The Safest Road to Heaven

THE SAFEST ROAD TO HEAVEN IS GRADUAL

The idea of using the "Gradual Progress" Principle to help an individual change their lives and move along a given path, began with God.  

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1

As the days went on he created other stuff...one day at a time. How foolish would it have been to have created the fish before the waters?  With little effort you can think of many examples of how God uses the passage of time- in order to bring about his purposes.

The Gradual Principle- is so powerful it works regardless of who applies it---Satan or God. To learn more how Satan uses the Gradual Progress Principle see The Safest Road To Hell.

PERFECTION IS A GRADUAL PROCESS

"...conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience." (Converted unto the Lord, David Bednar, General Conference 2012)

Here's my version of God teaching His ministering angels how to be successful at bringing you and I unto Christ:

You will say that these are very small acts of goodness; and doubtless, like all young ministering angels, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular righteousness and perfection …It does not matter how small these acts of goodness are, or how many times they might fail, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Nothing and out into the Light. … Indeed, the safest road to Heaven is the GRADUAL ONE...

God warns his ministering angels not to convince a person that "Perfection" is immediately necessary. Why? Because, there is a much higher risk the person will become so alarmed they will wake up saying something like, "There is no way I can be perfect. I just can't do it. I've tried it didn't work. I must be no good. Something must be wrong with me. etc etc" Demanding the bigger goal of perfection too soon typically turns the person to feeling overwhelmed, guilty and wanting to give up - thus turning them towards Satan's path.

Baby steps toward good are still good.

IF what I'm saying is true, consider this: ALL THESE YEARS that you've thought you have been following "God's Plan" by beating yourself up with the gigantic goal of "BEING PERFECT NOW" (e.g. I need to change this habit today!) has really been SATAN's Plan to turn you around to his path.  My experience has been, the pressure created by expecting immediate change of a behavior and becoming perfect typically produces the "fruits" of discouragement, guilt and being overwhelmed. Furthermore, it demonstrates a lack of your understanding of the Principle of Gradual Progress.

Neal Maxwell explains the importance of enduring in "God's Time".

… if certain mortal experiences were cut short, it would be like pulling up a flower to see how the roots are doing. Put another way, too many anxious openings of the oven door, and the cake falls instead of rising.... (Endure It Well, Conference Talk April 1990) 

Don't be discouraged about God's plan of  "precept upon precept, line upon line," (Isaiah 28:10; 2 Nephi 28:30; D&C 98:12; D&C 128;21) progress to PERFECTION. Perfection takes a LONG TIME! And of course we each should be diligent and persistent about our pace along God's path,

... but remember, regardless - the day you and I die we will each
be a sinner and require His atonement. (Romans 3:23) 

I like Brigham Young's way of looking at it:

"BE YE AS PERFECT AS YE CAN."

(Journal of Discourses Vol. II pg. 129)

The Miracle of Healing is also Usually Gradual
The same is true for HEALING from depression, physical injuries, divorce, a loved one's death etc etc. I've read about "miracles" where people are changed dramatically and immediately. But for whatever reason, I haven't personally seen such a miracle. The "miracles of healing" I've seen have all occurred over weeks, months and sometimes years.

CHALLENGE
Determine if the Principle of Gradual Progress applies to you. If so...
BE a little more gentler and kinder to yourself knowing you're doing your best and staying on God's path as much as you can.  I believe, the power of  "Gradual Progress" along with God's immense love for you (See: God loves you THIS MUCH!) -  WILL pull YOU to heaven.

It's a principle with  promise. Just be on the path.

dr rick
dr rick's Blog Index

Reefer Madness

Marijuana use
I'm in bishopric meeting discussing a family who just discovered their son's marijuana stash.
    How can we help as a ward?
I'm in weekly staff meeting discussing with my clinical staff our more difficult teen "pot smoking" clients.
    How can we help as a professional therapist?
And yes....
I'm sitting at home and we get a call from another parent. One of my kids was smoking marijuana.
(So don't feel like you are alone.... did something wrong... just because someone you love smokes marijuana.)
    How can I help as a parent?

THIS IS HOW YOU HELP
Teach TRUTH 1-marijuana causes problems
Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used in the United States-even before it was legalized.

Currently Cannabis (another word for marijuana) Intoxication, Cannabis Withdrawal, and Cannabis Use Disorder are classified by the American Psychiatric Association as “Mental Disorders” under the heading “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.” (See: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental Disorder-5th Edition, DSM-V).

