The entire Book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon deals with addiction and recovery, and we see a prime example in King Noah and his priests. The cycle of addiction begins with an "over-zealous" father (see Mosiah 7:21; 9:3) producing a rebellious son. I have listened to many an addict describe an over-zealous, fanatical style of parenting, and its contribution to rebellious, addicted children.
King Noah was a "wine-bibber" who "spent his time in riotous living" (Mosiah 11:14-15). I guess this was the politically correct term for alcoholic in his day. The reader is given a clue to the root of addiction as "he did walk after the desires of his own heart" (Mosiah 11:2). The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous would call this "self-will run riot."
We see the addiction progress as partying and reveling are replaced by the hallmark signs of advanced addiction. Let's examine the imagery later on.
"having searched in vain" (Mosiah 19:1)
Thankfully, one of King Noah's priests was paying attention to Abinadi, who comes to warn them of the inevitable bondage soon to occur. Alma was convinced of the words of Abinadi and flees into the wilderness, writes down the teachings of Abinadi, and goes about privately teaching the people until he has established a group of 450 followers (see Mosiah 18:35). Noah, enraged by this, sends an army after Alma and his followers, but "the army of the king returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lord" (Mosiah 19:1).
As practicing addicts, our vain imagination and vain search of things to fill the empty place in the midst of our souls, lead us to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, gambling, and many other things, only to leave us hungrier, thirstier, and more in desperate want. In Twelve Step recovery this is often called "The God Hole." It is the emptiness only God can fill, while the depleted addict searches in vain.
"the forces of the king were small, having been reduced" (Mosiah 19:2)
In the beginning, alcohol was my liquid bravado. But over many years of hard drinking, the tables were turned, as it sapped my energy, depleted my drive, and just plain out made me sick and tired. I became unproductive and unmotivated, feeling a sense of defeat. I became "powerless over alcohol," having been reduced to a dependent drunk.
"there began to be a division" (Mosiah 19:2)
As addicts, we feel isolated from family, friends, and society. But it's almost like there's a division of the inner self. My body only craved my next fix, but my spirit held loftier aspirations. Alma would have a son (Alma the Younger) who expressed the turning point in his life by saying, "Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there" (Alma 36:22).
I have friends in recovery who have been spiritually starved. Now they can't get enough of the temple, enough of the scriptures, and enough of the gospel in their lives. But they do get filled up!
"And the lesser part began to breathe out threatenings . . . and there began to be a great contention" (Mosiah 19:3)
There's not a more selfish creature than the practicing addict. (Just ask my sweet wife.) The Big Book says we are like the director of a play, trying to control and manipulate the actors on the stage of life. We will stoop to begging, threatening, extortion, and any form of manipulation and control--just to get our way. I have heard it said in AA, "Alcoholics don't have relationships, they just take hostages."
Contention is the result and the addict runs to his "drug of choice" to hide.
"swore in his wrath" (Mosiah 19:4)
The contention breeds wrath. In this Book of Mormon account, a righteous man named Gideon (his name means warrior or "one who cuts down") draws his sword on the king and swears in his wrath to slay him. But the anger cuts both ways. I remember my addiction robbing me of all the good emotions, but leaving fear, anger, and shame as my driving forces in life--not a good combination.
"when the king saw that he was about to overpower him, he fled and ran" (Mosiah 19:5)
We run away from anything challenging in life, however major or minor. In times of crisis, instead of turning to the Lord, we run to our drug of choice in an attempt to flee life.
"cried out in the anguish of his soul"
This can be the turning point in recovery, as we cry out to God for help. Unfortunately in my case, I had to play a few games of "Let's Make A Deal" first as I pleaded with God to spare my life (what was left of it) and in exchange I would quit drinking. But then I remembered the truth of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" as he said, "You can't pray a lie."
"the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life" (Mosiah 19:8)
It's never about others. It's only about me. I once heard a wise friend in AA describe his spiritual growth in this way. I will call him "John" to protect his anonymity. He said something like, "Back in my drinking days I could only think about John. Now after many years of recovery, I can actually stop and think about what's best for my wife or my daughter, and I can do this for about three or four minutes. Then I have to start thinking about John again."
Alcoholism is a deadly disease. But it's not really the alcohol. It's the "ism" at the end of the word that gets us. It stands for "I, Self, Me."
"men should leave their wives and their children, and flee" (Mosiah 19:11)
This is what King Noah commanded his men to do. But it's also what the voices inside our heads tell us to do, whether we are willing to acknowledge it or not. The result is broken families, destroyed marriages, and torn relationships. It's a good thing Twelve Step recovery also has family support meetings to heal relationships.
"their fair daughters should stand forth and plead" (Mosiah 19:13)
Relationships become codependent. Often it is a spouse who feels a need to cover up or make excuses for the addict. I know of some who have called in sick on behalf of a spouse to preserve their jobs.
"spare their lives, and took them captives" (Mosiah 19:15)
Some are not so lucky. Some go into captivity and lose their lives. I remember my first Wednesday Night Old Timers Meeting as I looked at Step Three: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." That was the last thing I wanted to do. Yet I really didn't have much of a life to give up. This ended up being the best decision I ever made, and I have to keep making it every day.
My Savior Jesus Christ gives me "newness of life" (see Romans 6:4).
"into the wilderness secretly" (Mosiah 19:18)
As we run to our drugs of choice, the secret wilderness carries us to shameful places and the darkest corners of the Internet. In AA we say, "You are only as sick as your secrets." I think the Big Book Chapter 5 entitled "How It Works" mentions honesty three times.
"they would seek revenge, and also perish with them" (Mosiah 19:19)
Addiction makes us vengeful and bitter with anyone who stands in the way. But it's a deadly game. I have seen many friends, both inside and outside of recovery, who have perished. It's so sad.
"caused that he should suffer, even unto death" (Mosiah 19:20)
Like many addicts, King Noah suffers death. And there is much suffering leading up to the final scene. But it doesn't have to end this way. You're probably sick of AA adages by now, but here's a final one. Alcoholism and addiction are like riding an elevator. You can get off at any floor. You don't have to hit rock bottom, although most of us do.
"made oath unto the King"
As sad as this story is, it doesn't have to end this way. There is recovery. I have taken the liberty to capitalize "King" and change the story. You really can make covenants with the King of kings, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In another Book of Mormon story an earthly king speaks for a Heavenly King as he proclaims,
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
"And under this head ye are made free" (Mosiah 5:7-8).
It's a sweet deal. "Let go and let God."
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