When God Talks To You, That Is The Greatest Form Of Therapy

Jesus Christ Topical Guide: Sermon On The Mount Series

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.”

You Shall Be Filled

President Oaks and Elder Ballard did a face-to-face question and answer session with the young adults. Someone asked a question about anxiety. Elder Oaks responded that some anxiety is normal and shared his own personal life. He said he experienced anxiety in law school and was sure that he didn’t measure up against the other students.

Essentially, he talked about grit. We don’t have to be the smartest or the most gifted to succeed in life. However, we need grit! Grit is the dogged persistence to keep going to keep working even when you are feeling like you are failing and not measuring up.

Elder Oaks gave council if the anxiety is disabling. He suggested if your anxiety is disabling you should seek help. For most, your parents will be your greatest support because they love you the most. Good and caring friends can also help.

He also suggested seeking out professional help, people who have made studying these issues their life careers. Talking things through with others even professionals can help you see things you can’t see. Trained therapists are trained to recognize the all or none (black and white) thinking in clients with mental illness.

With all that said, the Book of Mormon teaches that the word of God has a more powerful effect on our minds than anything else. I think this should be our main source of therapy.

For example, when we want God to talk to us we ponder the scriptures. When He talks to us that is the best therapy you could ever have.

I have seen the Book of Mormon heal someone with a serious mental illness (at least for one night), and the spirit witnessed to me very directly that if he continued to read the Book of Mormon he would be healed completely from his torment.

If the scriptures are not filling you up with God’s love, peace, and light, then I ask how you are studying? Deep pondering is the key. If you casually and quickly read through chapters you won’t get much out of it. Therefore, I encourage you to spend one hour pondering by writing out your thoughts and feelings on one verse or one phrase or even one word.

Are you hungering and thirsting, or are you snacking?

What will you sacrifice to be filled?

If you live in the Salt Lake City valley, I invite you to join us at church on Sunday's. Currently we meet at 9 A.M.; however, starting in January we will change to noon. We are a mid-singles ward; however, if you have a family please don't let that stop you. Please, join us for for our first meeting which is Sacrament meeting, and make sure you ask someone to introduce you to our ward mission leader. Our address is 7155 South 540 East, Midvale Utah, 84047.