Yulia's Amazing Presidency Lesson

Why should we talk about sensitive things like abuse?
-Sometimes when it happens it gets brushed aside and ignored and never taken care of. It can make people carry a burden that affects them and others for many years.
-It can heal you and help you to be able to get help.
-All of us know people that are affected by abuse whether we know it or not so it can help us know how to help them and reach out to them.
-When we don’t acknowledge it, it can make people feel out of place and wonder if something is wrong with them.
-When you don’t talk about it when it happens to you are not allowed to grieve and be healed.
-You need to know the enemy to conquer the enemy.
What is abuse?
-There is emotional, physical, verbal, and sexual abuse.
-Verbal and emotional abuse are the most common and least recognized.
-Treating someone like they are not the child of God that they are.
-Usually it’s an act of power over someone.
What does the church say about abuse?
-It is completely inconsistent with Heavenly Father’s plan.
-A person who abuses someone will be disciplined by the church and in the end will have to face God with it if they don’t repent.
Why does abuse happen?
-It’s a recurring thing that can be passed down from generation to generation.
-When children see it when they’re little it becomes a pattern in their lives.
-Anger- people who haven’t learned to control their tempers.
-They misunderstand their leadership position.
-The source of it all is Satan. He does everything he can to keep us from Heavenly Father.
How can you heal from abuse?
-Get out of the situation.
-Talk to the bishop about it.
-Go to a counselor (at BYU you can talk to someone for free or LDS family services can be very helpful)
-Use the atonement to be healed. The Savior is the ultimate source of healing. He can help you move from being a victim to becoming a survivor.

Here are the articles that Yulia used as sources for her lesson. Click on the names to access them:

• Elder Scott "To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse" May 2008 Ensign

• "A Conversation on Spouse Abuse" Oct 1999 Ensign

• Elder Scott "Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse" May 1992 Ensign