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Hello, my name is Alexander. Let me tell you a bit about myself. I grew up Christian, going from church to church but never finding one that fit. When I was 17 I abandoned Christianity entirely and investigated several religions, eventually becoming Baha'i. In the past year I have abandoned all religion, but now feel that I am being drawn back to Christ, though I'm not sure why. Most of the traditional Christian beliefs here in the Bible Belt are things I just can't accept. I cannot accept Original Sin, because I believe it requires accepting a literal interpretation of Genesis (which I find preposterous). I can't accept "sola scriptura", because I don't believe the Bible or any other holy book to be infallible. They've been around too long, and ancient copies of the Bible do not match up with the current versions. I feel that if there is Truth in the Bible, or in any other holy book, it is necessary that God, if he exists (which I am honestly not 100% sure about), would make it plain to you. That is, I think the real use of a holy book is for God to speak to you through it, to use it as a voice. I can't understand why I would need a savior, because I don't really feel like the way I live my life is wrong. And, again, if the need for a savior is based on Original Sin... Well, I just can't accept that doctrine. So, why exactly am I here, on a LDS forum? Because I want to understand. I keep feeling pulled back to Christ, despite all these disagreements with Christian beliefs, and I keep feeling pulled to the LDS church (even though I feel my lifestyle would be more acceptable to a more liberal church, like the Episcopal). I want to know why. And I'm hoping that by communicating with people here, maybe, just maybe, things can be made clear. I promise you that I will be respectful while I'm here, though if I disagree with someone I will make it clear that I do. Not because I want to start arguments, but because if I explain my disagreement maybe they can show me a fault in my thinking. I hope that I'll learn something while here, and maybe even be able to contribute to the conversations constructively.

There is a person in my life that is struggling with their sin. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that He suffered and died for all mankind. The Atonement was needed so that man could return back to our Heavenly Father. (2 Nephi 9:7) I know that we are free to act for ourselves, we have the choice; everlasting death or everlasting life. There are some sins that are truly personal. After reading the New Era Magazine, October 2013 article titled, "Why and What do I need to confess to my bishop?" https://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/10/why-and-what-do-i-need-to-confess-to-my-bishop?lang=eng I am having a hard time understanding the reason why the priesthood is needed in the repentance process. I understand what we must do as children of God. “…consists in believing and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen people. It consists of having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of repenting, of being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of keeping the commandments of God. It consists of believing in the gospel, joining the Church, and coming into the kingdom.” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 515). I was not raised in any church and converted 18 years ago. During that time I have not been very active from the fear of my lack of knowledge. Just in the past couple of months have I really started to understand. In praying about this situation I have been led here to seek help from other members that may have faced the struggle of repentance of a serious sin.