The DSM-V describes Functional Consequences of Cannabis Use Disorder by saying:

…Many areas of psychsocial, cognitive, and health functioning in may be compromised in relation to cannabis use disorder. Cognitive function, particularly higher executive function, appears to be compromised in cannabis users, …. Cannabis use has been related to a reduction in prosocial goal-directed activity, which some have labeled an amotivation syndrome, that manifests itself in poor school performance and employment problems… Cannabis smoke contains high levels of carcinogenic compounds that place chronic users at risk for respiratory illnesses…Chronic cannabis use may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of many other mental disorders. In particular, concern has been raised about cannabis use as a causal factor in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders…(DSM-V pg. 514)

Tolerance and Withdrawal are both identified as possible symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder. (DSM-V pg. 509)

The National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) says the following about the consequence of marijuana use:

Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. In fact, heavy marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, relationship problems, and less academic and career success compared to their peers who came from similar backgrounds. For example, marijuana use is associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out from school. Several studies also associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover. (Drug Facts: Marijuana NIDA)

Here is a 90 second video summarizing the consequences of marijuana use Everything You wanted To Know About Marijuana.

Teach TRUTH 2-marijuana triggers the pleasure center of the brain
The DSM 5 explains that activation of the brain’s reward system is central to how drug use affects an individual –- the rewarding feeling that an individual experiences as a result of taking drugs like marijuana, may be so significant that the individual neglects other normal activities in favor of taking the drug. "While the pharmacological mechanisms for each class of drug is different, the activation of the reward system is similar across substances (including marijuana) in producing feelings of pleasure or euphoria, which is often referred to as a high.” (DSM 5, pg 481) 

Also see: Pleasures of Sin - First stage of addiction.

TeachTRUTH 3-marijuana use will cause the spirit to withdraw
The Word of Wisdom including NOT smoking marijuana is a commandment.

... —absolute prohibition—against the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. Added to this has been the counsel of the Church leaders to abstain from the use of such drugs as marijuana...., (Run and Not Be Weary, L. Tom Perry, Oct 1966)

And disobedience to any commandment results in the loss of the Spirit. The loss of spiritual health is far more serious than the loss of physical health. (See: Section 89 The Word of Wisdom, Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual)


THIS IS HOW YOU DON'T HELP
Teach LIE 1-marijuana is harmless
Over 40% of the youth in the US believe marijuana is harmless and should be legalized. For example, NORML is a national organization working towards legalizing marijuana. Here is a sample article on NORML's website: MYTH: Marijuana is a Dangerous Drug  (Pay attention to the dates of the research). A 60 second video  Make Marijuana Legal is another NORML product.

Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado sends the message that marijuana is harmless. Learn how YOU can legally buy THC Lollipops and Marijuana Cookies!!! Check out this CNN article: Recreational Pot Sales: Where the grass is much greener.

Teach LIE 2-marijuana will kill you (or other exaggerate statements)
For decades, organizations (particularly churches and parents) have used scare tactics to discourage teens from smoking marijuana. One of the earliest examples is Reefer Madness—a hour long film produced in the 1930s and re-released in the 1970s. The movie depicted a series of exaggerated (and tragic) events happening to high school students who tried marijuana.

During the 70s and  80s  I was working at a community substance abuse treatment center. We used material that focused on the exaggeration of facts and scare tactics to "scare them straight."  (Later we discovered these type of prevention strategies were not effective.) Here is a 2013 article that uses exaggeration of facts and scare tactics referencing the Colorado Recreational Sale of Marijuana: Marijuana Overdoses Kill 37 In Colorado First Day of Legalization.

As a grandfather with a bunch of grandchildren who are growing up in this world, I would very much like the side effects of marijuana to be severe and immediate.

But they are not.

WHY INCREASE OF MARIJUANA USE
Why has marijuana use risen in recent years?

As perception of risk goes down,

use goes up (and vice versa).
(This happens with pretty much any drug or sin.) 

Use of marijuana has increased because - Young people are showing "decreased perception" that marijuana is harmful. In part, the decreased perception of risk has occurred because of Satan's effective use of...

....the two LIES  noted above.
marijuana is harmless- National organization, media, legalization of etc etc -- As a result young people are influenced

to believe marijuana is harmless.

marijuana will kill you (or other exaggerate statements) - etc etc Youth are way to smart and have access to information and friends who smoke marijuana. They know the exaggerations and scare tactics are lies -- As a result young people are influenced  

to believe marijuana is harmless.

