Tamara Tamara

WELCOME!

LIFE FORCE. "No, I have absolutely no idea what water is," said the fish. "Why do you ask?"

(Eleanor Barrow cartoon in Quantum Touch by Richard Gordon)

This cartoon makes me laugh because I used to be like that fish. I had no idea that we live in an "ocean" of universal life force energy.  That fish represents an over-whelming number of people.  If we asked the average Christian if they believed in "Chi life force energy" they would likely answer "no."  That is sad and ironic because Christians use severaldifferent terms for "life force energy" -- they just haven't realized it yet!  Scripture uses a completely different set of vocabulary to describe the same 'foreign' terms  that holistic health practitioners use!

I share a story in my book of being prompted by the spirit to call a past bishop's wife. I told her of our daughter's trials with severe depression and cutting and suicidal tendencies. She asked if I had only looked for help in the medical field. Startled, I answered, "Yes, of course. What else is there?"

"Oh, she said, "there is a whole other field of medicine." "Really?" I asked incredulously. "Yes, it is called Energy Medicine," she replied in a matter-of-fact way.  She said it was an alternative but complementary treatment. (see Healing Arts, 2)  My bishop's wife explained that the treatments she certified in involved re-patterning the light around a person, which I later found out had to do with life-force energy. I read dozens of books about this novel idea as fast as I could.  One medical doctor wrote that, "healing involved a strengthening of the underlying integrity of an individual's human energies and their re-patterning in a healthier way" (Susan Wagner, M.D., A Doctor's Guide to Therapeutic Touch, 29). 

We found by experience that techniques which cleared and balanced the subtle energy/unseen light enveloping the body were incredibly helpful for my daughter with hopelessness, severe anxiousness and mood swings. The insistence of the spirit led me to this seemingly unusual help.  Initially, I wasn't sure of its compatibility with Christianity. Later on, I found prophets words comparing life-force energy to intelligence in the light of Christ.

That was incredibly validating!  New vocabulary words I had learned such as "Chi"and "Prana" suddenly became Christian terms - no longer cloaked in foreign sounding names. Additionally, the Light of Christ was also compared by prophets to consciousness. That added another health-benefiting-avenue of study. Scholars said higher consciousness, such as forgiveness, could be used purposefully for improved health. I found many scriptures validating what emotions do to us physically. My family was blessed to learn by experience from the late Dr. Jan Graf (always a DC in my mind!) that forgiveness is indeed healing to the body!  Doctors are talking about this now! Perhaps none as much as MK Strydom, MD. Search her name and link to her free book from this site. 

My books and websites offer several answers to the question, "What else is there?" when seeking health and wellness. There are variables involved in healing that traditional medicine often does not consider. Doctors there generally do not practice from the perspective of Whole Person Health, unless holistically trained. I finally realized from one quote by like-minded authors Darla Isackson and Peggy McFarland that the Lord himself tells us repeatedly that He is the light (energy) and life (vital life force) of the world! Scripture talks about these overlooked areas and so do my books!

One area often overlooked is the scriptural term "chase darkness" (from Doctrine and Covenants section 50). Gaining an understanding of that subject alone was incredibly helpful for my daughter as well as hundreds of clients; it is not the end all answer, however. Going to the root of susceptibility still needs addressed. My family has been greatly blessed by other modalities and Information Medicine frequency devices. I am grateful there are energy healing practitioners and Functional Medicine doctors such as Naturopaths and Osteopathic Doctors that seek out the root cause of issues instead of just offering symptom relief.

After writing my first 2 books, I put the best helps I found for my daughter and clients on this website under the tab “Mental First Aid.” I learned from my daughter’s relapse after the births of each of her two children about the loss of minerals… that go “out with the placenta” and of the gut as the "second brain."  It was a huge blessing to learn about EMP Lightning formulated specifically for brain and nervous system health. I do not sell this product but feel compelled to share it with others and how it was born of inspiration. Lightning has IMMENSELY helped family members and clients across the board with brain issues. Read about the Stephan family's incredible story behind this formula on a post HERE.

