King Benjamin Teaches Step Eleven

Now I come to my favorite step--Step Eleven. This is such a wonderful step. I hope I can do it justice. I dare say, having a conscious contact with God has been the greatest blessing of recovery for me. In speaking of a conscious contact with Deity, I include God's grace and my ever-increasing awareness of how He is in the details of our lives. I dare make such a bold statement because the principles behind Step Eleven are the source of the greatest blessings I have experienced in recovery.

AA Step Eleven: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

LDS Guide to Addiction Recovery Step Eleven: "Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out."

LDS Guide to Addiction Recovery Key Principle for Step Eleven: Personal Revelation

King Benjamin Elaborates Step Eleven

Because this step gets expanded a bit in King Benjamin's speech, I'm taking a slightly different approach for this step. Like all Twelve Steps, this one is fully explained and expanded in Mosiah chapter 4. I want to look at each component of the step using the AA version as the pattern.

"Seek through prayer . . ." King Benjamin said, "Humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily" (Mosiah 4:11). This is a step we need to work on a daily basis making personal prayer an integral part of recovery.

"Improve our conscious contact with God" "And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true" (Mosiah 4:12).

Our knowledge of God's glory and grace, and our entire relationship with Him will improve (or grow) as this step suggests. Our "conscious contact" with God comes through the Holy Ghost, and as the Apostle Paul explained, love, joy, and peace are fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22).

"As we understood Him" The LDS version of the step omits this phrase since we understand that our relationship is with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. AA uses the concept of a "Higher Power" out of respect for universal belief. However, I think there is a spiritual basis for this phrase. Our relationship with God is enhanced by our understanding of Him and His attributes. King Benjamin said, "I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world . . . (Mosiah 4:6). Benjamin lists the attributes of goodness, power, wisdom, patience, and long-suffering. These are important for us as addicts to understand. These are the attributes the Lord is eager to have us attain so we can become like Him.

When I first came into Twelve Step recovery, my concept of God had been severely damaged. I thought of a strict, vengeful God, ready to zap me for all my sins and transgressions. In the introduction to the LDS Guide it states, "We invite you with all our empathy and love to join us in a glorious life of freedom and safety, encircled in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer." It is comforting to know that because the Lord is good, wise, and patient, He is able and willing to help us through recovery, and that we can be "encircled" in His loving arms of safety. 

"Praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out" President Gordon B. Hinckley has observed that many of us say our prayers like we're ordering groceries. We make a list of things we want and hang up. In true recovery we surrender our will and lives to God, according to Step Three. This leaves little room for self-interest. Instead we are seeking to know God's will for us and to have the power to carry it out. Thus, we are really only praying for two things--knowledge and power.

The scriptures contain many examples of this knowledge and power combination, but there are only a few places we can go to obtain this combination. In Mosiah 4 this combination is listed at least three times. Verse 6 begins, "If ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power . . ." Verses 11 and 12 both have the phrase "knowledge of the glory of (God)." 

This combination of knowledge and glory (or power) comes together in the vision of Moses, as he says, "But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him" (Moses 1:11). Moses was able to obtain knowledge otherwise not obtainable except that he is transfigured, or empowered before God to be able to stand in His presence. That's "conscious contact" perfected.

Joseph Smith went into a grove of trees seeking knowledge of which church to join (see Joseph Smith--History 1:10,12,18), but the Lord lets him know that the "power of godliness" is not to be found on the earth.

One of the things I appreciate about Alcoholics Anonymous is that it does not overstep its bounds. AA's singleness of purpose is to help the alcoholic who still suffers and to help its members achieve sobriety. AA does not promise to get you to heaven or to grant exaltation. Perfection of Step Eleven is beyond the scope of Alcoholics Anonymous and is vested in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Look at these verses with the knowledge/power combination:

"And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

"Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

"And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

"For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-22).

In the House of the Lord I was given the personal revelation necessary to find my sweetheart. In the House of the Lord we were sealed together for time and all eternity. Through the ordinances of the House of the Lord, our children were born in the covenant allowing the Holy Spirit of Promise to seal or ratify those ordinances based on worthiness. 

Yes, I can say Step Eleven has brought the best blessings into my life!

The temple takes "conscious contact with God" to a new level.

King Benjamin Teaches Step Ten

Sometimes Steps Ten through Twelve are called "maintenance steps." Steps One through Nine are similar to repentance steps, and now we are trying to maintain sobriety. I would rather think of Steps Ten through Twelve as growth steps.

AA Step Ten: "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it."

LDS Addiction Recovery Step Ten: "Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong promptly admit it."

