Saint Recovery
Sexual addiction recovery support and resources, including discussion
forums
LDS LDS SSA Recovery Resources
Includes lists of organizations and publications supporting Latter-day
Saints who are trying to deal properly with sexual addictions and same-sex
attraction.
LDS Salt Lake
Counseling Center
Sexual Trauma & Recovery (STAR)
Mark Chamberlain, Dan Gray, Todd Olson
151 E. 5600 South #204
Murray, UT 84107
(801)262-2400
Setting
Captives Free
A free 60-day Christian sexual addiction recovery program that emphasizes
the teachings of the Scriptures and offers daily help from mentors who have
successfully overcome their own addictive problems
LDS Springs of Water
Support for Latter-day Saints overcoming all kinds of spiritual challenges
Steven Cramer's website
http://www.oocities.org/StevenACramer