It has been my experience that work in the field of Energy Medicine can help people draw nearer to Christ. Scripture says the Savior took upon Himself not only our sins, but also our illnesses and heartaches...  all mortal bitterness. That includes our unresolved emotions which are heavily tied to our health. I am a witness that the Savior can swallow up our burdens in His love. This work is very Christ-centered when credit is given where credit is due. My learning journey has taught me how to better apply Jesus Christ's atonement in my life. Jesus Christ is the source of all healing, the Light (energy) and Life (vital life force) of the world! "For I am the Lord that healeth thee." 

It has been my experience that helping people in the healing arts is to help them forgive the past and bring light to dark places. I have been blessed to learn about women and priesthood power and all the words that tie in to faith, such as virtue. I have learned how generational clearing relates to that and is spoken of over and over in Isaiah. There is much scriptural backing for principles used in this work! 

I am so excited that MK Strydom, a medical doctor in South Africa teaches the same basic principles that I have learned. She teaches how powerfully connected our thoughts are to health and healing. She teaches to forgive in order to heal. She teaches to cast out dark spirits and to clear generational issues for our ancestors (just like D&C 98:45-48 teaches!).  Her very thick book, Healing Begins with Sanctification of the Heart is available free online as a PDF! She never once uses the term "energy" because she uses Biblical terms instead. I'm so grateful that MK Styrdom M.D.'s book and work is a second witness to the healing principles I have learned in Energy Medicine. 

Studying the field of Energy Medicine has helped me to understand deeper meaning of scripture verses. Some verses which I previously thought were merely symbolic I now understand as reality. The more I learn about energy medicine, the more I learn that faith is a principle of power.  It has been my experience that Christ centered integrative health modalities teach a person they can ask in faith for much more than they previously thought. This can be a spiritual creation work. Some forms of energy work could be called spiritual re-patterning. Change must occur first on the spiritual level before it manifests on the worldly plane.  I have observed since 2004 as a facilitator of Healing Arts that doing emotional release work can be a very spiritual process which fosters the realization about spiritual gifts or the development of them. There are also areas to avoid altogether! Run away from facilitators who would 'predict' your future or cross any other lines God warns about. Such is NOT a part of energy healing. My books contain scriptural and apostolic warnings for facilitators since we are to be 'vigilant for God's word' (Isaiah 66). Ethics

[What used to be called Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by the National Institutes of Health is now studied by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Congress changed out the descriptive term “alternative” from their name saying it no longer fit. It is exciting that some energy healing techniques are being used in forward thinking hospitals such as Yale, Duke University, John Hopkins the Mayo Clinic and many others.]

With the arrival in 2020 of my Healy device from Germany and especially in 2022 of my iTeraCare device from Malaysia, I continue to learn that our body's ability to heal is greater than we've been led to believe. Truly, cutting edge science has discovered "we now know that the body heals through frequency, vibration and resonance and it's communicated through light." (William Tiller, PhD) This light the world calls 'Chi' is intelligence in the light of Christ! It is Jesus Christ's light that is the life force energy keeping us alive, "lending us breath" (Mosiah 2:21) being the universal recording mechanism and governing power of more than health. 

Open your heart to new possibilities.  There are new and exciting options that aid in health and wellness. My family is extremely blessed because we were led to these integrative methods! Explore my website to learn more. The search box is a most helpful tool on here. I highly recommend checking out my first book whether you are a beginner or a facilitator. It really opens eyes as to how much consciousness is tied to health. It opens up eyes about life force energy. You’ll see that Chi and chakras are for Christians!

Happy reading!

Tamara

Read about my first book here. For a scientific view, you might read the paper: "Six Pillars of Energy Medicine- Clinical Strengths of a Complementary Paradigm" by David Feinstein and Donna Eden.

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Tamara Tamara

The Amazing Stephan Family Story Continues


 
                      
My name is Tony Stephan, and this is the story of how my family overcame mental illness, after devastating loss.  In 1994 I had been married to my beloved wife Debbie for 23 years. During that time, we lost her father to suicide. He had struggled with severe depression, and in 1978, fatally overdosed on medications to escape his suffering. Then, sixteen years later, my beloved wife Debbie succumbed to the same fate . . . suicide.

Debbie had been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder 1 with Rapid Cycling.  One day she simply ended it.  The pain was unbearable.  It was like somebody took a chalkboard eraser and wiped out the most precious part of my life.