LDS Addiction Recovery Key Principle for Step Ten: Daily Accountability

King Benjamin: "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not" (Mosiah 4:30).


For me, one of the main reasons for the success of Alcoholics Anonymous is the principle of once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, "We are like men who have lost their legs; they never grow new ones" (Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 3). In a later chapter it states, "It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities" (Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 6).

Daily accountability keeps us on track. We can make smaller course corrections before it's too late--before our newfound sobriety is in jeopardy. King Benjamin's wording is consistent with the Step. We must "continue" taking inventory of ourselves and "continue in the faith." King Benjamin gives us three areas to watch--our thoughts, words, and deeds. Many addicts in recovery will do a sort of mini inventory at night before retiring for the day. It's a good time to reflect on the things that went well, to express gratitude for the many blessings God has given us, and to look for improvement. The sacrament is another opportunity to take inventory and contemplate areas that could use correction.

As I have expressed with many of these steps, my early days found me thinking I would only have to work each step once and be done and graduate from the program. Twenty-seven years later, I'm still trying to work the steps. I will share one personal experience.

One cold January morning I went outside to our garage. I can't remember what for; probably to get the snow shovel. Sitting in the garage next to our car was what my sweetheart would term a fine piece of antique furniture. I believe it was supposed to be a desk. I did not share the same opinion. I thought to myself, that has to be the ugliest piece of furniture I have ever seen. I wondered what it was doing in our garage and why I didn't know about this. I marched into the house and asked what this blankety blank thing was, and was informed that she received this from her sister and it was going upstairs in one of the bedrooms. 

I just got madder as I thought about this. How dare she bring something like this into our house? And especially without asking me. I should have heeded the Big Book which says resentments are like poison to the alcoholic. But I didn't. Instead I went into insanity mode and my mind raced and jumped to conclusions. As I looked at this piece of antiquity, I wondered if I would be able to get my lawnmower out of the garage since it appeared to be blocking the way. Despite the freezing temperature, and snow on the ground, and despite the fact that it would be at least three months before I would need to use the lawnmower, I decided to attempt the feat of moving the mower. Just as my brilliant observation supposed, the mower got stuck and it was probably one inch shy of clearance.

Now I was really frustrated. I was wearing some winter boots and so I went over and gently tried to push the desk with my foot to slide it over just a bit. It wouldn't budge. Now this is where it gets into a point of disagreement with my wife (who wasn't there). She says I kicked the desk. I say I just pushed it more firmly with my foot. Whatever the case, I then noticed a small crack in one of the drawers where I tried to push it with my foot. Okay, I kicked it.

Knowing I was in trouble now, I walked back into the house and informed my dear wife that as I gently tried to move her fine piece of furniture, I accidentally cracked one of the drawers. Her immediate response was, "You need an AA meeting." I humbly followed her advice and provided entertainment at the Lunch Bunch Meeting for all my addict friends.

But at least I didn't have to get drunk over it!

By the way, this "beautiful desk" is still in the bedroom. She won. But I get to stay married and sober.

King Benjamin Teaches Step Nine

In Step Eight we became willing to make amends to all persons we had harmed. Now again in Step Nine the rubber meets the road as we begin to make restitution and offer sincere apologies for the wreckage of the past.

AA Step Nine: "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."

LDS Addiction Recovery Step Nine: "Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed."

LDS Step Nine Key Principle: Restitution and Reconciliation

King Benjamin: "And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due" (Mosiah 4:13).

The first part of this verse in Mosiah is about Step Eight. Because we do not want to harm others, and realizing our actions in the past caused great harm, we become willing to make amends. The last part of this verse is about the actual process of making restitution where possible. Since the first part of the verse is about avoiding injury to others, of necessity, the last part about rendering to every man (or woman) according to that which is his due, must deal with settling the score. We need to offer apologies, make restitution, and become reconciled if it's due. If we owe someone an apology, we render according to his or her due.

Not much later in the Book of Mormon we see an actual Step Nine in action as Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah went about "zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church" (Mosiah 27:35).

In my early recovery I considered Step Nine to be the most challenging for me. It was especially hard to make apologies to those closest to me, like my parents. There were many broken promises and insincere apologies from the past, and these haunted me. I kept waiting until I had enough sobriety to back up my apologies. But as time went on, it just became harder.

I mentioned adding BYU to my list to make amends. I had had conversations on the bus with a man who became a good friend. After I discovered he worked in the Honor Code Office the Spirit kept nagging me to go work a Step Nine with the university.

