Missionary Journal & Depression

[_beastie]

This is a topic that has been discussed before, and I don't have much new to add. Depression often entails feelings of guilt over being depressed, and I believe LDS teachings exacerbate that tendency. I've been cleaning out my basement this summer, and happened upon one of my missionary journals from the MTC. Therein, I found recorded, very succinctly, a summary of what I had been taught as a Mormon regarding depression:

The mighty change of heart is when you really realize who you are and the joy of knowing what you can become. If you're depressed, you're deceiving yourself somehow, covering a sin.

Note to believers: please do not derail this thread with a discussion of whether or not this is "doctrine" or some sort of official teaching. I do not care, and it doesn't make a whit of difference in regards to the impact of a teaching. This is what I was taught as LDS - there is something almost sinful about being depressed.

[_EAllusion]

Let's say, hypothetically, that a a mindset like this was pervasive in a culture. Do you think that would impact self-reports of happiness on a survey?

[_The Nehor]

I think it's a good teaching. While there are times to mourn and know sadness these should be very temporary. We are commanded to be of good cheer.

I've taught this several times in my Sunday School class. "If you're living your religion and you're not happy figure out what you're doing wrong and fix it. God will be glad to help with this process." I do usually add that feeling guilt over it is pointless. Look at it rationally and fix it and go on your way rejoicing is the tone of my advice.

While it may be caused it may be caused by sin many times it is a piddling sin like not asking God to give you happiness. The kind of sin that is easily rectified and requires no more repentance then just going to God and asking.

[_moksha]

If you're depressed, you're deceiving yourself somehow, covering a sin.

Sounds like the source author had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. That is
sad because someone might have taken this blather to heart.

[_Yoda]

I think it's a good teaching. While there are times to mourn and know sadness these should be very temporary. We are commanded to be of good cheer.

I've taught this several times in my Sunday School class. "If you're living your religion and you're not happy figure out what you're doing wrong and fix it. God will be glad to help with this process." I do usually add that feeling guilt over it is pointless. Look at it rationally and fix it and go on your way rejoicing is the tone of my advice.

While it may be caused it may be caused by sin many times it is a piddling sin like not asking God to give you happiness. The kind of sin that is easily rectified and requires no more repentance then just going to God and asking.

There is a difference, though, between whining about your life, and not taking action, and true, clinical depression. The Church has, in the past few years, begun to take baby steps to recognize these differences and talk about this a bit more; I'm hoping that this trend continues.

People in our society, at large, need to look at clinical depression as a true medical ailment. If you have a broken limb, if you have cancer, etc., people understand, and are, for the most part, empathetic. A mental illness is still more taboo. True, clinical depression can't just be "fixed" by someone cheering you up, or by you just "snapping out of it".

In order to keep clinical depression under control, the patient needs therapy, and, in many cases, medication. It IS a physical ailment. The patient does NOT have control over simply having the ailment. Does he/she need to do everything he/she can to get well? Of course! But this process is no different than prodding someone to do physical therapy, etc. There is no sin involved with this process. That is something that needs to be communicated to Church members, because I think that, as Beastie pointed out, this message gets lost.

[_mentalgymnast]

This is a topic that has been discussed before, and I don't have much new to add. Depression often entails feelings of guilt over being depressed, and I believe LDS teachings exacerbate that tendency. I've been cleaning out my basement this summer, and happened upon one of my missionary journals from the MTC. Therein, I found recorded, very succinctly, a summary of what I had been taught as a Mormon regarding depression:

The mighty change of heart is when you really realize who you are and the joy of knowing what you can become. If you're depressed, you're deceiving yourself somehow, covering a sin.

Note to believers: please do not derail this thread with a discussion of whether or not this is "doctrine" or some sort of official teaching. I do not care, and it doesn't make a whit of difference in regards to the impact of a teaching. This is what I was taught as LDS - there is something almost sinful about being depressed.

I think you are/were mistaken. Clinical depression proves it. Now the ball is in your court. You would have to prove that this "teaching" is doctrinal for your point to be made.

LDS teachings of ultimate perfection can lead one to feelings of inadequacy which can lead to depression if one is falling short. But I think this is typically a result of incomplete understanding of the doctrine of perfection and/or failing to look at perfection in the context of living in a fallen world and the potential effect of the mercies of Christ.

Depression isn't necessarily the result of unrepented sin. It can be though.

Regards,
MG

[_beastie]

I think it's a good teaching. While there are times to mourn and know sadness these should be very temporary. We are commanded to be of good cheer.

I've taught this several times in my Sunday School class. "If you're living your religion and you're not happy figure out what you're doing wrong and fix it. God will be glad to help with this process." I do usually add that feeling guilt over it is pointless. Look at it rationally and fix it and go on your way rejoicing is the tone of my advice.

While it may be caused it may be caused by sin many times it is a piddling sin like not asking God to give you happiness. The kind of sin that is easily rectified and requires no more repentance then just going to God and asking.

You are utterly clueless as to the dynamics of depression. Listen to liz.

But thanks for verifying that this is a common LDS teaching.

[_beastie]

Let's say, hypothetically, that a a mindset like this was pervasive in a culture. Do you think that would impact self-reports of happiness on a survey?

ABSOLUTELY! Being "happy" is almost a religious commandment for Mormons. You have the One True Gospel, while most people struggle in darkness - how DARE you feel sorry for yourself or down in the dumps??? To say nothing of the lost missionary opportunities. Mormons are supposed to be such shining, happy people that their neighbors are compelled to ask what IS it that makes them so special???

[_Yoda]

Let's say, hypothetically, that a a mindset like this was pervasive in a culture. Do you think that would impact self-reports of happiness on a survey?

ABSOLUTELY! Being "happy" is almost a religious commandment for Mormons. You have the One True Gospel, while most people struggle in darkness - how DARE you feel sorry for yourself or down in the dumps??? To say nothing of the lost missionary opportunities. Mormons are supposed to be such shining, happy people that their neighbors are compelled to ask what IS it that makes them so special???

If you read Marie Osmond's struggle with depression, it is truly heartbreaking. She masked it for a long time. I remember reading that she would "do what her mother taught her to do.....pull herself up from the closet floor, force herself to put some lipstick on, and smile." The poor woman was dying inside and needed help. Thank God she finally did go in for professional medical counseling.

[_mentalgymnast]

I think it's a good teaching. While there are times to mourn and know sadness these should be very temporary. We are commanded to be of good cheer.

I've taught this several times in my Sunday School class. "If you're living your religion and you're not happy figure out what you're doing wrong and fix it. God will be glad to help with this process." I do usually add that feeling guilt over it is pointless. Look at it rationally and fix it and go on your way rejoicing is the tone of my advice.

While it may be caused it may be caused by sin many times it is a piddling sin like not asking God to give you happiness. The kind of sin that is easily rectified and requires no more repentance then just going to God and asking.

You are utterly clueless as to the dynamics of depression. Listen to liz.

But thanks for verifying that this is a common LDS teaching.

Cultural dynamics coming in to play. Doctrinal teaching? I don't think so.

Again, clinical depression demonstrates that depression is not always the result of sin.

Can be though.

Regards,
MG