In October of 1856 Mormon pioneers traveling to Utah in handcarts were trapped by early snowstorms in Wyoming. Rescue wagons were dispatched from Salt Lake City, but it would be two weeks before these wagons could reach the suffering handcart companies. Four express riders raced ahead, reaching the starving and exhausted pioneers before the rescue wagons. Though they carried no provisions, these brave men provided the distressed and weary travelers with much-needed hope that the supply-laden wagons were close at hand. Although over a century has passed since these pioneers were rescued from impending doom, another much larger trek takes place today, where many thousands of individuals are caught in life-threatening storms of addiction. Trapped and suffering, pornography addicts and their families are also in need. Like the express riders of 1856, S.A. Lifeline seeks to provide hope and encouragement to individuals and families who struggle with this destructive but easily hidden addiction. S.A. Lifeline directs addicts and their family members to supply-laden lifelines of help that are close at hand.
The S.A. Lifeline Foundation was begun in 2009, in response to a need for information and support about pornography addiction. The founders, Rhyll and Steven Croshaw, recognized a critical lack of information about this addiction and a plethora of misinformation about what is required to achieve recovery. The foundation work is focused on education – education about the spiritual, physical, emotional and social nature of pornography addiction, education about what others have done to recover from this addiction, and education about the support and recovery that loved ones of the addict need.
From its beginning, the foundation has been run by five volunteers: Steven Croshaw, Rhyll Croshaw, Kathy Whitaker, Craig Israelsen and Ann Tolley. The foundation is supported by a Board of Directors and generous donors and volunteers. Through their efforts, and the efforts of other volunteers who have been recruited for specific tasks, the foundation was granted 501(c) 3 status, created a dynamic website, hosted community meetings, published pamphlets, participated in conventions, and created CD’s and DVD’s. In addition, the foundation provides meeting space for 10 12-step groups.
In 2011, through the efforts of a very impressive team of volunteers, the foundation has published Understanding Pornography and Sexual Addiction: a Resource for LDS Families and Leaders. Within three months of the first printing, this book became a top seller at Deseret Book and the first printing was sold out. This book is a practical guide on how to discuss pornography with children and teens, what are the truths and myths about pornography addiction and recovery, as well as handouts, articles and true stories.
The foundation is the sole distributor of this book, as well as the book written by Donald L. Hilton, Jr., MD, He Restoreth My Soul: Understanding and Breaking the Chemical and Spiritual Chains of Pornography Addiction Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In his book, Dr. Hilton, who is a neurosurgeon, explores the physical nature of pornography addiction by exploring the chemical changes that take place in the brain with pornography addiction as well as alcohol and drug addiction.