It got worse.  My son Joseph, fifteen years old, and his older sister, Autumn, were diagnosed

with the same illness.  Joseph was getting more violent and dangerous.  He was on 750 to 900 milligrams of Lithium or Carbolith per day, and he was just a lost soul.

There was one bright spot in this period, as I was blessed with a wonderful and supportive new wife, Barbara.  Barbara sought assistance for Joseph from a noted psychiatrist.  We went and met, praying for answers and hope.  Instead the Doctor became upset with me and asked Barbara to take Joseph out in the waiting room.  When the door closed it was like a shotgun going off in my face.  This noted psychiatrist said, "Mr. Stephan you need a reality check.  Don't you see it?  What you see is what you've got.  He's not going to get better."

My daughter, Autumn, was in and out of the psychiatric ward constantly.  Drugs didn't work.  Autumn was on five psychiatric med: Haldol, Rivotril, Epival, Ativan and Cogentin; and she was out of control: suicidal one minute, explosive the next - unable to care for herself... or her family.

WAS THERE REALLY AN ANSWER OUT THERE?

I started to pray.  I started to fast.  I started to search.  I started to ask everyone, "Do you know anything about bipolar?"  There just had to be an answer... somewhere!

One day it came.  I was talking to a friend I was working with, and telling him about how bad it was in our family with Joseph's and Autumn's illnesses.  He said that he didn't understand mental conditions, but he explained to me that he had spent twenty years in the agricultural industry.  He said, "You know, I looked after hundreds of thousands of animals, and we used to see this in the hog pens... these animals would have this disorder, sometimes, called Ear-and Tail-Biting Syndrome.  These animals would often become aggressive and hyper-irritable."  My thoughts turned to Joseph and his violent rages.

As my friend told me how the animals become extremely irritable and enraged, and about the explosive behavior, he said, "You know, we learned very quickly from the agricultural literature, the scientific literature, that you could nutrate away the disorder with good nutrition." In that instant I had an epiphany.  A burden was lifted and a sense of peace and light enveloped by mind.  I knew that God has just given me the answer:  Nutrition!

On January 17, 1996, almost two years to the day that my wife had committed suicide, we moved forward and starting loading micronutrients into Joseph.  Within thirty days, my son no longer exhibited any symptoms whatsoever of bipolar disorder.  It was gone! I remember sitting on the couch with him after six weeks and him saying to me, "Dad! Dad! ... Where was I?  What happened to me?  Why was I so angry?  Why was I so violent?"  And I said, "Joe, it doesn't matter. That was another day. It wasn't you.  It was the disorder."  There wasn't anything that we could do alone to correct the disorder; but the answer came, and I've never looked back -- and neither has Joseph.

My daughter Autumn was next.  Her husband had to work a graveyard shift so he dropped Autumn off at our home for a week as she could not be left alone.  It was then that I placed her on the same nutrient program as Joseph.  Within a few days she became calm... with dramatically fewer mood swings.  She was able to care for herself and her young son.

Within 45 days she was clear of all of her five medications. Both Autumn and Joseph have been well (as of 2013) for over eighteen years. Autumn has written a best seller titled, A Promise of Hope, published in 2007 by Harper Collins and available on Amazon.com.

When Autumn and Joseph were made well, many people in the community started to come for help with their loved ones.  After they tried the program and experienced the same results as my children, we started working with university researchers like world-renowned behavioral research scientist from the University of Calgary, Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan.  Dr. Kaplan's research was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 2001, which is the largest psychiatric journal in the world.  Soon there were other research studies and publications.  The University of Calgary, Harvard University, Ohio State University - Department of Psychiatry, The University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and many others.  There are now researchers [from 4 countries], 16 Universities and 34 medical Journal publications who have studied its effects on disorders like:
                                ADHD                                                          Autism  
                                Obsessive-compulsive disorder                 Bipolar affective disorder   
                                PTSD                                                            Addiction
                                Anxiety                                                         Stress                              
                                Depression                                                   early Alzheimers & Dementia

It's about restoration. It's about hope...healing...and health. Millions of bottles have been shared and over 100,000 souls have said, "Thank you" for this product.  . . .  I don't know if it will work for you or your loved ones, but it might… that is my true hope.