CHALLENGE:
Teach your children TRUTH about marijuana.
Now.
Then, following the admonition of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.” (Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 3:54.) (I know its a scary thought.)

dr rick
dr rick Blog Index

Missing Christmas

We all know the stories of the angels, shepherds and wise men celebrating the First Christmas with Mary, Joseph and Christ.

But do you recall ... who missed the First Christmas?

After all the years waiting and hearing of prophesies about Christ's birth ... the following still missed that First Christmas.

THE INN KEEPER
Speaking of Mary it says; "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloth and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) The inn keeper missed Christmas.  He was face-to-face with a young pregnant woman and husband ready to give birth to the Son of God. He shut the door. He had a busy Inn to care for. Christmas was right in front of him, but he missed it.

The inn keeper didn't recognize Christ or the occasion.

THE KING
Unlike the Inn Keeper, King Herod knew who Jesus was and what He would become.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:1-3)

Why was King Herod "troubled"?

He was the King of the Jews.  There was no room for two kings in Jerusalem.  He was threatened. That First Christmas Eve King Herod remained in his mansion plotting Jesus' death.  The birth place of the new "King of the Jews" was only a short walk away.

King Herod was more interested in glory and power.

THE SANHEDRIN
The chief priests, scribes, and wise men were the religious leaders at the time. They obeyed "the Law." They knew all the scriptures. They went to church every week. That's why King Herod sent for them -  "Then Herod when he had privly called the wise men and inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared and he sent them to Bethlehem..." (Matthew 2:7) They quoted Micah 5:2 to King Herod. The Sanhedrin knew about Jesus- who He was and the impact he would have on the world. They, like King Herod, never took the short 3 or 4 mile walk to Bethlehem. Having the Messiah was no big deal to them. They were already righteous -All is well in Zion.

The Sanhedrin was indifferent-Christ's birth didn't really matter.

 

Look at your own life.
Are you going to miss this Christmas? 

The Nativity is one of my favorite Christmas videos. Press David Bowman's newest piece of art "Love" to watch this short video.

CHALLENGE

May we all make the journey to Bethlehem

in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring

heart as our gift to the Savior.

(Thomas S. Monson "The Real Joy of Christmas" 2013 Christmas Broadcast)

dr rick
dr rick's blog index

Worth vs. Worthiness

I'm asked regularly questions like:

"dr rick, how can you even stand to be in the same room with that guy...
...who just killed the bank teller,
...who just molested the neighbor girls,
...who just kidnapped and raped the store clerk?"
I explain the difference between "worth" and "worthiness."

One day ... Joe staggered to Church.
Joe had been a client for several months. However, recently he had been homeless. His parents and siblings were active in the Church. They never missed a meeting and always sat on the front row. Joe began drinking in his early teens and began drifting away from the Church. By 17 he was addicted to cigarettes and alcohol.  Joe wanted nothing to do with the Church. He always smelled like cigarettes.  His parents like the parents of Alma, prayed for their son to return to church. Several years later, one Fast Sunday he came back. A younger sibling nudged dad to look at Joe who just walked into the back of he chapel. Dad and Mom smiled with contentment at one another. Later in the testimony meeting Joe began walking towards the pulpit. The parents noticed he was staggering. Their heart sunk in despair. He reached the pulpit. His slurred words ended as he passed out! He was drunk. He fell to the floor at the foot of the Bishop. 

Joe's sins stunk.

One day ... Brigham drove his chopper to Church.

Brigham was a young adult I met while doing a Fireside on addiction up in the Tri-City area of Washington. He sat in the back. He stood out because of his long shoulder length hair- with a strand of purple. His ears were gauged and face had several piercings. And believe me, no one could miss his tattoos. Brigham's dad was in the Stake Presidency.  After the fireside, I met Brigham in the parking lot. His forearm had a very noticeable tattoo of a naked lady. He expressed a desire to return to church activity. After we visited he put on his Nazi helmet and leathers and rode off on his chopper motorcycle.

Brigham's sins were an eyesore.

One day ... The Smith Family drove their Dodge Caravan to Church.

The two younger boys were dressed in suits and carried their personal triple combinations- interesting enough the youngest boy was obviously too young to even read. The two girls were beautifully dressed in home made dresses and hair bows.  Mom looked like she stepped out of LDSModestDress.com (I made that up.) and Dad like he was ready to talk at General Conference. Surely the Smith Family kept all the commandments all the time. (Of course there is no such family as the Smiths-I made them up too! But many Mormons really believe they exist, figure that out.)

