How can I confess?

[Tonerdodrukarki]

Hi everyone, it's my first post here. And sorry for any mistakes, I don't use english very often :) ok, so I need help because I don't know what to do. Ok so im a girl and I have some problems with watching pornography and masturbating. I have a lot of problems because of that. With my faith. I feel horrible and so guilty all the time. I stop pray and reading scriptures. And I know that there is one thing which can help me - repentance. And I understand that. But First I need to confess my sins to my branch President. In my country we don't have bishops. And mission President would be in my city maybe on november. So i can talk just with my branch President, because I need to help now. But he is a missionary and in my age, so it's too embarrased for me to talk with him. I know that I can trust him, but how can I talk about masturbation and pornography with a missionary?

[Dark_Jedi]

You don't necessarily have to talk to your branch president to repent or confess. Repentance in the LDS church is mostly between the person and God, the branch president only needs to be involved if it's quite serious or if you feel you need his help repenting.

[Tonerdodrukarki]

That kind of sins need a confess, I think. And it's affected my life so it's serious. So i need to talk to him but i don't know how can i do that

[estradling75]

If there is doubt on if you need to confess then the safe path is to do so.

Your situation is not ideal.

Some people find writing their confession in a letter helps them deal with the nervousness, and fear of embarrassment. Then all they have to do is make an appointment and let the leader read the letter and then take it from there.

Not sure if that helps you all that much.

[pam]

You don't necessarily have to talk to your branch president to repent or confess. Repentance in the LDS church is mostly between the person and God, the branch president only needs to be involved if it's quite serious or if you feel you need his help repenting.

Uhhh yes she does. Any sins of a sexual nature must be confessed to the proper Priesthood authority.

[lagarthaaz]

I'm not sure if it's allowable, but could you call your mission president and request a phone interview if the matter is urgent?

You need spiritual guidance from a mature priesthood leader - hopefully your mission president can take care of serious interviews of this nature?

[Dark_Jedi]

Uhhh yes she does. Any sins of a sexual nature must be confessed to the proper Priesthood authority.

That's a new one on me, (not sexual sin per se, but masturbation specifically) but I'll take your word for it. I would expect to see a line of young men at the bishop's door every Sunday.

[NeuroTypical]

Here is the relevant chapter from the Gospel Principles Handbook.

Chapter 19: Repentance

We Must Confess Our Sins

Confessing our sins is very important. The Lord has commanded us to confess our sins. Confession relieves a heavy burden from the sinner. The Lord has promised, “I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts” (D&C 61:2).

We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition, we must confess serious sins—such as adultery, fornication, homosexual relations, spouse or child abuse, and the sale or use of illegal drugs—which might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority. If we have sinned against another person, we should confess to the person we have injured. Some less serious sins involve no one but ourselves and the Lord. These may be confessed privately to the Lord.

[Roseslipper]

First thing is to stop watching porn. Get your mind on other things. GOdly things and try to stop this action. If you stop and start again, then try again, dont give up on yourself. Pray to Heavenly Father for His help. You might want to get a Priesthood Blessing. A branch Pres. is the same thing as a bishop go speak with him. He's there to help you.

[Lakumi]

what are Godly things?

[lagarthaaz]

what are Godly things?

Not watching pornography is probably a good start.

[Roseslipper]

what are Godly things?

Spiritual things, things thats will uplift you.:)

[beefche]

A branch Pres. is the same thing as a bishop go speak with him. He's there to help you.

The branch president is a missionary and unable/without authority to listen to confessions. Missionaries who serve as branch presidents are to refer any such confessions or other counsel (such as marriage advice) to the mission president.

I would recommend that you have a sincere prayer and outline ways you are going to overcome these issues now. Talk with God just as if He is a friend. Make a list if you need to of how to divert your attention, keep yourself busy, specific goals, etc. As was said before, if you mess up, don't beat yourself up. Just begin again. Make it a practice to prayer and read/study scriptures every day. Begin to live a righteous life now. When the mission president is in town, then you can confess to him and receive counsel. You can then let him know what you have done to overcome these temptations.

I was not able to get baptized for 10 years and I lived the Gospel the best I knew how during that time. I think it is the same idea. Live the Gospel now, the best you can, and confess to the mission president when he is there. Also, when you see him, ask him what to do if in the future you need to confess/talk to him.

[Roseslipper]

I never heard of a missionary acting as a branch pres. before. I've only heard of branch pres acting asa bishop like in a branch instead of a ward.

