Mental Health and The Gospel Part I--Healing through the Atonement

For some time I have let incubate in my mind thoughts on how to best reconcile the teachings of the restored Gospel with philosophy and practice that I continually learn as a grad student in clinical psychology. These two camps are sometimes divergent, but are actually more similar than one might think; in fact, I have come to believe that part of my earthly mission is to dispel among church members the oft-held myth that the study of behavior and the mind is antithetical to the study of the Savior. The only antithetical thing about that statement is the statement itself. The next two posts will be dedicated to shedding light on this mystery of the Kingdom. My hope is to empower the weakest of us, and inspire the strongest of us to find the Savior in even the greatest and least understood of our challenges. I stress that these thoughts are purely my own; as such, I invite all who read to ponder them, and follow the Spirit while interpreting the words that follow.

In 1986 then Elder Boyd K. Packer, a master instructor, shared this nugget:

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

To the untrained eye, this quote by President Packer may seem to deflate my ideas before they even get moving; the answer to all the ails that we feel must be that if we just study and study and study, we will be guided to better behavior. I believe this to be true, for it has worked in my own life. Some months ago I was inspired to study twice a day in stead of my post-mission tradition of just reading at night; the results have been remarkable, and I have seen an added measure of growth in my own life.

I consider myself fortunate to have been able to grasp the scriptures commensurate with increased study and prayer; but what about those for whom it doesn't so easily? Are they who haven't learned good Gospel study habits forever destined to be slower in learning to follow the Savior? I think not! The Savior is explicit about who he allows to partake of His goodness:

"And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them. (Doctrine and Covenants 112:13:13 )"

This does not just apply to the learned, but anyone who hearkens unto the Savior, not stiffening their necks against him. It does not speak of those who are more intelligent or have a greater capacity to learn, but it is anyone who willingly comes unto Christ.

So what does this all mean for President Packer's quote? As I see it, it means that our behavior changes as we study the Gospel, but as we do so at our own pace. For those of us who study temporal things (including behavior), it is important that we follow the prophet Nephi's counsel:

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (2 Nephi 2:29)

For me, this means taking a philosophical stance toward the science-religion debate that places the nature of man at a point of imperfection. As such, man is not able to "comprehend all the things that the Lord can comprehend (Mosiah 4:9)," but is able to obtain truths "line upon line (see Isaiah 28:10; D & C 98:12)" as God sees fit. As a behavioral scientist, it is ever important that to recognize this, and to see scientifically-derived truths for what they are--a small drop in a large bucket of eternal truth.

With that said, I do not regret my choice to enter into the mental health field, as I see a unique challenge in building the kingdom, which will for me inevitably last for the remainder of my life. In fact, I "feel it a pleasure to serve (Hymns, 19)" in this capacity, and know that the Lord will bless my in my temporal endeavors as I strive to put Him in the forefront. I know this to be true of all people, and I know that all people are susceptible to degenerating in the face of temptation. Let us all be diligent and prayerful that we might make it through those times, that the Atonement may lay hold upon us, sanctifying us in preparation for the great and dreadful day of the Lord (see Malachi 4; 3 Nephi 25).

Have a great week!