One morning on the bus I asked if I could meet with him. He invited me to meet with him in his office. I confessed that while I was a student there I had violated the Honor Code almost daily with my drinking. Part of the Honor Code was an agreement to abide by the Word of Wisdom. Of course my friend was a professional counselor. He said, "Do you feel like you need to make restitution?" Without thinking, the words popped out of my mouth, "I do." I immediately wondered what I had gotten myself into. I thought he might give me a service project on campus, like picking up litter or something. Instead he said if I would stay active in Twelve Step recovery and try to carry the message and help other addicts, that on behalf of the university he was authorized to wipe the slate clean. I would be forgiven by the university.

Later he actually referred students to me who were grasped by the clutches of addiction and alcoholism. When I was a student there, I thought I was the only alcoholic on campus. By attempting to work Step Nine I was also working Step Twelve as I tried to carry the message to others.

Thus, it was like killing two birds with one stone.

Steps Five and Nine are very difficult. It's not easy to confess and it's not easy to make amends. But the reward is a burden of guilt lifted off one's shoulders. I testify it is very liberating. It heals and cleanses the soul. I also testify of the Lord's grace in working all these steps. Doors are opened and opportunities are presented allowing us to do what we are not able by ourselves.

King Benjamin Teaches Step Eight

While several of the preceding steps deal with our relationship with God, Steps Eight and Nine deal with our interactions with others. Again there is the willingness step ahead of the action step. The willingness is expressed as part of the step.

AA Step Eight: "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

LDS Addiction Recovery Step Eight: "Make a written list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them."

LDS Addiction Recovery Step Eight Principle: Seeking Forgiveness

King Benjamin: "And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due" (Mosiah 4:13).


The effect of the steps is a changed heart. I want to emphasize that this happens for most of us very gradually over time. After King Benjamin has taught his people in depth concerning the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation, and quite arguably the Twelve Steps, we immediately see the result in the next chapter. The verse states, "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). The people also gained an appreciation for "the infinite goodness of God" and had "great views" of the future (see Mosiah 5:3). In AA we would say the people had a new pair of glasses.

Because of this change of heart we lose the desire to cause any harm to another of God's Creation. This is in stark contrast to the selfishness that fueled addiction and the concern we had for only ourselves. In our practicing years of addiction we caused extreme damage and much "wreckage." The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous points out that the newcomer is the lifeblood of the program. We welcome newcomers and can always relate because their stories haven't changed over the years. They sound just like we did when we came into the program. I have been attending Twelve Step meetings for 27 years now and have never heard one addict come into the program and say, "I'm just living the dream. I always wanted to become an alcoholic. Couldn't be better." No, they relate stories of broken marriages, broken homes, broken relationships, lost jobs, jail, etc. etc. This is good for us old-timers to hear, because if I'm ever tempted to go back out and give it one more try, I am reminded that it still isn't any better out there. There's an old AA adage that says, "Alcoholics don't have relationships, they just take hostages." How true!

Now in Steps Eight and Nine we get to attempt to seek forgiveness and clean up our "wreckage of the past." As King Benjamin taught, we will not have a "mind to injure" and so we begin to make a list of those we have harmed and make peace with those we injured in the past.

As we do this we become overwhelmed at the thought of making restitution, which in many cases is not even possible. How will I find all these people? What if they reject my attempt to be reconciled? And how can I fix the damage already done? The answer to all these questions is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We really can't heal, and often we really can't restore something we have taken away (like someone's virtue). But the Savior can.

These steps are ongoing. Maybe they're eternal. My list has grown over the years, so it's likely to have additions in the future. And I was, and am still, so naive about working these steps. I thought once I made the list and made amends I would be done, but sadly this is not the case since I continue to injure others in sobriety, sometimes unintentionally. Like King Benjamin teaches, it's the attitude that's important. We won't "have a mind to injure" others even though injuries happen.

I will give one personal example. Many years into recovery I rode the bus with many of the students and faculty of BYU. They would always get off the bus on campus. Many of the people I talked to were BYU professors. One day I asked a particular man what he did on campus, expecting him to be a professor of something. He informed me that he worked in the Honor Code office. I remembered that BYU had an honor code involving dress and grooming standards and standards of behavior regarding moral conduct and the Word of Wisdom. As I thought about this, I realized I had violated the Honor Code almost every day as a student, due to my drinking.

The Spirit just kept eating away at me and reminding me every time I saw him how I had basically lied to the university and broken my promise. They were still good enough to give me a diploma. These steps are not always easy. I finally added the institution of Brigham Young University to my Step Eight list.

I will tell you the outcome of this experience next week in Step Nine. Some of my Twelve Step buddies know how much I love Step Nine (ha ha--NOT).