[Lakumi]

Spiritual things, things thats will uplift you.:)

you're gonna have to be more specific really

[beefche]

I never heard of a missionary acting as a branch pres. before. I've only heard of branch pres acting asa bishop like in a branch instead of a ward.

It's done alot in countries where the Church isn't strong. On my mission, we served as Branch presidents, SS presidents, Primary president, stake callings, etc. What we found that was after about 3 years of the Church being in the country, we had strong enough members (priesthood holders) to begin serving in these callings.

[mnn727]

Some missionaries are Branch Presidents, but not all Branch Presidents are (FT) missionaries.

[Tonerdodrukarki]

Ok. Thank you for all answers. But I don't know what to do anyway your opinions are very opposite. I talked to my branch President yesterday because he asked me about that. And i don't why, but he want to talk about my problems in church etc and he asked: do you have a problem with law of chastity? (!) i was schocked, but I said yes. But then i couldnt said anything more because it was too embarrased for me. So he said that he is there to help members as branch pres. And we talked about authority and read about repentance and the law of chastity from the strengthen of youth. And he can't be in room with just a girl so another missionary was there too he heard everything so how could I open ?

[yjacket]

Ok. Thank you for all answers. But I don't know what to do anyway your opinions are very opposite. I talked to my branch President yesterday because he asked me about that. And i don't why, but he want to talk about my problems in church etc and he asked: do you have a problem with law of chastity? (!) i was schocked, but I said yes. But then i couldnt said anything more because it was too embarrased for me. So he said that he is there to help members as branch pres. And we talked about authority and read about repentance and the law of chastity from the strengthen of youth. And he can't be in room with just a girl so another missionary was there too he heard everything so how could I open ?

I had the opportunity to serve as a BP as a missionary and I had a young woman who came to me with law of chastity issues. Unfortunately (or fortunately-depending on your perspective), a missionary (even a missionary called as a BP) has absolutely no authority to resolve law of chastity issues with members of the church.

Basically, if you tell him you have law of chastity issues, he is supposed to tell you that he cannot resolve this issue, there is a path to repentance through the Atonement, but in order for you to resolve this issue you must talk to the District President, if you do not have a District President then you will need to talk to the Mission President.

The District President and/or the Mission President will be able to talk with you in complete confidentiality (no one else will be present except you and the District or Mission President). You will then be able to fully explain the problem you are facing and the President will be able to help you determine the appropriate path to overcome this challenge. Repentance, as someone mentioned earlier is only between you and the Lord, the Mission/District President's role is to be a "judge in Israel", to help you repent, to help you understand the process and the steps needed to overcome the challenges you face.

Sometimes, if the sin is grievous enough, the "judge in Israel" might proscribe restrictions on what you might be able to do in the church, like not partaking of the sacrament. These restrictions are not necessarily a punishment, but a way to help the sinner to repent. Sometimes the "judge" will proscribe no restrictions but will counsel and guide you in the steps to take. Do not be afraid of going to the "judge in Israel", his role is to help you, not to condemn you, but to lift you up.

If you live in an area where it is difficult to visit (through long distances, etc) the Mission or District President, then give them a call. Tell them you are having issues and that you would like to visit with them but that it might be a while before you are able to talk. Even over the phone, they will be able to help you.

The most important thing is for you to get right with the Lord and with yourself; do whatever necessary to make that happen.

[Beaubracken]

Hey everyone!!

I'm doing this cause I absolutely have no one else to talk to!! I just got home from a mission about 6 months ago! I was so excited and happy for the wonderful mission I had served and to be back and start a wonderful life! Instantly I started to have serious problems with anxiety and depression!! So bad I was almost hospitalized!! It crippled me!! During this time I got a girlfriend who is amazing! She is a member of the church! She had some struggles in the passed and was married but got a divorce and has a child!! So she had already been sexually active. As we started dating everything was fine but my anxiety got worse and worse!! And with that the only thing that brought me joy was being with my girlfriend so we got very close and in an effort to feel some happiness cause I was having such a horrible time I messed up with the law of chastity!! So we started to do everything but intercourse! And now as time has gone on my anxiety and depression has died down but I still mess up once in a wile pretty bad with this girl and I feel horrible! I beat myself up every day and I don't take the sacrament on Sundays and I feel like the worst person in the world!! My dad asked me to give my little sister a blessing and I couldn't cause I knew I wasn't worthy to do it!! I hate myself for it! But it was the only thing that brought me spite joy when I was in hell! My anxiety was so bad I couldn't even pray!! Now I am scared to talk to a bishop and I'm wondering if I just stop and repent and help my girlfriend too that we can be happy and just forget about it!! Please help if you have any suggestions! :) thanks