Midwest LDS

God bless you Luke for wanting to make a righteous decision! Repentance can be difficult, and I'm proud of you for wanting to get right with God. A couple of points. First, you don't need to tell the executive secretary anything at all. When he asks why, just say something like personal reasons. I was an executive secretary once, and that's all we wanted to know to separate it from his other meetings (so the Bishop can have forms ready if it's for a temple recommend or welfare issue). Second, don't be worried about talking to him. You will not be the first teen to struggle with this issue and you won't be the last. He will not think any less of you. Quite the contrary, he will appreciate that you want to get yourself right with the Lord! Remember, forgiveness is swift when you try to follow the Lord's commandments, and you will feel instant relief. The Lord tells us in D and C 48:42 that when we repent the Lord remembers our sin no more. In addition, if you feel more comfortable bringing your father in to the bishop with you, you can absolutely do that. Finally, you may have to stop practicing the priesthood for a little while, but that's ok. You don't have to tell anyone why, and you will feel better following whatever your bishop tells you to do. Don't worry, many of us on this forum have struggled with similiar issues and are doing well now because we talked to our bishop and you will soon be doing well too! God be with you brother.

I think we are closer to each other then we think, although I will reiterate what I said in my post that I know we are not forgiven by the Bishop. When serious sins are committed, we find forgiveness going to the Bishop because we are following God's commands, therefore forgiveness comes from God. Regardless I have work in the morning, so I need to head off. Have a good evening☺.

Once again I am partially in agreement with you. At the end of the day, of course it is Jesus Christ who forgives us of sin. It is only by and through His Atonement that sin is wiped from our souls. But He has told us how to be forgiven of our worst sins, and it involves talking to our Bishop. We are forgiven, not because the Bishop has some power to forgive sin, but because Christ has told us to speak to our Bishop, and by talking to the Bishop we are following His commandment. As I've mentioned several times, I support the church's policies, and I am not judging those who won't speak to the Bishop now. Far from it, I'm worried about them because I have been there. Concern for my brothers and sisters spiritual pain is not judgement. I have been spared pain, suffering, and spiritual darkness by being open and honest with my priesthood leaders. I think, personally, that now many will choose to suffer out of embarrassment, rather then laying their burdens at the feet of the Lord. Plus, I have recieved spirtual power and strength from speaking to my Bishop, because the Lord expected me too and was blessing me for following His commandments. I know Bishops have no power on their own, but they do act with the power and authority of Jesus Christ when they use His priesthood and they do have power through Him.

I agree with some of what you are saying. We, as parents, definitely need to be more involved with, and aware of, the things going on in our children's lives. But I completely disagree with the notion that they can "just repent on their own." In the case of serious sin, that is just not true. The Lord gives us the pattern of repentance in Doctrine and Covenants 58:43 "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them." We have been told through modern revelation that in the case of serious sin we have to talk to our bishop, our common judge in Israel, in order to fully confess our sin. Frankly, I don't like the idea of essentially telling teens to wait until you are an adult before you have to worry about going to the bishop, because habits become entrenched. How much harder would it be to overcome an addiction to pornography and masturbation after hiding it and trying to fix it on your own for years before getting spirutual help? And that's just one of many examples. As I stated before, I don't disagree with the church's policy change. Unfortunately, due to the hellish world we live in, extra eyes may be required in many places we never thought we needed them before. But talking frankly about the sins we have committed is NOT child abuse. Frankness and openess are how we banish sin from our lives, and the minute we start telling our kids and ourselves to be vague, and hide the depths of our sin, we are preventing them from truly repenting and receiving the spirtual help we MUST have to change. Also, as an aside, I think we underestimate how many people feel more comfortable having less people, not more, involved in our repentance. I accept that there are some who want more people involved to feel comfortable, and I'm glad that is an option for them. I would never have, in a million years, talked to my bishop if my mom and dad were required to be in the room with me. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and filled with guilt over my actions and I was physically incapable of telling more people about my sins, even though I have good parents who now I know would have been supportive. I am sure there are many youth who are similar to the way I was and, while I accept this is just the world we live in now, it makes my heart break to think of how many people will now choose to suffer in their sins rather than being freed from them by not talking to the proper authorities. I hope I'm wrong, but it's something I'm worried about.

Agreed about the church, and I like your solutions epecially number 2. I believe that open and honest communication with our children, especially emphasizing that they can always talk to us about anything, is the best way to protect them in any situation church or otherwise. Sin thrives in darkness and light is still the best way to banish it as you pointed out.

The whole thing makes me sad. I can't begin to tell you how helpful my one on one sessions with my Bishop were when I was young. Honestly, if they had insisted I have another adult with me when I was a teen, I never would have confessed anything to him, I wouldn't have gone on a mission, and in all probability I would not be active today. I'm not saying the church shouldn't do anything, I support the policy changes that have been put in place to protect children, but I can't help but wonder how many other young men and women are like I was, who will now shun visiting the bishop out of embarrassment or fear, and whose souls we may lose. Truly this is a dark time we live in.

Thanks @SpiritDragon you're awesome!

Thank you @JohnsonJones I really appreciate your compliment.

