The evidence of repentance is transformation. Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. I wouldnt say that my sin is any lesser than anybody else thats why I ask, But because I just want to receive the kind of help with regards to what I did. These same principles apply within a marriage, and perhaps more so. I plan on going to my bishop to confess about it, but Im just wondering the time frame and everything. Basically, he has trained himself to think that the LDS church is not the foundation to build on. Andrew, If your sins are not too serious and do not require confession, then it is possible to repent and go on your mission without ever telling the specifics to your bishop or parents. Regardless of what happens with the mission, you will be more blessed and happy if you stay clean and pure before the Lord, so either way, thats what you are going to want to do. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God. This will bless you throughout your life and will help you become clean and worthy before God. Ive wanted to serve since I was little, but Ive procrastinated the day of my repentance so that is something Ill have to accept. Im 18 and its currently January, I hope to put my mission papers in April. Wluld you still have to talk to the bishop. But scence then everything has been pointing me to go. When we get up in the morning, we should examine ourselves to see whether the Spirit of God is with us. Brethren, prayerfully seek to understand what stands in the way of your repentance. But never forget Satan and that hes out to destroy you and so are his followers. It neutralizes our hurt feelings and makes room in our hearts for love to flourish and grow. Ultimately, your spiritual cleanliness and worthiness is between you and the Lord. Although I never really gained my own testimony of the gospel. We broke up, and I started dating another guy. The process of repentance may seem long at times, but I think you will look back at it as time well spent. Id be happy to quit because smoking weed does not bring me joy, but Im more concerned with the result of this sin. We know that men are free according to the flesh. That was a blessing that Elder Cook says will continue to benefit families . Just like when the Nephites went to battle against the Lamanites and prepared themselves with defensive armor, you must be prepared to defend yourself from Satans temptations each day. Also, consider talking to your mom about this situation. It is unlikely that you will be excommunicated, but what you have done is serious and all the steps of repentance that you will need to take will be determined by the Lord through the bishop he has called to preside over your ward. The advice and course of action the bishop will recommend may be very different if you feel attracted to men versus attracted to women. God bless. I believe the blessing of a clear conscience is part of the hope that comes when we completely repent, and complete repentance means to confess our sins (D&C 58:43) to God and to our priesthood leaders when they are very serious. Good luck and God bless. I had never had oral sex or intercourse with anyone until about 7 months ago when I met this girl who I dated for a while. The Lord said to early Church missionaries, And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. I am having an extremely difficult time overcoming this addiction that is in violation of the law of chastity. But whether you end up going on a mission or not, the most important thing is to get yourself worthy before the Lord. Throughout the years I have had sexual relationship with 2 people and I feel terrible. I am currently 19 years old (almost 20) and have decided I want to serve a mission. However, I feel very good with where I am at, and I want to worthy to serve a mission this next year. By so doing, we become better people and better spouses. We must maintain an unyielding, permanent resolve that we will never repeat the transgression. Heavenly Father and Jesus will always help us repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentanceof doing and being a little better each day. So there goes another broken law of chastity. He needs men of the covenant who keep their covenants with integrity. The scriptures teach that He has healing in his wings (see 2 Nephi 25: 13 and Malachi 4:2). I know the age limit is 25, but Ive read that it can be a year from the last time I broke the law of chastity. Is it concidered breaking the law of chastity and is it something that you need to confess to your bishop? Greda, Im sorry about the hard things you are going through right now. He has been called of God and will love and help and support you. Your family needs your leadership and love. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. (https://www.lds.org/liahona/2018/04/as-we-go-forward-together?lang=eng) Good luck and God bless. Continue reading the scriptures and the words of the living prophets daily, and continue to pray morning and night for the guidance of the Lord. Im a female and just recently turned 18. He needs men who are determined to keep themselves sexually pureworthy men who can be called upon at a moments notice to give blessings with pure hearts, clean minds, and willing hands. Perhaps, re-read section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants and then see how you feel. His Atonement not only allows us to repent of our sins; it also heals those who suffer and grieve. Good luck and may God bless and be with you always. We are not fully repentant if we do not pay tithes or keep the