Beyond the Label: When 'Addict' Meets the Atonement

There is a subtle but dangerous theological drift happening in some recovery circles that threatens the very core of our testimony: the belief that we can define ourselves by our sins rather than our potential in Christ. In a recent episode of Saints in the South, the hosts and guests, Elder and Sister Scott Mathis, shared profound insights from their service mission with the Healing Through the Savior Addiction Recovery Program. Their testimony highlights a critical distinction for every Latter-day Saint: the difference between admitting we have a problem and allowing that admission to define our eternal identity.

The program itself is a vital resource, adapting the twelve steps to align with the doctrines and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It addresses not just substances, but behaviors—gambling, pornography, unhealthy eating—that afflict the mind, body, and spirit. However, as Elder Mathis noted, while health care professionals may label addiction a physical disease, the gospel solution must address the spiritual reality that we are all children of God with divine potential.

One of the most striking moments in the episode was Elder Mathis’s personal testimony. Born in the Church to a convert father and lifelong member mother, he experienced the classic pattern of many: active as a child, falling away in his late teens, and returning years later. His return wasn't sparked by a thunderbolt from heaven, but by two random acts of kindness from brethren named Stephen Hutchison and Mike Mobley while he was sitting on the block. In that moment, the spirit confirmed what he had tried for thirteen years to ignore: "I'm going to go where I know things work."

But it is his reflection on identity that demands our attention. The transcript notes a caution often overlooked: "If we define ourselves as addicts, we may unintentionally deny the truth that Jesus Christ can heal us and change our very nature." This is a hard truth for the modern ear accustomed to therapeutic language that privileges the self over the Savior. We must walk a fine line. Honesty about our addiction is necessary for progress; but letting that label become our primary identity is a spiritual trap.

The Balance of Truth and Hope

Elder Mathis referenced Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s famous declaration: "You can never sink deeper than the reach of the Savior." This is not merely a comforting platitude; it is a doctrinal anchor. Recovery begins with honesty, but it continues with reliance on the Atonement. The twelve steps, when properly oriented toward Christ, lead us to admit our powerlessness over sin and our absolute dependence on Him.

When we say "I am an addict," we risk implying that this condition is immutable. When we say "I am a child of God struggling with addiction," we acknowledge the battle while holding fast to the victory already won at Golgotha. The goal of the Healing Through the Savior program is not just behavioral modification; it is transformation. It is coming unto Christ and receiving the blessings of complete spiritual health.

Service and Calling

Elder and Sister Mathis were set apart for a two-year service mission in January 2024, serving under the direction of the state presidency rather than through the traditional missionary council. This distinction is important. They are not proselyting missionaries; they are called servants. When they wear their name tags at a funeral or a support meeting, they represent the Church’s care for its most vulnerable members. Their testimony that "we're still doing what we've got to do" reflects the relentless nature of discipleship.

For those of us who feel far from the temple or our calling, their story is a reminder that God uses imperfect vessels. Elder Mathis did not return to the Church because he was perfect; he returned because he knew where things work. He recognized that his own strength was insufficient and sought the authority and power of the priesthood restored in the latter days.

Application for the Disciple

As we engage with this material, let us examine our own language and self-perception. Do we use our struggles as excuses, or do we use them as bridges to humility? The Healing Through the Savior workbook is available through the Church’s manual library, but its principles apply to all of us who struggle with any form of sin. We must be honest about the power of addiction—whether it is to technology, pride, or substance—but we must never lose sight of the truth that Jesus Christ can restore us.

I invite you to listen to the full episode to hear Elder and Sister Mathis discuss the practicalities of service and the spiritual nuances of recovery. Then, open your scriptures. Read Mosiah 3:9: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever unless he yeilds to the enticings of the Holy Spirit." The "yielding" is where the iron rod comes into play. It is not a passive hope; it is an active reliance on the Word of God.

Let us pray for the clarity to see ourselves as Christ sees us: redeemed, worthy, and capable of great good. Let us support those in recovery with charity, not just sympathy. And let us strive to keep our covenants, knowing that no matter how deep we fall, His reach is longer.