Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, Stephen Burnett was called on a mission to preach in any of the four directions. In the revelation as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 80, the Lord makes reference to a desire of Stephen Burnett to have a companion. The Lord said:

…inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith (D&C 80:2).

(more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

It has been a very long time since I was baptized, almost 47 years now. My memories of the day are faded. I know it happened in the Norwalk Stake Center in Norwalk, California. That stake center is now gone as far as I know. I tried to find it once. The current stake center in that area doesn’t look anything like the one I remember. Other than that, the baptism itself is a blur. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

I’m not sure how to explain why a post about “Man Hugs” is appearing on a web site for sexual addictions. Most men who struggle with same-sex attraction in a context of striving to be faithful to the teachings of the Church will understand. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

Fifteen minutes ago I was paralyzed.  Not totally paralyzed, and not physically paralyzed, but I was definitely hiding in my shell, huddling a little bit, and hiding from the world.  I had a reply from Rusty on the Support Forums that I needed to respond to.  I needed to talk to a friend about going to the temple for the first time in a long time.  I needed to talk to my brother-in-law about help with a home project.  I needed to return a call from the HR lady at work.  This doesn’t sound like a big deal, probably, but these are things that I was just hiding from.  I wanted to stay in my little comfort space and hide. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

Cross-posted on Body Images Forum

For years, I have battled weight issues. I emerged into adulthood so skinny my dad thought I was going to die, but as the years went on, gained weight–a lot. I went from 6’1″ and 180 pounds to 416 pounds. 80 pounds sounds like a hefty kid to some, but I was pretty thin. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

I just re-read Quitting.  Again. and had some more thoughts about the quitting business based on how things went from the time I wrote it.  Those who frequent the Support Forums will already know that I’m now lined up to be getting to my Temple Recommend for the first time in a very long time.  But the path to that has been rather interesting. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

Impatience is something I fight constantly. I’m the sort of person that once I know what I want, I expect to be able to obtain it as soon as possible, usually by doing some small task and then being done with it. I find it difficult to wait. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

In a Sunday School lesson I attended, the question was asked, “How do we overcome the influence of Satan in our lives?” Though I didn’t specifically hear any wrong answers, I was frustrated that they all had the same basic tone: just decide you are going to not do what he wants you to. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

Over the years I’ve operated LDSR.org, I’ve seen a lot of people come to our support forums and often go as quickly as they came. Some post, get what they feel they need, and disappear. Some leave, thinking they had finally reached a point of no longer needing the support we offer, only to return later having dug deeper into their addictive behavior than before. I hope that some truly were helped enough to no longer need us. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.

Kevin thought he was addicted to pornography. “I must be. I’ve tried so hard to stop. I’ve worked for the last five years at it, and yet I still can’t kick the habit completely.” When I talked to him about his approach, it sounded like he was doing almost everything right. He had opened up to his family about the problem and would talk to them about lapses. He had sought the help of his bishop and met with him regularly. He was participating in the Church’s addiction recovery program and regularly attended their 12-step group meetings. He maintained a habit of regular prayer and scripture study. (more…)

Copyright 2010, Inner Vessel Productions.