Sabbath day holy or obey the Word of Wisdom. We must first feel dirty inside if we are to seek God for cleansing. When I go to the MTC and confess, will they send me back home? I wish you well in your spiritual journey of life. Posted January 7, 2016. Many of these couples divorce. When I started learning how and it was in young womens I started freaking out and repenting. Good luck and God bless. True love is developed by those who are willing to readily admit personal mistakes and offenses.1. It makes sense to me, which is one of the reasons why I believe it. I have learned over the years that it sometimes takes several apologies before the sincerity of the apology is able to penetrate the wounded heart of an offended spouse. But there are a lot of factors involved, so the precise length of time is something that your bishop will decide. Thus, when Jesus asks you and me to repent,6 He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spiriteven the way we breathe. I feel as if I have to leave soon or else I will have missed the time. Have faith, be prayerful, immerse yourself in the scriptures and the word of God, and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Thus many, if not most, of the temptations he puts in our path cause us to abuse our bodies or the bodies of others. It was my decision either way but i wasnt thinking straight. It was by complete accident and it felt wrong at the time, but still I couldnt stop myself. You will need to draw power from your Savior, your family, and friends in order to overcome this. For example, if a person has been excommunicated and then rebaptized, he cannot serve as a bishop. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ,3 who stands with open arms,4 hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. I doubt he will delay your mission, but it is possible, and only your stake president can say for sure what will happen. If in prayer, you feel like you should tell your parents, then you better follow those spiritual promptings. I have asked repeatedly for help from the Lord and He does help me, but I not enough it feels like. God will forgive and forget, but the Church will not. Serious transgressions, such as violations of the law of chastity, may jeopardize a persons membership in the Church. The privilege of repenting is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. By repenting every day and having the Lord forgive our sins, we will experience the daily process of becoming perfect. Encourage Understanding and Application: Explain that because of Jesus Christ, when we do something wrong we can repent, which means we stop sinning and turn to God. Thank you Ive been looking for someone to talk to for a long time. Because of the intricacies of each individual case, this process can take a long time to complete. It sounds like this young mans advances were unwelcome and unwanted. I have an engineering degree, a very mathematical, logical science, and I have worked as an analyst, a very data-driven, logical profession, for most of my career. Engaging in fornication breaks one of God's most . Repentance is a life long process, so we should never stop repenting, leaving behind our mistakes, and coming unto Jesus Christ. I am also planning to go on a mission but this is holding me back. How long you will have to wait depends on the revelation received by your bishop as you work with him. For example, a thief should give back what he has stolen. That is between you and the Lord, primarily, and perhaps also with the Lords judge on earth, your bishop (D&C 107: 72) and stake president. May God bless and be with you. And Ive always lived worthily my entire life. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. I know it will be hard but with the Saviors help, you can overcome these things, and receive all the promised blessings from your Heavenly Father. The mission department should have nothing to do with it. Remember that God loves you, and that perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18). For example viewing pornography and having sexual intercourse with someone youre not married to are both violations of the law of chastity, but the sexual intercourse is a much more serious violation. Your new bishop will most likely call your old bishop to learn and understand your history. President Joseph Fielding Smith said of this: I have suffered pain, you have suffered pain, and sometimes it has been quite severe; but I cannot comprehend pain that would cause the blood, like sweat, to come out upon the body. Your bishop is the one who determines that. Good luck and God bless. The bishop of the ward where you are currently living has the keys of the priesthood to preside over you and he has been given the gift of discernment from God (see D&C 46:27). We must flee immediately from any compromising situation. Just curious. When Jesus was confronted with the woman taken in adultery, he seemed moved with compassion upon her. It seems that raising the bar means one has to repent differently than normal. Hey Jimmy, Im 16 and a half and I have a problem. But again, that is my opinion. He will use that against you. And it sounds like you have already talked to your bishop about the pornography problem, so that is good. Take an inventory of how you spend your time and where you devote your energy. Do these things and I know the Lord will bless and help you in miraculous ways. Usually, any waiting period imposed by your bishop or stake president will be from the time the last sin was committed. 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