Held Captive

We will be captive when we do not do what we know is right (Lamentations 1:3). In Lamentations, Jeremiah is talking about Judah literally being in captivity because they were wicked. 

Today, we can be held captive in other ways. For example, addiction is a form of captivity. I had to watch as my ex-husband fell more into captivity mentally as he sought for the next drink or cigarette. It was sad to see him hit rock bottom a few years after we divorced knowing who he had been prior to falling into his alcohol addiction. He still has not gone back to church, but he has gotten help. It has been good to see him make positive changes in his life.

We have been given the Word of Wisdom to help keep us away from this type of captivity. In Doctrine and Covenants 89,  we are told what we should and should not put into our bodies. It says we should stay away from tobacco, "hot drinks" (to be interpreted as tea and coffee), and alcohol. As we follow this directive, we are kept from the woes of addiction. 

If we fall into these traps, we can find a way out. The Church provides an addiction recovery program. This shows us that even when we fall into these traps, our Heavenly Father wants to help us get out of them.