I understand your frustration, as it can be especially difficult to talk to others about sin in a way that wouldn't be considered judging by some people. I wouldn't worry about general statements. If you say "God teaches adultery is wrong" and someone is offended by that and calls it judging, that's on them and probabbly shows that their life is falling out of harmony with the gospel. But, in a one on one setting, what about when you say to your ministering family "I noticed you guys are drinking coffee, that's against the Word of Wisdom and it's wrong"? That's a lot more likely to lead to accusations of judging in a negative context and it might be closer to the truth depending on how it's said and why. A personal hypothetical example if you will. I don't react well to someone walking up to me and telling me I'm wrong unless they are in a leadership position. Bishop Jones comes up and says "Midwest I heard you saying you like Game of Thrones. That show is pornographic and you shoud not watch it." I'll probabbly listen to him. Conversly Brother Jones comes up to me in the hallway, he overheard me saying the same thing, and tells me essentially the same thing but he never says more than hi to me outside of this conversation. I'd tell him to shut up and stay out of my business. I shouldn't react that strongly, and afterwards I may feel bad, but I do not react well to random people telling me how to run my life, even if they have good intentions. That would be a personal failing of mine, but it shows the dangers of calling out other people. Criticism I may accept from a leader, family member, or close friend would go in one ear and out the other from someone else. That's why personally, if I have a ministering family member or non close friend or acquaintance I'm worried about, someone I don't feel comfortable boldly calling out because I would react badly in the same situation, I try to either teach correct principles as Jospeh Smith taught, or if I'm really concerned I'll bring it up with the Bishop. I just feel like loudly calling out people we don't see very often can easily become counter productive to our goal of saving their souls.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ applies universally to all of mankind. This includes those born both before the time of Christ (Person A) and after the time of Christ (Person B). Its affect on both people is substantively the same. In the Book of Mormon it explains that the Atonement affects even those born before it occurred in Mosiah 3:13 "And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them."

I can't understand the outrage of some. The church has weighed in on gay marriage, gambling, and immigration issues and that's just recently (Joseph Smith was running for president when he was martyred). I find it amusing that people are more than happy to take the church's side when they agree with what's being said, but the minute the church takes a position they don't like they start quoting articles of faith and saying the church should mind it's own business. It's almost as if they forget who runs the church☺.

It sounds to me like after Zion is established. We definitely have a good education system in the church (Go Cougars!😉), but in order for us to be ahead of everyone else I really feel like civilization would have to be tottering. It will be, the time right before the Second Coming of Christ seems like it will consumed by anarchy, but I don't think we are there yet.

Congratulations on your victory! One that will no doubt be celebrated in song and story! Or perhaps I just don't feel like arguing with you over something you've made up your mind on. I see no contradictions between D an C 138 and Alma, as I explained in my last full post which you obviously did not read either. Seeing how continuing this discussion is literally leading us no where, I see no point in continuing. Have a most excellent day☺

Thanks for looking that up!

Uninterested in further discussion, have a lovely day!

I don't believe what I said is contradictory at all. I apologize if no offense was intended, I don't mind if we disagree, you just came off as condescending to me. I understand how the Spirit world works. I know that millions, if not billions, who have died will have the oppportunity to repent. Especially, those who have not heard the gospel. But, I've read the scriptures you posted (many times over the course of my life) and I don't see anything that indicates we should not repent now. We know the truth and while some salvation in a lower kingdom is possible for us if we refuse to change in this life, to me at least, no matter how glorious salvation is in the Terrestial and Telestial kingdoms, it pales in comparison to the darkness of losing exaltation. I don't know who will have that chance to still be exalted if they die and refuse to repent in this life, and who won't, only God can judge that, but I'm not taking chances with my exaltation. You can wait until you die to repent if you want too, I'm going too now.

Yeah, because of my studies this is one area where I really can't understand the opposing viewpoint.

Exactly, vaccines have saved more lives than just about any other medical advance in history.

I'm extremely pro-vaccine. As a history teacher, I could fill hundreds of threads discussing the horrors of life pre-vaccines (parents losing half or more of their children under the age of 10, permanent paralysis for kids who were just playing outside and caught polio, etc.) But I'm not sure why some are arguing that our children are absolutely going to break the law of chastity. I don't consider myself particularly special or worthy, but my wife and I managed to avoid sleeping with each other until our wedding day. I'm not necessarily opposed to the HPV vaccine, I'll do some more research when my daughter is older, but I fully expect her to be able to wait till her wedding night, just like my mom expected of me.

Somebody is feeling cranky today☺. I did not fundamentally misunderstand the scriptures as I am aware of the gospel teaching that goes on in the spirit world. But my statement is true for those who already know the gospel this day is the time for us to prepare to meet God. I'm always happy to discuss things but please don't talk to me in a disrespectful manner.

Pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, and green olives. But there are so many delicious pizzas, it's hard to choose just one. Truly a celestial food!

Yeah...but we didn't pay attention to their objections 170 years ago so why start now😃

What great news, I'm so happy to hear you guys are doing better!

There are many individuals from those groups who join our church. I actually met a former RLDS apostle on my mission who had joines us after a proohetic dream. He was teaching Sunday School at the time.

Before I tell you my advice, I want you to know something. Jesus Christ loves you brother. You are not the first man to break the Law of Chastity, and you can be forgiven of this sin. Hold onto that fact. Now, you know what you need to do. You know you can't go on your mission successfully if you don't make this right with God. How are you going to preach repentance to people, if you refuse to repent yourself? How are you going to feel the direction of the Holy Ghost, if you refuse to listen to His pleading now? God wants to forgive you, but He can't if you won't do what he requires of you. He tells us how we can be forgiven of even the worst sins in D and C 58:42-43: "42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them" Brother you cannot represent Christ if you don't believe His words. I'm not going to lie to you, you have a really hard choice coming up. You have to decide if your fear of men trumps your fear of God. You will suffer your entire mission if you don't fix this now. But I promise you something else. If you pick the hard choice, if you walk into your Bishop's office and tell him everything, as hard as it will be, you will also feel immediate relief. You may have to deal with some hard consequences, but you will feel relief and peace as you show faith in Jesus Christ and confess your sins. Remember David, and how he made his sin with Bathsheba 100 times worse by trying to cover it up. Don't follow his example! Talk to your Bishop, start on the road to repentance, and you will be cleansed by the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. I'm praying for you brother, you can do this!