2 Nephi - Chapter 27

When I was younger and prouder I could hardly stand to think about the sealed portion of The Book of Mormon.  I wanted to look inside so badly.  It was like an unopened present beneath the Christmas tree, so attractive and appealing, yet off limits.
Today, a bit more humble, I've discovered that I've barely scratched the surface of what was not sealed.  I don't even measure up to that gift, how could I possibly be prepared for more?  Not yet.  Not even close.

 3 And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, even as unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty; or like unto a thirsty man which dreameth, and behold he drinketh but he awaketh and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; yea, even so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.

  4 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink.

It is amazing to me how spot on these two verses are when it comes to my addiction.  To anyone's addiction.  Addicts often describe the "hole in the heart" or internal emptiness that nothing external seems to satisfy or fill.  It is indeed an appetite that never goes away.  I have come to believe that that feeling is spiritual hunger.  We are so good at satisfying physical hunger and so poor at recognizing spiritual hunger.  Too many spirits are literally starving to death.  In an effort to satiate a lack we don't even understand we seek drugs, alcohol, pornography, food, anything we think might help.  Very often in today's world we are indeed drunken and not necessarily with wine.

I believe the world at large is still trying to emerge from the darkness of centuries of apostasy.  Even in the church many are trapped in old, self sufficient ways of thinking that lead us to seek our own solutions, our own fixes, rather than turning to the true and living God for the sustenance only He can give.  I also believe that currently addiction in its many hideous forms is Satan's most captivating insidious tool.

The Book of Mormon as a voice from the dust, anticipated this very problem as directed by God.  It is the sole greatest source for addiction recovery.  It's promise in that regard is unto all.

Thanks to The Book of Mormon -

35 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.