Smith family had no sins.

WHAT'S YOUR LIMIT IN JUDGING ANOTHER'S "WORTH"?
At what behavior do you judge another?
Is it cigarettes, alcohol, tattoos, piercings, dropping the F-bomb, etc etc.
Could I wear, say or do something that could stop you from treating me with respect? Make you avoid me? Keep you from loving me?

The answer is probably YES.

What if like -they (the Joes and Brighams of the world) really did come back to church- as Thomas S. Monson has requested:

“Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the Saints...." (Looking Back and Moving Forward, Ensign, April 2008)

Let's assume that once again
... Joe staggered
... Brigham rode his chopper
and
... The Smith Family drove their Dodge Caravan
to church.

And YOU happened to be ALONE in the foyer as they walked up the sidewalk to the church.  No one around. No one watching. (No one would know.) How would you feel? What would you do? How would you treat each of them? Would you treat them differently?

DON'T CONFUSE "WORTH" WITH "WORTHINESS"
Well, the question of worthiness is easy... If we used the analogy "the price of gold" to represent worthiness the Smith Family would be worth $1400 an ounce! (Assuming they even existed.) On the other hand, Joe and Brigham's worthiness would be much less - NO Temple Recommend for them! They need some serious repenting. Worthiness has to do with SIN. Worthiness is not a gift. We must earn it. Worthiness changes based on our behavior. If we are “good” we receive blessings; if we are not, we don’t. 

Back to our church...
What are you thinking...as you smell Joe's cigarettes and alcohol and see Brigham's piercings and naked lady tattoo- approach you? I'm not asking you to evaluate how many temple recommend questions they flunk... (There certainly is a time and place for the worthiness interview. But this isn't it.)

I'm just asking how would you treat them?
(Hint: John 8:3-11; Matt 25:34-40)

WORTH
Ahhh, now we have to think... What is the worth of a soul? Any soul?

But what if their sins stink?

"...Their souls are precious..." Alma 31:35

But what if theirs sins are an eyesore?

"...Their souls are precious..." D&C 109:43

But Joe and Brigham are real losers!
The answer is the same for murders, bishops, rapists, relief society presidents, child molesters, prophets ...Joe and Brigham and even the Smith Family.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” D&C 18:10

There is no less worth of a soul-because of a tattoo, a body piercing, being drunk, having a temple recommend, etc etc.

"GOLD"
If we used the analogy of "gold" again...
the Smith Family, Joe, and Brigham- each are 24 K gold. Worth is inherent in each of us - a gift- because we are a son or daughter of God with a "divine nature and identity." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

Our worth -being 24 K gold -remains the same-
... Joe for example unprocessed 24 K gold,
... Brigham for example a 24 K gold nugget,
... and The Smith Family a 24 K gold coin.

To be Christ-like we must learn to see like Christ.

The Prophet Samuel choosing David to be king taught us- "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:6-8. Jesus is capable of seeing the 24K Gold in each of us- regardless of our condition or worthiness.

 

Worth has to do with the SINNER. Though lives and circumstances may change, an individual's worth CANNOT! 

... You cannot sin enough to change your WORTH in the sight of God!

So,

when I'm sitting across from a murder,

spending hours with a rapist,

asking hundreds of questions to a child molester...

I'm trying my best to treat them for what they are Worth.

The judge makes the judgment of Worthiness...

and typically sends "these children of God" to jail and prison.

(Which by the way I support.

There is a time and place where judgment is the right thing to do.

But going to prison doesn't change an individual's WORTH.)

 

 

As Victor Hugo says in Les Miserables

-To love another person is to see the face of God-

Each of us are "children of God." Each of us have some of that "Godly DNA" inside.

Sometimes, it is a challenge to see God's face in some of His children.

CHALLENGE:
Learn the difference between acknowledging another's worthiness and their worth.

“I have in my heart a love for all of God’s children. I have no ill feeling toward any human being. With you, I hate sin, but I love the sinner. We all have need to repent." ( Ezra Taft Benson, "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson" (1988), 75)

The truth shall make you free.

Read:  God Loves You THIS MUCH!

dr rick
dr rick's blog index

My "our son is on porn" Rant

We found porn on our son's iPod - again.

