Spiritual Transformation

 

Today I ask myself: What changes have I gone through since coming into Alcoholics Anonymous and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The most obvious is that I’m sober—and have been for over 36 years. But there’s been a deeper, more profound change over time: a transformation in how I view and approach the world.

A reading from the book Hour to Hour (May 20, 2025) puts it well:

“Today, I see that to change my life I have to change myself. Nothing less than a spiritual transformation will allow me to experience my current life as an alive, serene and whole person. When I say that I would like world peace, first I will understand that without inner peace there will be no world peace.”

That speaks directly to me. Until my thoughts and actions are aligned with peace, I can’t expect the world around me to be peaceful. The reading says plainly: “Nothing less than a spiritual transformation.”
My first reaction? “That’s easy for you to say.”
And yet—it’s the truth. That brings us to the how of spiritual transformation.

According to one AI platform:

“Spiritual transformation is a deep, personal journey that involves shifting your perspective, healing past wounds, and embracing a higher sense of purpose. It’s not just about belief—it’s about inner change that leads to a more peaceful, meaningful life.”

That description stopped me in my tracks. I realized: I already have a roadmap for this. The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—found in the Big Book, page 58, “How It Works”—are specifically designed to bring about a spiritual awakening.

The process the AI describes is remarkably similar:

• Admit you need help.

• Turn your will over to a higher power.

• Allow that power to guide and transform your life.

• Identify and work to remove your character defects.

• Make amends.

• Seek daily spiritual connection through prayer and meditation.

• Share your experience with others to help them find healing.

These aren't just steps to sobriety—they’re steps toward becoming spiritually whole.

So what's the point of all this?

The truth is, I wouldn’t have the life I live today if not for spiritual transformation. I wouldn’t be at peace. I wouldn’t be thinking clearly. I wouldn’t be surrounded by the deep, lasting friendships I now cherish. My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are doing for me what I could never do for myself. That’s not just belief—that’s experience. That’s testimony.

---

Appendix A: An AI Summary of the Spiritual Transformation Process

1. Self-Reflection & Awareness
   Examine your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Identify patterns—fear, resentment, limiting beliefs—that hold you back. Journaling or meditation can help uncover deeper truths.

2. Surrender & Letting Go
   Release control of what you can’t change. Accept life’s uncertainties and trust in divine guidance. Forgiveness—of self and others—is essential.

3. Seeking Wisdom & Guidance
   Read scripture or spiritual texts. Listen to uplifting teachings. Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth. Explore prayer, mindfulness, or contemplation.

4. Practicing Gratitude & Compassion
   Focus on what you have rather than what’s missing. Acts of kindness and service deepen connection. Gratitude transforms the mind and brings peace.

5. Living with Purpose
   Align your life with your values and spiritual insights. Express your journey—through service, creativity, or testimony. Remember: transformation is ongoing.

Recovery, Social Justice, and the Invisible

 

Dear Reader, 

When I came into Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery, one statement stood out immediately:

"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking."

What a powerful idea. It places AA squarely in the midst of a world burdened with social, political, and spiritual injustice. It opens the door to the invisible, the downtrodden, and the enslaved — declaring they are worthy of healing and hope. No pedigree required. Just a desire.

As Bill Wilson once said:

“We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful.”

This kind of belonging speaks not only to recovery but to humanity at large. It’s echoed in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“The poor in our country have been shut out of our minds, and driven from the mainstream of our societies because we have allowed them to become invisible.”

Today, I noticed something that disturbed me. While browsing BrainyQuote — a widely used website for inspirational and notable quotes — I discovered there was no topic listed for "Racism."
That absence speaks loudly.

Yes, perhaps the site is curated to be advertiser-friendly or overly focused on general positivity. But to exclude racism as a topic is, in itself, a form of erasure. Silence can be complicity. As Rosa Parks once noted:

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.”

And Maya Angelou wisely warned:

“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”

Ibram X. Kendi put it plainly:

“The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it — and then dismantle it.”

But this reflection isn’t just about race. The principle of inclusion in AA goes beyond ethnicity or nationality. It extends to all who find themselves on the margins: men and women, rich and poor, gay or straight, trans or questioning, homeless or affluent, religious or atheist. All are welcome.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said:

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home... Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”

Scripture offers its own powerful witness:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28
“He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him... black and white, bond and free, male and female...” — 2 Nephi 26:33 (Book of Mormon)

As Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us:

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

So let’s speak up — in our communities, in the rooms of recovery, in our writing, and in our daily lives. Question what is absent. Question why some words and topics are missing from our platforms. Then form an opinion, grounded in love, and share it boldly.

