Depression and anxiety can be extremely difficult, even anguishing, for all involved. These afflictions decrease the amount of joy a person experiences in their life. While there is much help available to those who struggle, lasting peace and relief can be found through the power and priesthood of Jesus Christ. But in order for this to fully take place, some foundational knowledge is necessary.

In the Book of Mormon Nephi records that he saw “multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits. . . And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.“ (1Nephi 11:31)

There is a distinction between devils and unclean spirits made for a reason—they are not the same thing. A devil is a member of the third part of the hosts of Heaven cast down to earth who are bodiless. An unclean spirit is the disembodied spirit of a wicked man or woman who has died. These unclean spirits still possesses all the same tendencies, thought patterns, desires, and addictions they had while in the flesh; yet now without a body they have no way to satisfy those desires.

Thus they seek to possess or attach to the physical bodies of those who are living in order to take part in the experiences and sensations of the flesh. Devils also have an astounding desire to possess the bodies of the children of men, for they have never had one.

Devils and unclean spirits can tempt, torment, afflict, project thoughts and emotions, distract, depress, throw people into fits, trouble them with nightmares; they can cause panic and anxiety attacks, sickness and disease, mental illness, homosexuality, etc. Spiritual entities can imbalance hormones, and disrupt the processes of bodily systems, organs, and glands. If permitted, they can even cause death. Thoughts of suicide are a sure sign that someone is possessed of evil spirits and entities. No child of God would ever naturally think and feel about themselves that way.

When a devil or unclean spirit is attached to a person their emotions, desires, and thoughts are felt by their victims as if they’re their own. They begin to have a very profound influence on how the person feels inside, and what they think. Consider how it would affect someone to be attached to by spirits who were depressed or worried. Sometimes their influence is subtle, other times it is outright obvious. Devils and unclean spirits can afflict everyone, and it in no way demeans someone’s worth to recognize or find out they are afflicted.

Large amounts of resources are used to treat depression and anxiety from counseling to medication and on. While these may help in part, often people go from medication to medication or from counselor to counselor without truly healing; or when they do take medication they do not feel like themselves.

I do not believe the root of the problem has been solved and that is because the depression and anxiety is coming from an affliction by devils and unclean spirits. When the devils and unclean spirits are cast out the depression and anxiety will be relieved. Continual mental and emotional work guided by the Lord coupled with a change in behavior and mental habits can prevent the affliction from returning.

The apostle Paul acknowledged the reality of spiritual evil: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

Joseph Smith taught that “one great evil is that men are ignorant of the nature of [evil] spirits; their power, laws, government, and intelligence. . . And it is very evident that they [devils and unclean spirits] possess a power that none but those who have the priesthood can control.” (Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842, p. 744-745)

The message here is one of hope and relief. If you or a loved one are suffering from this affliction, you can overcome it through the atonement, power, and priesthood of Jesus Christ. I myself have overcome depression this way and am in no way plagued by this anymore. You do not have to suffer, you can be freed.

Suggestion if you are currently afflicted or have someone you care about that is:

Find a worthy Melchizedek priesthood holder and ask them to give you a blessing and cast out all the devils unclean spirits that are afflicting you or your loved one. It will need to be someone who has a soft heart, an open mind, and priesthood power flowing within them. Invite them to anoint with olive oil that has been consecrated for the healing of the sick and delivering of the afflicted and then speak these words in the blessing:

“In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood I rebuke any devils, demons, evil or unclean spirits, sexually immoral or abusive spirits, observers, watchers, tormentors, ancestral or familial spirits, and any entities of any kind; as well as any other devil, unclean spirit, or entity of any kind that has not been directly named or identified but is working for the adversary in any way or is evil, dark, or has wicked intent that is afflicting _ (insert name of person receiving blessing) in any way. I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to be bound with cords of light and I cast you out to spirit prison and send you away never to return again throughout all eternity. I command you to refrain from transferring to any friend, neighbor, or acquaintance, and command you to destroy all records kept concerning ____ (insert name of person receiving blessing) including central records that Satan has ever kept. I wipe your memories clean through the light of Christ and say unto you, depart. I also destroy and negate through the light of Christ any dark portals, shunts, marks, or entrances of any kind these entities were using, as well as any record keeping devices, spells, viruses, connections, cords, contracts. I clear any false patterns or thought processes and invite new neuropathways to form through the light of Christ. I bless you (insert name of person receiving blessing) in the name of Jesus Christ to be healed physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally of any effects from these afflictions and dispel any leftover energy or emotions from them.” [Then give a blessing as the spirit directs]

This outline or suggestion does not need to be followed exactly, however, using it as a general pattern has brought me great success in my own priesthood ministrations.

I also readily acknowledge that depression and mental illness can be passed on from parent to child through genetic DNA patterns. However, these too can be healed through faith in the power and priesthood of Jesus Christ. I have witnessed it, and experienced it, and testify that is true.
Suggested words to speak in a blessing to clear DNA patterns:

“In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood I bless you _ (insert name) to be freed from any false patterns in your DNA regarding or related to _ (insert depression or anxiety or name of mental illness). I bless that the light of Christ will flow into you in great abundance clearing and cleansing any of these patterns and replacing them with true patterns and codes of divine love and peace. In the name of Jesus Christ I bless that this healing of this DNA will be sent back up through your ancestral line that their DNA might be cleared and cleansed that they may take part in this healing; and I send it forward to your posterity that they will not suffer from these afflictions either, but might experience healing through Jesus Christ.”

Similar to the other suggestion, this is just an outline and does not need to be followed exactly but is meant to be helpful. I have seen great success doing this in my priesthood ministrations to others, and in receiving blessings like this myself. God bless you!