Dad calls me with the intent on solving the son's porn problem.
...This is my plan. First, I'm going to confront him, take his iPod again and let him know it's wrong. Second, I'm setting up an appointment for him to go talk with the Bishop. And third, I'm finding a counselor for him to talk to by Monday....

Mom calls me a few minutes later with a broken heart.
... I've been searching the internet (listing various websites) and the first thing we're suppose to do is get him to a professional...

Isn't that what we do, dr rick?

 

My answer is one big fat NO! 

Not if you really want to help your son.

FIRST MYTH:  He's only 17 he can't to do this on his own. The Lord held him accountable at age 8. Its time you do the same.  He knows its wrong. Of course confront him... Obviously it is your house and you as parents have rights to have and enforce various rules. Certainly share your disappointment. Let him see your broken heart and tears -but not hysteria! -not doom and gloom! Take the iPod for now - you bought it anyway. Then very soon give the iPod back! There is NO way you can keep him away from explicit sexual content (aka: Porn) ... too many hot spots, too many devices, too many friends, too many tv channels, ... He will have to "grow into" staying away from it with desire, education, specific skills, and a miracle wouldn't hurt either.  He's not an idiot, psychotic, etc etc he can figure it out... when he's ready and has the right tools. Good grief he's valedictorian at the high school!  But for YOU to rush him off to a therapist before you even tried personal resources is absolutely stupid. It sends the message- You're inferior- you can't figure this out. You're only 17 and 17 year olds can't figure out things like this. What will help is love, patience and confidence --- "That he (your son) may know that thy faithfulness (in him-your son to overcome porn) is stronger than the cords of death" D&C 121:44 (See: You get what you faith for). Maybe start with something like this:

"Son, as your parents we have complete confidence in your ability to do hard things ....You can figure out how to control your sexual feelings and thoughts... What ideas do you have about dealing with this porn issue?... (Son: I don't know.)...That's fine lets kneel in prayer as a family and ask God to help you and we'll visit again about your ideas tomorrow..."

SECOND MYTH: Pornography is more powerful than what an "average" person can handle. Bologny! (Did I spell that right?)  There is another dangerous message sent by words like: "You can't do this on your own you need professional help!" This attributes way too much power to "Pornography" and way too little power to "God."  Porn "addiction" is a word we professionals came up with to describe a strong habit. Do you really think God is up in heaven saying "Oh my there's another one of my sons with a 'porn addiction.'" The word "Addiction" is not even in the scriptures! (I bet the word "addiction" doesn't even exist in the Heaven Edition of Wikipedia.) Don't you think if "Porn Addiction" was that unique and that powerful in and of itself, God would have given us specific guidance - more specific scripture perhaps like D & C 139: -Overcoming Porn Addiction  or something? The "Process" of addiction is all over the scriptures but referred to as "SIN." (See the addiction process: Pleasures of Sin; Successful Sinners; I Can't Stop. Help!; and Viewing Leads to Doing.)  Keep a gospel perspective.... TRUE-Porn addiction is a bad habit - a very powerful one .... when the "flesh/natural man" becomes enslaved to "appetites and passions" we have a problem.  (This process is as old as Adam and Eve.) If you react like it's the end of the world WHEN you find out your son has been looking at porn you are adding to the problem. Millions of youth and adults /men and women successfully manage their sexual thoughts and feelings every day. So can your son.  God is supreme, having power over ALL things including "porn addiction". No one or no force or happening can frustrate or prevent Him from accomplishing His designs. (See: D&C 3:1-3) Part of His design is your son's salvation! (See: Cosmically Competent)

 

CALM DOWN dr rick - take three deep breaths.

 

THIRD MYTH:  Professional counselors are miracle workers. Let me remind you, as a professional counselor we are NOT likely to get "personal revelation" about you or your loved one. You and your condition is NOT a matter of our personal prayers. We do NOT care as much as you care about you and your loved one. You're paying me remember. This is my "JOB".  We get tired of listening to problems all day long every day. We are humans to ... Sometimes at the end of the day we simply go through the motion ... and can't wait to get home to our families. Some of us are idiots. Some of us are going to make problems in your life worse. Some of us should have never been licensed in the first place. Some of us are useless and won't help you and won't hurt you. However, a few of us have a "gift" of healing and truly have a capacity to help.   Having said that, I believe 100% there is a time and place for visiting with a "good" professional... . We as mental health professionals can be one great resource for listening, encouraging, teaching specific skills like "Arousal Surfing" (Topic for another blog).... NEVER go to outside resources first --- See Counselitis. I've worked in and around treatment programs for 35 years. I've NEVER seen one program cure ONE addiction. EVER! We are ONE resource. We can teach skills, introduce you to other resources like a higher power, and we certainly offer encouragement and support.  The individual has to make the changes between their left and right ear. Treatment programs are only a resource...just a resource - one of several your son may have. We are imperfect in our profession-just like you are in yours. "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 28:31) Consider using "uncommon sense"  (it's not common anymore) when you deal with us, mental health professionals.

