Anyone know where I can find this story?

[cassieh2]

I am looking for the full story on something I can only recall the gist of things. I don't know where I heard it, but it went like this: An elderly woman went into her bishop and finally confessed that on the night before her wedding in the temple many years ago, she and her fiance committed fornication. In her day, it took days for the guest to travel so instead of making changes, they just went on their way and got married in the temple anyway. They didn't tell anyone about what happened. The bishop goes on to tell her some things and I just can't recall what he said to her. Can anyone find this?

[Just_A_Guy]

It's talk given by Vaughn J. Featherstone, but I don't have the link available.

Incidentally, for those who (like me) have used that anecdote as an excuse to delay a visit to a bishop: sweeping something like that under the rug for fifty years is FAR easier said than done.

[pam]

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/10/forgive-them-i-pray-thee?lang=eng

[Wingnut]

I recall such a story as well, but I don't remember it actually coming from a GA. I seem to remember just hearing it somewhere, and it always sounded fishy to me. As I remember, the couple had had that one slip-up, and had been active, faithful members of the Church for the next 40 years, holding callings, serving, home and visit teaching, raising righteous children, etc. They were happy and had a peaceful, amicable marriage, but bore the guilt of that one night. The result was that the bishop told the couple that they didn't need to repent, because the guilt they'd carried all those years was enough to suffer already, and that they were forgiven.

[pam]

It's a true story. I provided a link to the actual talk.

[Wingnut]

I saw that after I posted. I guess the "fishy" part to me was that there was (apparently) no discussion of any discipline of such a grievous sin. I don't doubt (particularly now having read the story) that the couple was certainly remorseful. It just seemed odd that the bishop was like, "okay," and sent them on their merry way. I think I was a teenager when I heard it, and I only ever heard it that once, so maybe it's just colored by who I was at the time.

[cassieh2]

Thanks for the help!

[Guest]

I saw that after I posted. I guess the "fishy" part to me was that there was (apparently) no discussion of any discipline of such a grievous sin. I don't doubt (particularly now having read the story) that the couple was certainly remorseful. It just seemed odd that the bishop was like, "okay," and sent them on their merry way. I think I was a teenager when I heard it, and I only ever heard it that once, so maybe it's just colored by who I was at the time.

When the criminal was hanging on the cross with Christ, Christ turned to him and said all his sins are forgiven and he will be in paradise. There was no discussion of any discipline for his heinous acts.

This is because the change of heart that is the purpose of the repentance process has already been accomplished. There's no need to "punish" somebody who has already changed. Of course, the criminal is about to die so there was no chance to make amends for the wrong things he has done. On the same token, the elderly couple had already made amends for the wrong thing they have done and there was no one else to make amends to.

Edited March 20, 2014 by anatess

[Wingnut]

When the criminal was hanging on the cross with Christ, Christ turned to him and said all his sins are forgiven and he will be in paradise. There was no discussion of any discipline for his heinous acts.

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Nothing about sins being forgiven there.

This is because the change of heart that is the purpose of the repentance process has already been accomplished. There's no need to "punish" somebody who has already changed. Of course, the criminal is about to die so there was no chance to make amends for the wrong things he has done. On the same token, the elderly couple had already made amends for the wrong thing they have done and there was no one else to make amends to.

Like I said, it just struck me as odd, and that may just be because of how it impacted me as a young teenager.

[pam]

This is not something we really need to debate. The OP asked for a reference and has now received that.