This document contains a presentation about making good choices and avoiding addictions and distractions. It discusses the importance of developing healthy relationships and using technology in moderation. It warns that excessive time spent on digital media can displace important human relationships and spiritual growth. The presentation provides advice on recognizing addictive behaviors and seeking help from others. It encourages focusing on solution-oriented activities like exercise, spending time with family and developing spiritual habits.

1. Things as They Really Are Richard Sullivan, LISW LDS Family Services July 23, 2010

2. Jacob 4:13 The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls” Template 008.ppt2

3. You Win! 3 Prizes 3 Options 1 Choice Template 008.ppt3

4. Template 008.ppt4 21st Birthday

5. Template 008.ppt5 Right Now 1 year

6. The Dilemma Is there anything wrong with pizza? Is this pizza going to taste really good? Is there anything wrong with lots of pizza? What is wrong with the pizza? Template 008.ppt6

7. Marshmallows Template 008.ppt7

8. President Packer Our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character. Thus, our relationships with other people, our capacity to recognize and act in accordance with truth, and our ability to obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are amplified through our physical bodies. Template 008.ppt8

9. President Packer Simply stated, there are lessons we must learn and experiences we must have, as the scriptures describe, “according to the flesh. Template 008.ppt9

10. According to the Flesh We enjoy running, jumping, playing We enjoy treats and pizza We participate in gospel ordinances We have fun and we learn to work We develop relationships We experience physical pain We experience temptations of every kind Template 008.ppt10

11. Our Physical Experience is Enhanced Television Video & Computer Games Internet Cell Phone Texting Facebook Template 008.ppt11 Is There Anything Wrong With These Things?

12. Elder David A. Bednar Sadly, some young men and women in the Church today ignore “things as they really are” and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. My heart aches when a young couple—sealed together in the house of the Lord for time and for all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood-- Template 008.ppt12

13. Elder David A. Bednar Experiences marital difficulties because of the addicting effect of excessive video gaming or online socializing. A young man or woman may waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit vocational or academic achievement, and ultimately sacrifice cherished human relationships because of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online games. Template 008.ppt13

14. Doctrine and Covenants 60:13 “Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment…: thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be know.” Template 008.ppt14

15. Sealing Room Newport Beach CA Template 008.ppt15

16. Copenhagen Denmark Temple Template 008.ppt16

17. Elder David A. Bednar I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls. The concnerns I raise are not new; they apply equally to other types of media, such as television, movies, and music. Template 008.ppt17

18. Elder David A. Bednar I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes. If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse our physical bodies, then one of his most potent Template 008.ppt18

19. Elder David A. Bednar tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied spirits to disconnect gradually and physically from things as they really are. Please be careful of becoming so immersed and engrossed in pixels, texting, ear buds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive uses of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the Template 008.ppt19

20. Elder David A. Bednar Importance of your physical bodies and miss the richness of person-to-person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer-mediated interaction that can displace the full range of physical capacity and experience. Template 008.ppt20

21. When Does It Become Destructive When you do it longer than you had planned When you hear things that aren’t there When you can’t stop thinking about it When you have anxiety withdrawals When your parents ground you from it When you have tried to stop and cannot Template 008.ppt21

22. Denial System Lying (everyone lies a little) Rationalization (it does no harm) (this will be the last time) (I have already messed up) (just a little sin) Justification (everybody does it) Desensitization (it’s not all that bad) Dissociation (spaced out) Template 008.ppt22

23. President Joseph F. Smith The gift of revelation does not belong to one man solely..It is not confined to the presiding authorities of the Church, it belongs to every individual member of the Church; and it is the right and privilege of every man, every women, and every child who has reached the years of accountability, to enjoy the spirit of revelation, and to be possessed of the spirit of inspiration in the discharge of their duties as members of the Church. Template 008.ppt23

24. President Joseph F. Smith It is the privilege of every individual member of the Church to have revelation for his own guidance, for the direction of his life and conduct. Template 008.ppt24 When did you last receive revelation? WHY?

25. Through Your Thoughts & Feelings God Needs to Communicate with You! To Warn You When In Danger To Inspire You When Stuck To Comfort You When You Have Been Hurt To Strengthen You When You Need Courage To Guide You When Making Decisions To Tell You He Loves You Template 008.ppt25

26. John Born and raised in the Church Seminary, Mission, BYU, MBA Married in the Temple Great Job, BMW, 500K Home Addicted to Pornography Template 008.ppt26

27. Compulsive Cycle Template 008.ppt27

28. Mistake Template 008.ppt28

29. Needed Change Template 008.ppt29

30. Joy Cycle Template 008.ppt30

31. Solution Focused not Problem Centered It is important with addictions to become solution-focused and not problem centered. Don’t overly focus on the addictions but rather lend your efforts to the myriad of ways you can diminish or eliminate them. Template 008.ppt31

32. Do Not Think About A Pink Elephant Template 008.ppt32

33. Maybe You Thought of This Template 008.ppt33

34. Healthy Alternatives Play / Hike / Bike / Exercise Get out of your room, the house (have fun) Strengthen Relationships Balance the time your plugged in Listen to Uplifting Media Read the Scriptures / Pray Template 008.ppt34

35. HALT Hungry Angry Lonely Tired Bored Template 008.ppt35

36. If You Are Stuck --Reach Out The single most effective way to change an unwanted or wanted behavior is to create accountability. In order for someone to keep you accountable they must be aware of the struggle and you must be willing to be honest. Openness and honesty will bring more peace and comfort to your life than anything else. Template 008.ppt36

37. Elder David A. Bednar Two questions to consider as you strive to be real. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways? Template 008.ppt37

38. Who was hungry? Template 008.ppt38 COLD

39. Our beloved young men and women, we have great confidence in you. You are choice spirits who have come forth in this day when the responsibilities and opportunities, as well as the temptations, are the greatest. You are at the beginning of your journey through this mortal life. Your Heavenly Father wants your life to be joyful and to lead you back into His presence. The decisions you make now will determine much of what will follow during your life and throughout eternity. Template 008.ppt39

40. Because the Lord loves you, he has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey. Template 008.ppt40