Repentance

[Joette]

That's the beauty of the Gospel it's eternal.Things that we think are denied to us in this life may be offered to us in the Eternities.

This is dependant on our obedience & desires of her heart.After all if somebody would love to have children but through no fault-eg doesn't marry or can't concieve why should they be denied it for ever? No that would neither be fair or just.

You can be your own family- it doesn't always mean the traditional view!

[RachelleDrew]

I understand what wanderer is getting at. I'll be getting baptized sometime soon too, and i'm dreading that first meeting with the bishop. Just because I don't know what will be asked and how much i'll be expected to reveal.

I don't have a problem with discussing my past transgressions, I think the only way to keep them from happening again is making my past known.

It's just that there are a LOT of problems. Even if I just stuck to the serious stuff it would take hours to wade through it all. I'm also worried that the bishop will hear about it and say "you need a little more time before you can be baptized" or even just be more apt tto scrutinize me and my behaviors in the future BECAUSE of my past.

I know that anyone who is joining the church is very anxious to begin their new life in the church and we don't want anything to mess that up for us. So I know how it feels.

I think one thing we gotta keep in mind is that during any meetings you may have with church officials, the spirit will be present. God will give you some cues anytime you need help deciding what to say I think If you feel it pertinent to express something then that's the spirit guiding you, don't ignore it!

Also, I came to the conclusion that some of the things that are in my "past" aren't always history. I've dealt with substance addiction all my life, and even though i've been completely clean for well over a year, this is something that could easily rear it's ugly head again. So it's REALLY important that anyone I would use as accountability (say a bishop for example) needs to know about it so they can know how to help me STAY clean and when to step in if it becomes a problem again. Make sense?

From what i've heard, these men have heard it all. Don't be embarrased to be open if the spirit leads you to say something.

[scott1971]

I've dealt with substance addiction all my life, and even though i've been completely clean for well over a year, this is something that could easily rear it's ugly head again.

Congrats!

[WillowTheWhisp]

I'm also worried that the bishop will hear about it and say "you need a little more time before you can be baptized" or even just be more apt tto scrutinize me and my behaviors in the future BECAUSE of my past.

.

I didn't think a Bishop could do that. When my late husband was WML if the Bishop met with someone before Baptism it was only on a sociable getting to know you sort of level, not an interrogation to see if they were worthy. The Baptism interview was always conducted by a missionary.

[RachelleDrew]

I didn't think a Bishop could do that. When my late husband was WML if the Bishop met with someone before Baptism it was only on a sociable getting to know you sort of level, not an interrogation to see if they were worthy. The Baptism interview was always conducted by a missionary.

And I realize that now, but before somebody explains to you what the meeting is about, you have a tendency to go "oh crap, am I gonna be in trouble?"

It's kinda like getting called to the principal's office when in primary school, you get nervous until you get there and realize your mom just dropped off your forgotten homework or something. Lol.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Well the great thing about baptism is that it washes away all past transgressions and gives you a whole new start. That's an amazing thing. The Saviour takes upon himself the responsibility for everything you may have done wrong so that you no longer have to worry about it - and nor should anyone else.

[cgrantreed]

Wanderer,

I hate to sound ignorant as I am relatively new to the boards. I am assuming you are asking from the standpoint of someone that is relatively new to the church? and has been baptized already? and it happened PRIOR to the baptism?

The basic answer in that context is that your baptism cleaned the slate for your transgressions. You should have confessed this sin in the interview prior to the baptism but I know that this stuff doesn't always come out like that. I don't know that you have to "readmit" this to anyone. It all boils down to why you are feeling vexed by it now. Because it was a transgression prior to your baptism it does not hold the weight it would if it happened after your baptism. If it was a relationship with another person and you were not married at the time its probably ok and the baptism took care of it. If you were married while in this relationship, thats adultry and its a different story but it can be overcome by a meeting with the Bishop and its probably just admitting to it as part of your past that has resurfaced with time.

You were baptized, cleansing you of your sins. They are gone as long as you don't transgress again. That is the whole purpose of this ordinance. Hit your knees and pray for confirmation of why you are feeling bugged by it again. Let Heavenly Father tell you what to do.

Every sin ever committed will eventually surface in your mind at some time or other. I firmly believe that this is a subtle reminder of your past so that you remember not to commit it again. A little re-warmed pain does wonders for keeping you on the straight and narrow. If you have truly cast it off, just accept it as a reminder that you don't want to go there again.

NEVER fear repentance in the future. The Atonement is so important. I know that the fear of admitting that something went wrong is hard. You have to admit it though to be released from the pain that its causing you though. The past is the past and thats where you want it to stay so let go of it for good and admit it and it will be gone. I can tell you from a lot of past experience that its better to let it go once its committed than to let it sit and fester and Satan to have something to destroy you with.

[WANDERER]

Rachelle yep, extreme panic mode. Red alert.

Sometimes being assisted to avoid committing past transgressions might be mildly teeth grinding, like getting driving instructions from your parents when you've held a car licence for years. But I expect discernment goes with the territory. In retrospect, having a conversation about stuff might help to avoid any misunderstandings on the topic that have a tendency to go with being single anyway.

Unfortuneately I did click on a few blogs where some ex-Mormons were discussing being called up in front of some church council for something or other that they said and because I don't have any real understanding or a perspective on that, my imagination has probably taken an extreme situation and coloured it in a little on what an interview involves.

[inthearmsofsleep]

WANDERER,

At the time that these things happened, did you know it was wrong? If not, since you've learned of its severity have you stopped? I think that's really what matters. We can't sin if we don't have the law first. In the baptism process, you will make a promise to God to keep His commandments, and start off with a clean slate. Bishops deal with a LOT of people's problems. They deal with embarassing issues of any magnitude, and I'm sure you couldn't tell him anything he hasn't already heard. One major tactic that satan uses against us is fear. Perfect love will cast out that fear, and that love will come when you realize the importance of your eternal state before God and the unending love that he has for you. It is a Bishop's calling to listen and to help. Do whatever you can to get over the embarassment and fear, and the world will be lifted off of your shoulders.

When you go in for the baptism interview, it'll just be you and him. Whatever you tell him is confidential. I'm sure it would bring great joy to your bishop to hear that you've turned away from the bad things of this world and made a choice to do what's right. The past is past... just look at it like "this is who I was, and this is who I am." I think that distinction would help you get over some of the fear. I'm speaking from the standpoint of someone who had an ugly past, and overcame it... and the first step was seeing my Bishop. :)