Help with Confessing Sins?

[blondiecutie1818]

I'm pretty sure that i need to confess my sins to my bishop but i'm not sure. I've had some trouble with masturbation and pornography. Not much on the pornography just occasionally getting on bad websites not like addicted or anything and i haven't done that for months now and i've recently stopped masturbating. I feel like i need to talk to my bishop about them but i don't know how in detail i will have to go about these? Also i'm wondering what will happen like probation wise and stuff? am i going to be on that? no sacrament, offering prayers, or callings? and will i have to wait a year before i can go to the temple? I haven't been to the temple in over a year already because i have felt unworthy but i really want to go especially in a month when my sister gets home from her mission! also i want to start preparing to go on a mission myself in two years! I'm trying to get back on the right track!! but i'm SO scared! Please help answer my questions! Thanks! :)

[Gwen]

i think the common consensus advise you will get is

1 when in doubt talk to the bishop

2 don't be more worried about the consequences than you are being right with the lord. whatever happens it's worth it. every situation is different so we can't predict what the outcome will be.

3 going on a mission is a great desire. you should also talk to your bishop about that, he will love to help you get your life on track to accomplish that goal.

there is a lot of great advise on the forum from others that have been in similar situations, try the advanced search if you need something to do till you get more responses here.

[Backroads]

Having been in a very similar situation, talk to the bishop. I did this after I stopped, and even then mine was able to give me some great advice and be able to check up with me. As for the temple... I don't know. The temple wasn't a concern at the time with me. I've heard it said that masturbation isn't quite on the same level as other sexual sins, but it can lead to other things and even in itself is not quite for which sexual feelings were intended.

*tries to remember*

I didn't take the sacrament for a couple of weeks. That was it.

But please, talk to the bishop. He can be your ally. Masturbation is an easy thing to slip back into, so you want someone who can help you.