---

Other Sources of Inspiration

“Indifference is dangerous, whether innocent or not. Behind every form of discrimination lies a refusal to acknowledge the dignity of others.” — Pope Francis

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” — Audre Lorde

“Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry — it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood.” — Coretta Scott King

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” — Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:40)

“Ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain... For behold, are we not all beggars?” — Mosiah 4:16,19 (Book of Mormon)

Because of Him—Easter Video

This video was the basis of yesterdays blog.  It is inspirational on its own.

enjoy

Breaking the Final Barrier: Christ and the Impossible

When the Wright brothers first lifted off the ground in 1903, the world crossed an invisible threshold. Humanity, once confined to the dirt and dust of the earth, had taken flight. With the discovery of electricity, light began to banish darkness from homes, cities, and minds. The moon landing in 1969 pulled back the curtain of the heavens and whispered to us: nothing is impossible.

And yet, long before any of these feats, a greater revolution took place.

Over two thousand years ago, a carpenter from Nazareth—quiet, strong, and skilled with his hands—shattered the most absolute human limits—not gravity, not darkness, not even space—but sin, death, and separation from God. This carpenter was also a teacher, one who spoke with power and compassion, who taught not just with words but with His life. His name was Jesus Christ. And His resurrection was the single greatest turning point in the history of the world.

The scientific breakthroughs of the last few centuries have revealed what humans can achieve. But what Christ did reveals what only God can do. Let’s consider a few parallels:

1. Flight: Overcoming Gravity

Humans dreamed of flying for millennia. But gravity held us down. Then came flight.

Christ, too, lifted us. Not into the skies, but into eternity. He overcame the gravitational pull of the Fall. As He said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).

2. Electricity: Overcoming Darkness

Electricity gave us light. It changed how we live, see, and connect. But long before Edison or Tesla, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). And in D&C 50:24, we read: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light… receiveth more light.”

Christ doesn’t just illuminate cities—He lights up souls.

3. Space Travel: Overcoming Earthbound Limits

The moon landing thrilled the world because it symbolized our desire to go beyond what we can touch. But Jesus did more. He bridged heaven and earth. He didn’t just go up—He came down. The veil in the temple tore, and heaven touched earth (see Hebrews 10:20).

4. Healing: Overcoming Corruption

Penicillin and modern medicine have lengthened life. But Christ doesn’t just treat disease—He heals the cause. “With his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). He cures not just bodies, but broken hearts and wounded spirits.

The Light Grows Brighter

Doctrine and Covenants 50 invites us to discern truth by its fruits: light, clarity, growth, and edification. Verse 24 says that light from God grows "brighter and brighter until the perfect day."

Science gives us physical light. Christ gives us eternal light.

As we reflect on the great achievements of the modern age, we should marvel at what mankind has done—but never forget what Christ has done. He is not just a great teacher. He is the Redeemer. The Revolutionary. The one who broke the final barrier.

Gravity, darkness, space, and disease may have fallen to human ingenuity. But sin, death, and hell fell to Christ alone.

And because of Him, we too may rise.

Think, Think, Think

How many times have I seen the AA slogan "Think, Think, Think" on a meeting room wall and thought to myself:

"That is the worst motto ever... for me!"

If there's one character defect I continue to wrestle with, it's over-analyzing—thinking obsessively, whether inside the box, outside the box, or inventing a brand-new box altogether.

A line from Shakespeare's Hamlet has always struck me — and sometimes tripped me up:

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” — Hamlet (Act 2, Scene 2)

If thinking holds such power, then for someone in recovery, thinking can feel like a double-edged sword. At times, my thoughts are not my allies—they’re obstacles.

So how do I move forward?

Filtering Thoughts with Wisdom

The answer, perhaps, lies not in whether we think, but in how we filter our thinking. 

Willie Nelson said it simply: "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

The consequences of our thinking matter. Repetitive, negative thoughts can drain our hope and peace. But practicing positive, grounded thinking can shift our mood, our behavior, and even our experience of daily life.

Which brings us back to that AA slogan:

"Think, Think, Think."

On its own, it may be overwhelming. But paired with other AA principles — "Easy Does It," "Keep It Simple," "One Day at a Time" — it becomes part of a balanced approach. Sometimes it takes a whole toolbox, not just one tool. Or as a friend of mine puts it:

"One size fits none."

Wisdom Across Time: Here are a few other voices that help me shape healthier thinking:

Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace: "The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience."

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov: "Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him."

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations: "You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

René Descartes: "It is not enough to possess a good mind; it must be applied."

Proverbs 4:7: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

2 Nephi 9:28–29 (Book of Mormon): “…When they are learned they think they are wise… But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”

In Conclusion: Thinking is not the enemy.

