“Brothers and Sisters, we are on sacred ground.”

At the end of each Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meeting, we have the responsibility and blessing of sharing our “testimony of the church, of the ARP, and of the Savior and His Atonement.” Monday night we were very touched by the Step 9 readings, discussion, and tender sharing by individuals. Step 9 teaches participants, “Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons we have harmed.” The readings talk about the reason for and the process of finding people if possible, then genuinely and humbly making amends and reconciliation, not justification. The guidebook draws upon The Book of Mormon and the example of the repentant sons of Mosiah who went about “zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done.” (Mosiah 27:35).

My eyes and mind were drawn to this profound statement in the guidebook, “From the moment we decide to adopt these true principles into our new way of life, we begin to make living amends.” I wondered what ‘making living amends’ means. The guidebook explains, “We amend the way we live, and as we live in recovery, it blesses everyone around us.” What a beautiful and succinct way of stating that when we follow Jesus Christ teachings and repent, our life changes for the better; no, we change for the better. In this step participants are also encouraged to inventory the blessings they receive from working the steps of recovery, even blessings beyond their expectations and make a list of them.

As our meeting came to an end, it was my turn to testify and the spirit prompted, “Brothers and Sisters, we are on sacred ground. I’m not just referring to the dedicated space of this meetinghouse or high council room, I’m referring to the implementation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives. I testify that none of us have sunk beyond the reach of Christ’s Atonement, none of us.”

I continued, “There is a painting of the Savior being mocked by his crucifiers. He is depicted with a crown of thorns on his head. He is bleeding. In this particular picture the artist painted Jesus so that he is looking directly at the viewer, at me. One time I was studying the principle of repentance and what Jesus might be saying to me in that image. I heard the words, ‘I’ll help you forgive.’ Yes, Jesus knows by experience what it is like to be falsely accused or treated unfairly or bear heavy burdens or pains and yet still be able to forgive. Regarding Step 9, making amends, if any of us are finding it hard to seek forgiveness when we feel that someone else is at fault or to blame, I urge us to let it go. Place that unfairness at the Saviors feet. Let others use their agency as they will. We need to humbly repent in the Saviors way, do our best and let him do the rest.”

Earlier that day Sister Hardman and I listened to the recent BYU Devotional address by Elder Matthew Holland and were reminded of the sacred witness of the Book of Mormon. He said, “The Book of Mormon not only reveals the path to our ultimate Promised Land but also gives us power to pursue that path.” I concluded my testimony, “Please hold on to your scriptures; your Bible and especially your Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith said it has the power to ‘bring us closer to God than any other book.’ I testify that this is true. As we repent, make amends, and recover, we need the power of Christ to overcome, to become whole and clean and changed. Let prayer and your scriptures bring you closer to God and in touch with Christ’s power. Then let his power heal.”

We are grateful to be in the service of God, and in the service of his Son. We are grateful for the faith and courage of persons in recovery to attend and seek redemption through Christ. We are grateful for the love and compassion we feel while servicing. We are grateful to be on sacred ground.