"Recovery from sex and pornography addiction is possible and it is wonderful!" This is the message repeated throughout "Sitting in a Rowboat Throwing Marbles at a Battleship" by Andrew P. As the world around us becomes more sexualized by the moment, we Latter-day Saints are at a crossroads. Pornography has infiltrated the homes of even the most careful members of the LDS faith. Mormons know that porn and compulsive sexual behavior are wrong. We have been hearing it from the pulpit for years.
And yet why do so many of our men seem unable to break free of pornography's grasp? Why do they keep going back? Why do they seem to be getting weaker instead of stronger? Do they find joy in their behavior? Don't they love their wives and kids? Don't they care about their temple covenants? Do they lack faith in the Savior's Atonement? Is their understanding of the saving principles of the Gospel deficient? Why don't they just stop?
"Sitting in a Rowboat Throwing Marbles at a Battleship" answers all these questions as it explores the journey from hopeless addiction to complete sobriety and true recovery from pornography and sex addiction. Through personal experiences and straight talk, Andrew P. fills the huge gap of understanding about addiction that is currently paralyzing so much of the Church. He explains why so many LDS men simply can't do what they know they ought to be doing and instead suffer in silence with their "little problem." It clearly explains why so many of us--like much of the rest of the world--can't live the life of integrity we so desperately want.
"Sitting in a Rowboat..." also introduces the Addiction Recovery Relationship to help LDS Church members quickly understand what addicts must do to get into true recovery. It explains how therapy is vital to overcoming the compulsions to act out. It talks about what makes a 12 Step group effective and what can suck the life out of it. Most importantly, however, "Sitting in a Rowboat..." sends out that message of hope to the world that complete recovery from sex and pornography addiction is possible and wonderful! It is within our grasp if we become willing to do whatever it takes. "Sitting in a Rowboat..." tells us exactly what it takes.
Once we come to an understanding of the true nature of the enemy we face, we can fight it. We can stop wringing our hands. As a people, we can stand up with confidence and help those who now suffer in silence understand exactly what they need to do to stop the behavior that is killing them and their marriages.
Recovery is possible and it is wonderful!