CALM DOWN dr rick -Use your resources. Go for a run.
 

FOURTH MYTH: You are way too young to be thinking about sex. I understand he just started dating a few months ago, but he started puberty 5 years ago... If you have forgotten, that means he has had the capacity for sexual arousal and feelings for FIVE YEARS!!!! (See: Puberty: The Second Fire). Sexual thoughts and feelings are NOT EVIL! God created them not Satan! (See: God's Love Chemicals).  My goodness... how soon you've forgotten your own early years of puberty.  You do NOT want to extinguish your son's sexual response, you want him to recognize this wonderful power and how to harness it.  Yes.... its past time for you to have several two-way discussions with your son about sex. Here are some ideas for discussions: God's Plan For Sex; Fifth Sunday And Another Lesson About Porn; You Can't Say That In A Chapel; etc etc

Blah Blah Blah

Okay I'm done.

I guess I'm suppose to tear this up delete this now that I got it all out, right?

This catharsis thing really works. :)
I feel a lot better, now.

dr rick
dr rick's blog index 

Stuck On An Escalator

Read this: What Satan Doesn't Want You To Know About The War 

Read this:
Joe's Story
Joe, had been unemployed for several years now. He didn't have any disabilities-just

didn't feel the need to work. Joe kept busy driving the children to dance, soccer, basketball, piano lessons etc etc. He was a counselor in the Elder's Quorum presidency.  His wife was working part time at a local restaurant and attending counseling at LDS Family Services for depression. The bishop was paying for her counseling. They just had their 6th kid. She was breastfeeding so they qualified for WIC. They had an EBT payment card, like a credit card, so the WIC monies along with their SNAP, cash and food stamp benefits were automatically deposited onto their card for use at their convenience. The bishop and extended family from time-to-time also helped the family with money and food. Nevertheless, Joe's family seemed to have all the necessities of life-cell phones, a place to live, etc etc

From the outside appearance Joe's family seemed to have everything their neighbors had next door -where the father worked two jobs and the wife worked part time. (Satan and his Special Forces have successfully engineered our society to "temporarily" remove consequences from certain choices.) 

Ask this:
Does Joe have "Agency?"

AGENCY HAS SEVERAL COMPONENTS
You thought "agency" just meant "choice." But its much more...

Victor Ludlow says: "the seven essential elements of agency: identity, knowledge, freedom, action, law, efficacy, and preservation." (Principles of Practices of the Gospel Restored, pg. 157). 

LDS psychologist Allen E. Bergin in "Toward a Theory of Human Agency" wrote: "The concept of agency may be subdivided into numerous dimensions such as: The initiation of behavior or the originating of ideas. This may be termed the domain of creation. The processes of decision-making or choosing, that is, the domain of reason. The processes of self-regulation or the domain of will. These and related topics provide enough substance for several books." (BYU Studies, vol. 16, 1975-1976).  

Adam and Eve an example
God told Adam and Eve they had a "choice" (an essential element of agency). He followed up by saying they could freely eat of every tree in the garden except one, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of that tree God said, “thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Moses 3:17). After giving Adam and Eve choice he gave them "knowledge about consequences" of their choice a "choice between good and evil" (another essential element of agency). Finally, he held them accountable for the choice they made. You can read about the consequences for their choice in Genesis 3:16-17. It was here in the Garden of Eden God gave Adam and Eve "Agency" (Moses 7:32). Accountability was an essential element.  

(The single best LDS source for agency can be found here: What the Church Teaches About Agency. )

I'm getting old so let's keep "agency" plain and simple. Personal accountability consistently shows up in definitions of agency.

"Agency is...

to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions."

(Robert D. Hales, Agency, Essential to the Plan of Life, Liahona, Nov. 2010)

Satan's plan-DECREASING a person's ACCOUNTABILITY

WILL DECREASE a person's AGENCY

In addition to Accountability I view Choice and Knowledge of Consequences as essential pieces of the "Agency Puzzle."