It’s the orientation of our thoughts—spiritually grounded, humble, and positive—that makes all the difference.

When we align our minds with wisdom, truth, and grace, we create space not for obsession or fear, but for joy and recovery.

Divine Advocacy and the Spiritual Edge

 

I had a chance today to talk with someone standing at the threshold of a life-altering decision. It was the kind of choice that could only be made through faith. As we spoke, I was reminded of a quote by Hunter S. Thompson:

“The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”

That line brought back a vivid memory — the moment in my own life when I stood at the edge and had to decide whether to step forward in faith or fall back into fear. I remember the peace that came when I finally surrendered. It was a peace rooted not in certainty, but in trust — trust in Jesus Christ, who had already gone before me.

Christ reached His own edge in Gethsemane. In that moment of agony, He uttered the ultimate prayer of surrender and advocacy:

“Not my will, but thine, be done.”
He showed me the way to cross over. He stepped through the unknown not just for Himself, but for all of us — pleading our cause before the Father, becoming our Advocate.

So when I needed to step through my own fear and uncertainty, all I had to do was follow His example — to trust in the path He opened, and in the Gospel He lived and died to advocate.

This is the key to facing any edge, especially the edge of judgment:
We are not alone.
We have an Advocate with the Father.
He knows the fear of the edge, and He knows the way through.

---

Crossing Over: Recovery and Redemption

One of the first edges I ever stepped through was the doorway of Alcoholics Anonymous — the day I finally got sober.
Another came when I chose to be baptized — committing my life to a new direction, a new power, and a new identity in Christ.

In both moments, I stood at a turning point, and by God’s grace, I stepped through.

Here are a few scriptures and insights that continue to guide me at those edges:

“We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 59

“I had to believe in a Spirit of the Universe, who knew neither time nor limitation.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 10

“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
— 1 John 2:1

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
— Matthew 10:39

“Take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
— Luke 9:23

“Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin… Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name.”
— Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5

“When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours.”
— President Russell M. Nelson, April 2017

---

When we come to the edge — of addiction, despair, fear, or change — we don’t need to cross alone.
We have a Savior who stepped through before us.
We have an Advocate who pleads for us.
And if we will reach out, His hand is already extended.

Fate and Freedom: A Recovery Journey

 

---

Sometimes I question the events in my life: were they acts of self-awareness or expressions of fate?

Take, for example, when I interviewed for my last job. Was I just running from the life I had—or was it fate (or a Higher Power) that opened the door to a new career, a new home, and ultimately, a new life? Was it part of a divine plan that led me to recovery and the grace I live in today?

Some say I was lucky. Others say self-will made the difference.
But back then, I believed some people were simply meant to drink themselves to death—that fate had already cast its vote, and mine wasn’t in my favor.

Carl Jung once said:

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

That quote haunted me because it rang true. I lived as though the script had been written, and all I could do was stumble through it. But something changed.

I began to see a different possibility.

Viktor Frankl said:

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."

That space—however small—was my lifeline. My Higher Power offered me a choice. Not a demand. Not an ultimatum. A choice.

And in that choice, something remarkable happened. I found a path. Or maybe the path found me.
I was guided to a new city, surrounded by new people, and offered a new way of living. It didn’t come easy, and it didn’t come without pain. But as Richard Rohr wisely said:

"Transformation is often found not in the avoidance of suffering, but in the deeper meaning we give to it."

Recovery gave me the time and space to stand still long enough for grace to catch up with me. I found a fellowship that surrounded me with safety and purpose. I found the whisper of God that said, “You are not alone.”

Today, I know there’s a plan. I no longer believe I’m just being tossed by the winds of fate.

As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28:

“All things work together for good to them that love God…”

And as the AA Big Book says,

“We are willing to grow along spiritual lines.”

That willingness has made all the difference. What I once saw as fate, I now see as providence—and partnership.

“I thought I had to fight fate alone. But I wasn’t alone. I never was.”

I no longer ask what fate holds.
I ask:
What can I give? What truth can I carry?

And I walk forward—free.

---

📜 Axioms That Ground My Daily Life

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying."
— Joan of Arc

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."
— Marcus Aurelius

"Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resists."
— Plutarch

"To me, this means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice, and love; a God who intends for me a purpose, a meaning, and a destiny to grow."
— Bill Wilson, As Bill Sees It

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh... they are free to choose liberty and eternal life... or to choose captivity and death."
— 2 Nephi 2:27, Book of Mormon

---

🌿 Final Thought

I used to think fate was a prison sentence.
Now I see it as the beginning of a relationship—with God, with others, and with the person I was meant to become.

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
— Matthew 6:34