So how do I start? Yes I am a fan of your work but I am writing to you as a brother.

I guess the question, is why write you?

I have looked up to you as a good man, and then tonight I found out that you are a brother. That explains why you are a good man.

I am writing because you are a brother and because you are a stranger. You believe as I do. But I can’t let you down.

I am a recent convert and I am in a stuck place.

I want so much for my inside to resemble my outside, but it does not.

For Christmas, the Missionaries bought me a personalized quad. This is a wonderful gift in and of itself. As a gift from the Missionaries, it is beyond words. They have limited funds and yet they gave me this gift. It’s not about the money, but what they sacrificed to give me this gift. It is the best gift I have ever received.

So here is the rub. I have fallen back into addiction. I want to tell my bishop, but I am frightened of letting down everyone in the ward. However if I remain silent then I will become inactive.

I know the deceiver is working overtime to pull me from the father.

I have heard that the first year is the hardest, and I believe it.

Right now I feel like a rat in the mouth of a terrier, being shaken and pulled apart.

Everything keeps telling me to get out before I poison the church. It feels so real even though I know it is a lie.

Can you help?

This e-mail is not a lie.

Bishop knows I am in trouble.

I just need advice.

I am aware that there are many like you, members of the Church who have or are struggling with some form of addiction. To help those who have this very difficult challenge, the Church has a program which with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous modified their Twelve Step Program for use in the Church. I am attaching a Power Point review of a summary of this program that was prepared by a friend of mine. If you go to the Bishop, he may be able to refer you to their meetings. It is possible that this is not yet available in your area and if that is the case, he will yet be able to help you better than anyone.

The first step in the Addiction Recovery Program of the Church, as I understand it is that one must totally humble himself and admit that he cannot overcome these serious addictions without help, and the help is Jesus Christ. I am told that those who attend the recovery meetings have their best chance of recovery by attending very regularly, even daily for a rather extended period of time. I am sure you will do whatever it takes, because your eternal soul is immeasurably precious and you have as much opportunity as any one else, in spite of this special challenge, to walk into the presence of God pure and spotless because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He wants you to be with him and has paid the price for all of your and my sins, if we will but turn to him and do what it takes to repent. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Old Testament | Isaiah 1:18)

Here is a poem written by my friend that you might want to print and put on your bathroom mirror.

THE PATH Eternal Life, our highest goal Is Heavenly Father's home. It really means returning To the place from whence we've come. The returning path is "narrow", As the Savior said, "and strait". And the only way to find it Is to enter by the "gate". This gate by which we enter Is “repent and be baptized”. The Holy Ghost, a gift then given, Helps truth be recognized. The path, however, isn't short And it didn't start at birth. We had the choice to follow it Before we came to earth. Those who did, were "added upon" In their chance to stay on course And avoid the broad and wider way... To destruction and remorse. Yes, everyone whose on the path Is in a different place 'Cause each one is progressing At an individual pace. Now, this pathway continues Through life beyond the grave, 'Til resurrected, we are judged To see whom Christ will save. This pathway isn't easy’ But we just can’t afford To not keep climbing up it By following the Lord.

I pray for your success in this battle. I know you can do it. Let me know of your progress.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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