Reading List

The following are books that I have read and added to my library in my quest for both healing and understanding. Please feel free to suggest others.

1. The Worth of a Soul -  By Steven Cramer

The strength of the atonement of Jesus Christ reaches the very soul through this personal account of excommunication and reconversion. Though he had taught priesthood lessons, gospel doctrine classes and even been a Bishop, Stephen Cramer finally came to understand the personal nature of the atonement as he faced the buffeting of Satan through excommunication. This enriching and fulfilling account will leave you better able to feel the joy of our Savior's love and understand your personal worth in His eyes.

2. For Times of Trouble - By Jeffry R Holland

Our Father in Heaven wants us to be happy. And yet, we all have times of trouble. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland writes, One of the unfailing facts of mortal life is the recurring presence of trouble...When these difficult days (and nights!) come and they will it will help us to remember that 'it must needs be,' that in the grand councils of heaven before the world was, we agreed to such a time of challenge and refinement. We were taught then that facing, resolving, and enduring troublesome times was the price we would pay for progress. And we were committed to progress eternally. A large percentage of the psalms that appear in the Bible were written for such times of trouble. From petitions for relief to acknowledgments of God's power, these psalms provide comfort, perspective, and spiritual solace when we are going through our own trials. In this tender book, Elder Holland explores dozens of scriptural passages from the psalms, offering personal ideas and insights and sharing his testimony that no matter what the trouble and trial of the day may be, we start and finish with the eternal truth that God is for us. Elder Holland's reflections on the psalms provide a powerful witness of that comforting truth.

3. From Heartache to healing - By Colleen Harrison

A long-awaited book, based on personal experience. Fortunately, help for those with sexual addiction in the LDS community is becoming available in the form of recovery support groups and materials written from an LDS perspective. On the other hand, help for their loved ones has been slower in coming forth. With compassion and understanding, Colleen and Phil Harrison share the principles and insights that helped them find the Savior's grace and guidance to face and survive the heartache of sexual addiction. Colleen shares inspiring wisdom from a wife's perspective; Phil's testimony, as a man who has been clean from sexual addiction for over ten years, will bless you as well. Their combined testimony is that you can also find peace and healing through the Savior's offer of atonement.

4. Clean Hands, Pure Heart - By Philip A. Harrison

In Clean Hands, Pure Heart, Philip A Harrison relates his journey out of addiction to pornography into recovery and freedom. He Explains:"Like Paul and Alma the Younger, who also spent a portion of their life in serious darkness and were delivered from it by Christ Himself. I am willing to allow my life to be an example of someone the Lord has rescued from 'the dark abyss.'" Using scriptures and readings of Church leaders, Phil leads us through the process of coming into Christ and having our burdens lifted. For those who have struggled with sexual addiction or any other overwhelming challenge, as well as for those who care about them, this book offers welcome guidance and hope

5. He Restoreth My Soul - By Donald L Hilton

Technology has accelerated our fascination with pleasure. Indeed, the power of pleasure has been underestimated, and Internet pornography is changing the world in a fundamental way. In this book, author Donald L. Hilton Jr. MD explores the destructive power of pornography addiction, not just from a moral and spiritual perspective, but with the scrutiny of modern science. Current research tells us that there is little difference in physical or chemical changes in the pleasure and control centers of the brain regardless of whether the addiction is "from a chemical or an experience," as stated in the journal of Science. (Constance Holden, "Behavioral Addictions: Do They Exist? Science, 294 (5544) 2 November 2001, 980.) Relying on the latest research on addiction, and merging this knowledge with spiritual aspects of repentance and recovery, the author provides understanding and hope to those who seek healing and restoration of both body and spirit, which are the "soul of man."

6. Sitting in a rowboat throwing marbles at a battleship - By Andrew Pipanne

An epidemic of addiction to pornography and compulsive sexual behavior is wiping out individuals, marriages and families! It has become clear that Latter-day Saints are not immune. Men, women and children of the LDS faith are finding, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed, that the chains of pornography do not easily let go of their victims. Fear, shame and humiliation prevent so many addicts from getting the help they need. Instead, they keep praying and reading their scriptures and hoping that Heavenly Father will just make this whole thing go away. In the meantime, years pass and the problem grows worse, not better. Despair is abundant; hope is scarce. "But this isn't how it has to be!" exclaims Andrew Pipanne, a Latter-day Saint and recovering sex and pornography addict. "Recovery from addiction is not only possible, but it's also a wonderful experience!" Sitting in a Rowboat Throwing Marbles at a Battleship is a collection of essays written by Andrew to help other LDS addicts, spouses, counselors and priesthood leaders understand exactly what is necessary for that recovery experience to take place.