Simple concept... Satan needs only to eliminate one of the puzzle pieces that makeup agency to remove one's agency.  Let's take accountability for example, when Satan creates an environment in which a person's accountability is minimized, agency is also minimized. The belief that I can have want I want without effort, something for nothing.... is sufficient to eliminate one's agency-freedom to act.

HOW WE ARE DECEIVED

Deception comes into play again because Satan's plan of removing accountability for our choices is theologically impossible and could not have worked even if all of the spirit offspring of God in the pre-existence had "voted" for it -

(Remember: Ezek. 18:30; Luke 16:2; D&C 101:78; A of F 1:2; and D&C 18:42 )

(A topic for another blog.)

Satan's successful destruction of our agency isn't

by force or with weapons of mass destructions but

by flattering us into believing there is NO personal accountability for our choices.

See blog: Satan Exposed

Of course Satan could never really destroy God's gift of agency- That's impossible. But he can deceive us...
....by convincing us self-reliance and personal accountability are not that big of deal and have nothing to do with agency.
....by having us focus only on our right to choose (Choice being one element of agency) a partial truth and not also emphasizing the consequence of the choice (Consequence being another element of agency).
etc etc

EXAMPLES OF "LOST" AGENCY

EXAMPLE 1-Seagulls starving to death
In this story seagulls lose their ability "to fish" by Marion G. Romney:

... In our friendly neighbor city of St. Augustine, great flocks of sea gulls are starving amid plenty. Fishing is still good, but the gulls don’t know how to fish. For generations they have depended on the shrimp fleet to toss them scraps from the nets. Now the fleet has moved. … “The shrimpers had created a Welfare State for the … sea gulls. The big birds never bothered to learn how to fish for themselves and they never taught their children to fish. Instead they led their little ones to the shrimp nets. “Now the sea gulls, ..., are starving to death because they gave in to the ‘something for nothing’ lure! They sacrificed their independence (agency) for a hand-out.“A lot of people are like that, too. They see nothing wrong in picking delectable scraps from the tax nets of the U.S. Government’s ‘shrimp fleet.’ But what will happen when the Government runs out of goods? What about our children of generations to come? (The First Presidency Message; The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance, Ensign June 1984)

These seagulls lost their agency to fish.

EXAMPLE 2-Stuck on an escalator
In this story two people get stuck on a broken escalator and lose their ability to "get off" on their own - shared by a popular YouTube video People Stuck On An Escalator.

These individuals stuck on the escalator have lost their agency to get off.

(How does being stuck on an escalator relate to addiction?)

EXAMPLE 3-Joe "...failing to provide..."
In this story above, "Joe" loses his ability to "provide the necessities of life" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World.) by depending on others to care for him and his family.

Joe, after years of unemployment and others taking care

of him, has lost his agency to provide for his family.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

If this is true-reduce personal accountability and you reduce agency-... some of us have lost or are in process of losing our agency!  

As in the war in the pre-existence, Satan's political platform has once again successfully influenced millions to surrender their agency and follow him. (Even though they go to church every Sunday.)

In the examples above there is a reduction in personal accountability for decisions as a dependency on others increases. This process reduces one's ability to choose and to do. (See: The Gift-Between God and I ; Counselitis)

 Except for the starving seagulls who are now suffering

the consequences for personal choices.  

CHALLENGE

Can you get off an escalator?

dr rick
dr rick's blog index

What Satan Doesn't Want You To Know About The War

The judge ordered 18 year old Joe to 1-15 years in the Utah State Prison.

I completed plenty of testing and record reviewing on Joe prior to sentencing. His measured IQ was average. He had  some minor learning disabilities but qualified for an IEP during junior high and high school. He had an obvious problem with aggression and touching girls. Because of his IEP and No Child Left Behind regardless of his behavioral problems or refusal to do homework - - In 18 years Joe never received any substantial consequence for any of his disruptive or lazy behavior. The school just continued passing him on to the next grade even though he had problems with reading and writing. In a similar fashion, the parents had consistently protected Joe from experiencing failure and withheld any type of penalty for his misbehavior. (And influenced others to do the same.)  Joe had never had a job or been held accountable for any of his behavior and yet he seemed to have it all!
He had ...
a place to live,
food to eat,
an Eagle Scout (his mom did it),
a high school diploma,
a cell phone,
a car, 
spending money,
a girlfriend,
etc etc

On his 18th birthday he inappropriately touched his underage girlfriend.
Now, he was on his way to prison.