Try it now.
Tony Stephan


Tony’s new technology delivers the same ratio faster and more efficiently!  EMP Lightning bypasses the gut & goes directly into the bloodstream! A real GAME CHANGER!
It’s a powder in a stik, in 3 flavors kids love!
                                                              Just pour it on the tongue for calm, coping and clarity!

Trial packs or bags sold by Tamara at:   https://Hope.Renovaworldwide.com


Call Micronutrient Support Services at 1-866-397-3116 for dosage or if already taking Rx meds.

Their Amazing Story Continues...
In April 2019 Tony Stephan offers the Empowerplus formula advanced by technology for increased absorption!




It has gone through 5 additional steps to become EMP Lightning which doesn't have to go through the gut! Just sprinkle it on your tongue and it's absorbed into the bloodstream!
Feel a difference quick as lightning.

Order yours here: https://Hope.Renovaworldwide.com 

Hear Autumn's story of finding ANSWERS for bipolar that have helped 100,000+ people

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Tamara Tamara

The Story of True Hope for Mental Illness





My name is Tony Stephan, and this is the story 

of how my family overcame mental illness, after devastating loss.

In 1994 I had been married to my beloved wife Debbie for 23 years. During that time, we lost her father to suicide.  He had struggled with severe depression, and in 1978, fatally overdosed on medications to escape his suffering.  Then, sixteen years later, my beloved wife Debbie succumbed to the same fate . . . suicide.

Debbie had been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder 1 with Rapid Cycling.  One day she simply ended it.  The pain was unbearable.  It was like somebody took a chalkboard eraser and wiped out the most precious part of my life.


It got worse.  My son Joseph, fifteen years old, and his older sister, Autumn, were diagnosed with the same
illness.  Joseph was getting more violent and dangerous.  He was on 750 to 900 milligrams of Lithium or Carbo-lith per day, and he was just a lost soul.

There was one bright spot in this period, as I was blessed with a wonderful and supportive new wife, Barbara.  Barbara sought assistance for Joseph from a noted psychiatrist.  We went and met, praying for answers and hope.  Instead the Doctor became upset with me and asked Barbara to take Joseph out in the waiting room.  When the door closed it was like a shotgun going off in my face.  This noted psychiatrist said, "Mr. Stephan you need a reality check.  Don't you see it?  What you see is what you've got.  He's not going to get better."

My daughter, Autumn, was in and out of the psychiatric ward constantly.  Drugs didn't work.  Autumn was on five psychiatric med: Haldol, Rivotril, Epival, Ativan and Cogentin; and she was out of control: suicidal one minute, explosive the next - unable to care for herself... or her family.

WAS THERE REALLY AN ANSWER OUT THERE?

I started to pray.  I started to fast.  I started to search.  I started to ask everyone, "Do you know anything about bipolar?"  There just had to be an answer... somewhere!

One day it came.  I was talking to a friend I was working with, and telling him about how bad it was in our family with Joseph's and Autumn's illnesses.  He said that he didn't understand mental conditions, but he explained to me that he had spent twenty years in the agricultural industry.  He said, "You know, I looked after hundreds of thousands of animals, and we used to see this in the hog pens... these animals would have this disorder, sometimes, called Ear-and Tail-Biting Syndrome.  These animals would often become aggressive and hyper-irritable."  My thoughts turned to Joseph and his violent rages.

As my friend told me how the animals become extremely irritable and enraged, and about the explosive behavior, he said, "You know, we learned very quickly from the agricultural literature, the scientific literature, that you could nutrate away the disorder with good nutrition." In that instant I had an epiphany.  A burden was lifted and a sense of peace and light enveloped by mind.  I knew that God has just given me the answer:  Nutrition!

On January 17, 1996, almost two years to the day that my wife had committed suicide, we moved forward and starting loading micronutrients into Joseph.  Within thirty days, my son no longer exhibited any symptoms whatsoever of bipolar disorder.  It was gone!

