My folks briefly mentioned this over the weekend. At there age I usually avoid religion conversations.

So I am wondering if this fear of self help groups also means AA or NA. Seems to me I read something here a while back that the cult was attempting to set up there own substance abuse counseling.

I have some very dear freinds who are very involved in NA, spend countless hours looking for the newly sober and giving them a place of refuge. Can't imagine the cult could think this is a bad self help group.

Also found out my pushing 80 year old mother has 2 church callings. Guess the younger members of there ward arent helping out much.

They want to be the sole source of reward, unishment, solace, counsel, etc.

If someone goes to an AA or NA meeting, they might start thinking that they can live without the morg in their life, and you know where *that* leads!

So God is no longer helping those who help themselves...

Seriously, who would you go to for self help advice - your un trained Bishop or a fully trained specialist medical practitioner?

The poor Bishops are going to get inundated with all sorts of problems to deal with and will end up getting sued.

I think one of the big issues in Utah right now is "Impact." There are many mormons I know who are involved. My son's old boss was making all his workers go to Impact workshops and then taking the cost out of their paychecks. It pretty much ruined the entire work environment and most of his workers have quit.

beansandbrews Wrote:
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> So I am wondering if this fear of self help groups
> also means AA or NA. Seems to me I read something
> here a while back that the cult was attempting to
> set up there own substance abuse counseling.


They've had that for years. My TBM grandparents were called to a substance abuse mission and spent a lot of their time up at the prison counseling inmates.

There's self-help groups for many addictions through the church: pornography, food, alcohol, drugs, etc.

Wonder what the qualifications are for the people in the cult running these addiction self help groups. A relative of mine in there education process to get a degree in psychology, counseled drug addicted teens. Very TBM and clueless about that disease and life in general.

Now works for LDSSS. Sounds like a recepie for disaster.

I realize that the people in NA and AA are "just" recovering addicts, but would more understand the issue's. And a religion isnt put out front as the answer for staying sober.

I have never heard of impact...will look into it to see what and why it scares the cult. If it is a no-no to seek help thorugh groups outside of the church, another relative is involved in a national group of families who have children with a certain type of birth defect. Will this fall under this new warning.

The cult just keeps making it harder for the faithful to be perfect.

This has been an issue for a while. My dad's been going to AA meetings for 5 years now. About 2 years ago, the bishop and others started talking to my dad about going to AA in church (LDSAA? sounds weird). He still won't go... he sticks to the group he knows and likes. A lady from another branch reached out to my dad over the summer about her husband with a drinking issue. My dad went with the missionaries from that branch and brought along some literature with the address and phone number of the group he attends. When they left, the missionaries asked my dad why he didn't refer the woman and her husband to the AA meetings held at church. My dad replied, "It's just not the same."

Does anyone have the texts of the letters?

michael Wrote:
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> Does anyone have the texts of the letters?


http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60087/From-the-First-Presidency.html

M.

kinda reminds me of $cientology and their distrust of any psychological therapies

as for LDS conducting NA or AA type meetings - that would be as ridiculous as a celibate catholic priest preaching about birth control...... (oh, wait a minute........)

1. Challenge religious and moral values.

2. Advocate confrontation with spouse or family members as a means of reaching one's potential.

3. Imitate sacred rites or ceremonies.

4. Foster physical contact among participants.

5. Meet late into the evening or in the early-morning hours.

6. Encourage open confession or disclosure of personal information normally discussed only in confidential settings.

7. Cause a husband or wife to be paired with other partners.

Self-awareness groups

In a letter dated Oct. 13, the First Presidency wrote:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We have repeatedly warned of the risks inherent in participating in so-called "self-awareness" groups sponsored by commercial enterprises that promise heightened self-esteem, improved family relationships, and increased spirituality. It has come to our attention that some of these enterprises continue to express or imply Church endorsement, thereby attracting members of the Church to their programs.

The Church has not endorsed any such enterprise. We warn that these programs are not in harmony with Church doctrine or gospel principles. Church members should not participate in groups that:

1. Challenge religious and moral values.

2. Advocate confrontation with spouse or family members as a means of reaching one's potential.

3. Imitate sacred rites or ceremonies.

4. Foster physical contact among participants.

5. Meet late into the evening or in the early-morning hours.

6. Encourage open confession or disclosure of personal information normally discussed only in confidential settings.

7. Cause a husband or wife to be paired with other partners.

Once again, we counsel members against participating in such "self-awareness" activities.

Signed by the First Presidency:

Thomas S. Monson

Henry B. Eyring

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This seems to be targeting specific groups. I don't see where AA would be of any concern to anyone, if they want it and need it, and it works for them.

It really is amazing to me how the LDS Church continues to treat it's adult members like 10 year olds, and unable to figure out what they want for themselves.

WAY too much control. I don't recall anything like this letter when I was an active believer.

"It has come to our attention that some of these enterprises continue to express or imply Church endorsement, thereby attracting members of the Church to their programs."

It's just like every other scam started in UT by Mormons, they prey on other Cult members. The Cult is trying to distance themselves from the scammers, so that when the gullible get taken, the Cult can say, "we warned you about these."

CYOA for legal purposes.