For the fifth time since 1989, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is warning its members to stay clear of such personal empowerment programs. The governing First Presidency recently issued a statement saying the church does not endorse "commercial enterprises promising heightened self-esteem, improved family relationships, increased spirituality and the like."

The newest cautionary statement was read over the pulpit at all LDS congregations and reprinted in the weekly LDS Church News. It urged members to avoid any groups that:

Challenge religious and moral values or advocate unwarranted confrontation with a spouse or family members as a means of reaching one's potential;

Imitate sacred rites or ceremonies;

Foster physical contact among participants;

Meet late into the evening or in the early-morning hours;

Encourage open confession or disclosure of personal information normally discussed only in confidential settings;

Cause a husband and wife to be paired with other parties.

[b:91287785ee]IF YOU, ANY FAMILY MEMBERS, OR FIRENDS ARE CONSIDERING TO ATTEND IMPACT TRAININGS, SEEK THE IMMEDIATE ADVISE OF A PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST, CLERGYMAN, OR LICENSED CLINICIAN BEFORE DOING SO!![/b:91287785ee]

[b:91287785ee]WARNING:[/b:91287785ee]
While promoters of these programs provide testimonial evidence of their program successes, few if any of these programs have attempted to test their processes in order to substantiate claims that might establish a degree of effectiveness to their methods. Few if any have established criteria for what counts as a success, and few if any keep records or report

Those attending the seminars or training have reported that part of the process is a "tearing down" of the individual which includes being subjected to verbal abuse, insults, ridicule or humiliation. The Better Business Bureau has been presented with complaints from participants indicating that they experienced psychological disturbances or episodes as a side-effect of the training. Studies done by mental health professionals have also identified this possible side effect of the training.

Because these seminars are presented as education, trainers and presenters are not required to be licensed as mental health professionals in many states, inluding Utah. However the focus of the training is clearly behavioral, psychological and personal relationships.

We advise consumers to obtain references from skilled, trained mental health professionals regarding the benefits, efficacy, and possible side effects of such training prior to making their own decision to purchase the training, or participate.

[b:91287785ee]IF YOU, ANY FAMILY MEMBERS, OR FIRENDS ARE CONSIDERING TO ATTEND IMPACT TRAININGS, SEEK THE IMMEDIATE ADVISE OF A PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST, CLERGYMAN, OR LICENSED CLINICIAN BEFORE DOING SO!![/b:91287785ee]

Racer...

Why are you posting this? This is just a regurgitation of the statement made by the LDS church in 2001 - that's over five years ago.

Posting it like you have indicates that a recent statement has been made. You are deceiving people by posting like you have, and as we all know, deception is not what we want... we'll leave that to Hans & company. :wink:

This is also referenced on the Rick Ross site:

[www.culteducation.com]

I don't think this is deception. The LDS church routinely releases the original statement, with a few tweaks here and there, every year or so. It's always a storm in the training room when it happens, let me assure you. Those rebellious Mormons! :D I'm sure it’s just to keep awareness up. It is their current stance on the trainings, whether the document has changed or not. Formerimpactgrad referenced it in an earlier post on the original Impact Trainings thread, and I referenced it again in the new Religion focused thread. If you could get a copy of the official warning and post it verbatim, that would be effective RaCeR---X.