I remember sitting on the couch with him after six weeks and him saying to me, "Dad! Dad! ... Where was I?  What happened to me?  Why was I so angry?  Why was I so violent?"  And I said, "Joe, it doesn't matter. That was another day. It wasn't you.  It was the disorder."  There wasn't anything that we could do alone to correct the disorder; but the answer came, and I've never looked back -- and neither has Joseph.

My daughter Autumn was next.  Her husband had to work a graveyard shift so he dropped Autumn off at our home for a week as she could not be left alone.  It was then that I placed her on the same nutrient program as Joseph.  Within a few days she became calm... with dramatically fewer mood swings.  She was able to care for herself and her young son.

Within 45 days she was clear of all of her five medications.

Both Autumn and Joseph have been well (as of 2013) for over eighteen years.

Autumn has written a best seller titled, A Promise of Hope, published in 2007 by Harper Collins and available on Amazon.com.

When Autumn and Joseph were made well, many people in the community started to come for help with their loved ones.  After they tried the program and experienced the same results as my children, we started working with university researchers like world-renowned behavioral research scientist from the University of Calgary, Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan.  Dr. Kaplan's research was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 2001, which is the largest psychiatric journal in the world.  Soon there were other research studies and publications.  The University of Calgary, Harvard University, Ohio State University - Department of Psychiatry, The University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and many others.  There are now over 40 researchers from 15 Universities and 23 medical Journal publications who have studied its effects on disorders like:

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Bipolar affective disorder
  • PTSD
  • Addiction
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Depression
It's about restoration. It's about hope...healing...and health.

Millions of bottles have been shared and over 100,000 souls have said, "Thank you" for this product.

I don't know if it will work for you or your loved ones, but it might... that is my true hope.

Try it now.

Tony Stephan


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
Tamara adds: I no longer sell formulas from Q Sciences. I order Empowerplus and the new version EMP Lightning from the founder, Tony Stephan, at www.hope.renovaworldwide.com



My daughter knew the first week that this formula was working for her.  Order your own bottle at my website above.  I am happy to answer your questions. Give me a call or email me on my contact form on the right sidebar.

(In February of 2013, Tony licensed the product Empowerplus to Q Sciences to market globally. This was terminated Sep. 29, 2018. Tony started his own company Renova  April 1, 2019, to take the the capsules and the new sublingual flavored powder version of it, EMP Lightning to the world.)

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Tamara Tamara

Essential Oils for Emotional Healing- Cherie Burton's Free Class

Are you  interested in learning about alternative help for depression, anxiety, and/or emotional healing?Cherie Burton, author of Where Depression Ends and You Begin- 4 Passages to Discovery, will be at my home this Thursday Oct. 14th from 7-9pm if I can gather at least 10 interested people.  If you are open to learning about essential oils,and will be in the Roy,Utah area please e-mail me at lightreader@xmission.com or call me at 801-985-7046 and I will give you directions to my home. Please feel free to share this invitation with your friends.

The following is Cherie's own  message:

Hello,

Many of you know that my family pedigree is riddled with Bipolar Disorder and Depression..and that I lost my sister to suicide 5 years ago.  As a family, we've made it our mission, since Shawna's death, to find other avenues of healing from depression and mental illnesses - as medications and traditional means of treatment found her no relief.  It has been quite the interesting journey, to say the least, discovering alternative healing modalities.


My other sisters, Robin and Taunia - and our mother Merrilyn - were presented with Essential Oils a few years ago.  We were very skeptical at first, but they have proven to be a tremendous blessing to our family, and most particularly to my sister Taunia, whose Bipolar symptoms/episodes have been almost completely abated without drugs.  These natural and potent Oils, more than any other modality, have been the greatest catalyst for emotional support and yes - healing - that our family has discovered.  Many people we work with are using the Oils alongside traditional forms of treatment for accelerated relief and emotional release.

It's sort of become a "mini mission" of mine to teach others about what has been near miraculous with my family...most especially since my son Noah has had his own issues.  You can read about that by clicking here:


If you know of anyone who is suffering with depression, please have them come.  Or, you may wish to come in their stead to get the information and pass it along.  I will be sharing a PowerPoint presentation on a "Mood Matrix" and talking about specific, intensive therapies with Essential Oils to combat depression and anxiety.

