"Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil,
with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."  (Alma 37:33)

Traditional Guidelines for individual Participation in 12 step meetings

Often, when we are new to a 12 step program (and sometimes even when we are more experienced members) we will either not be aware of or forget some basic suggestions that assure the success of our meetings.

ANONYMITY is absolutely vital to the survival of a group. This concept should constantly remind us that we are not in these meeting to learn "juicy" information or facts about others. There must be absolutely no gossip in this fellowship. We come together to help bear one another's burdens, not to increase them by judgment and backbiting.

Often in sharing we feel a need to express the hurt and fears we keep inside, to free ourselves from the blame and shame that are often carryovers from the past. Anonymity gives us the freedom to do that.

CROSSTALK/SIDETALK is discouraged in Heart t' Heart meetings. This means we neither interrupt nor engage in dialogue with another speaker. 12 step meetings are not designed to be encounter groups or advice giving sessions of any sort. Commenting or giving advice discourages the individual's own ability to hear the Truth as spoken to their hearts directly by the spirit (2 Nephi. 32:3).

SEVENTH TRADITION COLLECTIONS are the sole support of Heart t' Heart groups. Traditionally an envelope is passed at every meeting inviting but not requiring donations. Donations are not collected during meetings in LDS meetinghouses.

PRAYER IN MEETINGS has been a tradition since the beginning of A.A. 12 step meetings generally open with the "Serenity Prayer" and close with the "Lord's Prayer". These prayers were chosen because of their acceptability to the general public. However, in Heart t' Heart, we are free to open and close our meetings in the manner that we are familiar with - personal, spontaneous prayer guided by the spirit.