THE GREATEST WAR EVER FOUGHT!
Remember in 2011 Conference when Dieter F. Uchtdorf  said "...you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven." (You Matter to Him, Conference Oct 2011) Well what about a war in heaven?

How does one fight a war with spirit beings?

I could pile up
the accumulated weapons of the entire world
all the bombs, guns, suicide bombers, terrorists 
they could not kill
one spirit
in the war in  heaven.

So with what weapons was the Greatest War- the war in the pre-existence - fought?

INFLUENCIAL WORDS - Persuasion and Deception.

Remember "Lucifer" at one point "was in authority in the presence of God" (D&C 76:25-26). He was a leader. A chosen one. Lucifer with his compelling personality and influential words, persuaded "many" to follow after him (Abr. 3:27-28). He did not use force or weapons of mass destruction ...  such weaponry would have been useless against spirits!

Millions followed after Satan....

because they wanted to go with him!
because they wanted what he had to offer!

What makes Satan's success even more impressive is the fact his campaign recruited one third of Father's children (D&C 29:36) to rebel against God - while they (we) were living with the all-powerful God and his son Jesus Christ!

Take a minute and wonder about what it must have been like for God and Jesus Christ to be promoting their Plan of Salvation to you and I - personally - and how powerful an opposite campaign
would have had to have been

to persuade us away from God while we were in His very presence.

(It makes me wonder, how powerful is Satan's political agenda here on earth while we are not in His presence?)

WHY LUCIFER'S PLAN IS SO ALLURING
Satan's political party platform features Guaranteed Salvation. 

"and I will redeem ALL mankind, that

ONE SOUL SHALL NOT BE LOST." (Moses 4:1)

Satan promised salvation without effort, without excellence, without hard work, without individual responsibility.  Think of it Exaltation Without Effort! This shortcut to salvation obviously captivated many gullible and lazy spirits. They wanted something for nothing.

Satan's campaign consisted of telling us what we wanted to hear and giving us what we wanted. What could motivate a crowd more than promising us exactly what we wanted, with no charge or personal effort?

We learn more about Satan's Plan of Salvation by studying his followers. Here are some samples:

Samuel the Lamanite pointed out that the Gadiantons used this method with the Nephites: "If a man shall come among you and shall say ... do whatsoever your heart desireth...ye will receive him and say that he is a prophet" (Helaman 13:27). The prophet Jacob wrote that Sherem "began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ." (Jacob 7:2) Nehor, another anti-Christ, "testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble... for the Lord... had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life" (Alma 1:4).

And perhaps the most popular of all, Nephi's teaches:

"Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. ..." (2 Nephi 28:7-8)

It begins to make sense how so many could be lured away when salvation is offered regardless of sin or personal effort - with freedom from accountability.  Think of it -a promise of receiving the reward -salvation- with nothing required.

Deception comes into play because Satan's plan is theologically impossible and could not have worked even if all of the spirit offspring of God had "voted" for it -

(Remember: 1 Nephi 10:21; 3 Nephi 27:19; Moses 6:57)

(A topic for another blog.)

Satan's successful destruction of our agency wasn't

by force or with weapons of mass destructions

 but by deceiving us about our personal responsibility in gaining Salvation-

Like in the example above, Joe appeared to have it all ....

without any personal effort or accountability...

until his Judgement Day.

See blog: Satan Exposed

Satan's easy, effortless plan is a stark contrast to the Father's plan which requires accountability, obedience, repentance, etc etc.

By Satan's eloquence and flattery he would blind us to the end result of sin and bondage. He would make it seem attractive, even though he knows that its wage is death.

THE LONGEST WAR EVER FOUGHT
The war that commenced in the premortal realm of God continues here on earth. The participants are the same. Satan's political platform remains unchanged-for he continues to seek to destroy our agency through influential words and philosophies to follow after him.

Joseph F. Smith identified several dangers that threaten the Church within - he begins First with

"… flattery of prominent men in the world...”

 (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1939, pp. 312–13.)

This is what Satan doesn't want you to know about the war in heaven
and the war now on earth.
If we were to know the enemy's most powerful weapon
we would be more prepared to battle.

CHALLENGE
True or False- Satan's most powerful weapon of war are influential words - persuasion, flattery, and deception.
Talk to a loved one about your thoughts.

dr rick
dr rick's blog index

The next obvious question is, "How does unaccountability destroy agency?" See: Stuck on an Escalator.