I am passionate about helping mothers become "physicians" in their homes and will be teaching classes twice monthly - one in LINDON and one in BOUNTIFUL- along with my sister, Robin.  November's class will focus on children with special needs - Autism/ADD/ADHD.  There have been some amazing transformations with these children because of the Oils, my son included...which you can read about in the blog post above.
Class goes from 7-9:00 pm

If you can't make it, and you'd like the info anyway, call me.  Also, let me know if you'd like me to update you on the monthly classes.


Would love to see you there!
Warmly,
Cherie 


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Tamara Tamara

Ezra Taft Benson addresses depression

What follows is a great sermon from a modern day prophet of God about depression.

Ezra Taft Benson, “Do Not Despair,” Ensign, Oct 1986, 2

We live, in an age when, as the Lord foretold, men’s hearts are failing them, not only physically but in spirit. (See D&C 45:26.) Many are giving up heart for the battle of life. Suicide ranks as a major cause of deaths of college students. As the showdown between good and evil approaches with its accompanying trials and tribulations, Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression.

Yet, of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic. For while we know that “peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion,” we are also assured that “the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” (D&C 1:35–36.)

With the assurance that the Church shall remain intact with God directing it through the troubled times ahead, it then becomes our individual responsibility to see that each of us remains faithful to the Church and its teachings. “He that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved.” (JS—M 1:11.) To help us from being overcome by the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency, the Lord has provided at least a dozen ways which, if followed, will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.

First, repentance. In the Book of Mormon we read that “despair cometh because of iniquity.” (Moro. 10:22.) “When I do good I feel good,” said Abraham Lincoln, “and when I do bad I feel bad.” Sin pulls a man down into despondency and despair. While a man may take some temporary pleasure in sin, the end result is unhappiness. “Wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10.) Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God’s laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy-laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (See Matt. 11:28–30.)

Second, prayer. Prayer in the hour of need is a great boon. From simple trials to our Gethsemanes, prayer—persistent prayer—can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel. “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror.” (D&C 10:5.) “Exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me” is how the young Joseph Smith describes the method that he used in the Sacred Grove to keep the adversary from destroying him. (JS—H 1:16.) This is also a key to use in keeping depression from destroying us.

Third, service. To lose yourself in righteous service to others can lift your sights and get your mind off personal problems, or at least put them in proper focus. “When you find yourselves a little gloomy,” said President Lorenzo Snow, “look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.” (In Conference Report, 6 Apr. 1899, pp. 2–3.)A woman whose life is involved in the righteous rearing of her children has a better chance of keeping up her spirits than the woman whose total concern is centered in her own personal problems.

Fourth, work. The earth was cursed for Adam’s sake. Work is our blessing, not our doom. God has a work to do, and so should we. Retirement from work has depressed many a man and hastened his death. It has been said that even the very fiends weave ropes of sand rather than face the pure hell of idleness. We should work at taking care of the spiritual, mental, social, and physical needs of ourselves and of those whom we are charged to help. In the church of Jesus Christ, there is plenty of work to do to move forward the kingdom of God. Missionary work, family genealogy and temple work, home evenings, receiving a Church assignment and magnifying it are but a few of our required labors.

Fifth, health. The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4), and that we should use moderation in all good things. In general, the more food we eat in its natural state—without additives—and the less it is refined, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies of certain elements in the body can promote mental depression. A good physical examination periodically is a safeguard and may spot problems that can be remedied. Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion and is a necessary change of pace; even its anticipation can lift the spirit.

Sixth, reading. Many a man in his hour of trial has turned to the Book of Mormon and been enlightened, enlivened, and comforted.The psalms in the Old Testament have a special food for the soul of one in distress. In our day, we are additionally blessed with the Doctrine and Covenants—modern revelation. The words of the prophets are crucial reading and can give direction and comfort in an hour when one is down.

Seventh, blessing. In a particularly stressful time, or in the anticipation of a critical event, one can seek for a blessing under the hands of the priesthood. Even the Prophet Joseph Smith sought and received a blessing under the hands of Brigham Young and received solace and direction for his soul. Fathers, so live that you can bless your own wives and children. To receive and then consistently and prayerfully ponder one’s patriarchal blessing can give helpful insight, particularly in an hour of need. The sacrament will “bless … the souls” (D&C 20:77, 79) of all those who worthily partake of it, and as such it should be taken often, even by the bedfast, who can arrange with their bishop to receive the sacrament at home or at the hospital.

