One step leads into the next, and in Mosiah 4 verse 2, the sequence continues. Step Four's moral inventory reveals both character strengths and weaknesses. The discovery of those root character defects brings us to the confessions of Step Five, and the realization of our true character sparks a desire for a change of heart.
AA Step Six: "Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."
LDS Guide to Addiction Recovery Step Six: "Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses."
LDS Key Principle for Step Six: Change of heart.
King Benjamin: "And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men" (Mosiah 4:2).
"And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them" (Mosiah 4:10).
I remember that first week of AA meetings as I browsed through the steps, wondering how long it would take me to graduate from this program. My first estimate was maybe a week to cruise through these Twelve Steps. But when it came time to work Step Six, it stood before me like an insurmountable brick wall. Twenty-seven years later, I'm still begging God to please remove those character defects. And sadly, sometimes when He does, I simply take back my own will.
The bad news was that I would have to surrender all my character defects and pet sins, some of which I had learned to conveniently rely on, while others I just plain liked and didn't want to give up. The good news is that it isn't up to me. It's not my job to change my heart. That's a job only the Savior can perform.
Fortunately for King Benjamin's subjects, and for us, there was a pre-written speech delivered by a heavenly messenger in the preceding chapter, and this sublime message is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Remember that in Step Five we admitted "the exact nature of our wrongs." And therein lies the problem. It is housed in our nature, and the enemy is the "natural man."
An oft-quoted verse from King Benjamin's speech reads,
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (Mosiah 3:19).
This verse tells us how long we will be stuck on Step Six if we try to work it the wrong way. If I try to do this alone, based on my own merits, I will be stuck on this step "forever and ever." But if I "let go and let God" and get out of the way, and let my Savior heal me, then He can do miracles. I know because I have seen them happen in my life and in the lives of many others. It's one of the great blessings of recovery.
Today has been a surreal day. My wonderful daughter is a missionary serving in the Canada Edmonton Mission. Exactly ten days ago, her first companion and trainer returned home to our own ward after completing a successful mission. I know--what are the odds of getting your first companion and trainer from your own home ward with over 71,000 missionaries? It's just another of those tender mercies of the Lord, and another witness of how He is in the details of our lives. Today she gave her report on her mission. One of the many profound things she said was how some say a mission can change one's life. But she prefers to think of this as an opportunity for the Savior to change a life. Indeed, only He can change a heart.
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