Eighth, fasting. A certain kind of devil goes not out except by fasting and prayer, the scriptures tell us. (See Matt. 17:14–21.) Periodic fasting can help clear up the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit. The usual fast, the one we are asked to participate in for fast Sunday, is to abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals. Some people, feeling the need, have gone on longer fasts of abstaining from food but have taken the needed liquids. Wisdom should be used, and this fast should be broken with light eating. To make a fast most fruitful, it should be coupled with prayer and meditation; physical work should be held to a minimum, and one should ponder on the scriptures and the reason for the fast.

Ninth, friends. The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless. For one who has been in the prison of depression, the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith have special meaning: “How sweet the voice of a friend is; one token of friendship from any source whatever awakens and calls into action every sympathetic feeling.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 134.)

Ideally, our family ought to be our closest friends. Most important, we should seek to become the friend of our Father in Heaven and our brother Jesus the Christ. What a boon to be in the company of those who edify us! To have friends, one should be friendly. Friendship should begin at home and then be extended to encompass the home teacher, quorum leader, bishop, and other Church teachers and leaders. To meet often with the Saints and enjoy their companionship can buoy up the heart.

Tenth, music. Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul. When Saul was troubled with an evil spirit, David played for him with his harp; Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed. (See 1 Sam. 16:23.) Elder Boyd K. Packer has wisely suggested memorizing some of the inspiring songs of Zion and then, when the mind is afflicted with temptations, singing aloud, to keep before your mind the inspiring words and crowd out the evil thoughts. (See Ensign, Jan. 1974, p. 28.) This could also be done to crowd out debilitating, depressive thoughts.

Eleventh, endurance. When George A. Smith was very ill, he was visited by his cousin, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The afflicted man reported: “He [the Prophet] told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I were sunk into the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged, but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I should come out on the top of the heap.” (George A. Smith Family, comp. Zora Smith Jarvis, Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1962, p. 54.)

There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” (D&C 121:7–8.)

Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. Even our master Jesus the Christ, while facing that supreme test of being temporarily left alone by our Father during the crucifixion, continued performing his labors for the children of men, and then shortly thereafter he was glorified and received a fulness of joy. While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful. And you can have that certain knowledge that in due time God will wipe away all tears and that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9.)

Twelfth, goals. Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering him and keeping his commandments. Of Jesus’ preparations for his mission, the scripture states that he “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52.) This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social. “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” asked the Master, and he answered, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” (3 Ne. 27:27.) Now, there is a lifetime goal—to walk in his steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as he has done, to seek his face, and to work to make our calling and election sure.

“Brethren,” said Paul, “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philip. 3:13–14.)

Let your minds be filled with the goal of being like the Lord, and you will crowd out depressing thoughts as you anxiously seek to know him and do his will. “Let this mind be in you,” said Paul. (Philip. 2:5.) “Look unto me in every thought,” said Jesus. (D&C 6:36.) And what will follow if we do? “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” (Isa. 26:3.

“Salvation,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith, “is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet.” (Teachings, p. 297.) We can rise above the enemies of despair, depression, discouragement, and despondency by remembering that God provides righteous alternatives, some of which I have mentioned. As it states in the Bible, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13.)

Yes, life is a test; it is a probation; and perhaps being away from our heavenly home we feel sometimes, as holy men in the past have felt, that we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (See D&C 45:13.)Some of you will recall in that great book Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan that the main character known as Christian was trying to press forward to gain entrance to the celestial city. He made it to his goal, but in order to do so, he had to overcome many obstacles, one of which was to escape from the Giant Despair. To lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing, the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency can be defeated in a dozen ways, namely: repentance, prayer, service, work, health, reading, blessings, fasting, friends, music, endurance, and goals. May we use them all in the difficult days ahead so that we Christian pilgrims will have greater happiness here and go on to a fulness of joy in the highest realms of the celestial kingdom."

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For further information that ties in with steps 8 and 11, read a post on casting out darkness as spoken of in D&C 50 and dozens of scriptures.  Click HERE.

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