D&C 19 Follow Up10 Questions about Repentance

Process of Repentance

RecognizeRemorse

Guilt Godly Sorrow

Confess God Bishop Those involved

RestitutionForsakeForgive others

Is it a checklist?

Repentance is….

Repentance is not…

THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

10 Questions about Repentance

“The Lord has declared that the bishop is a common judge in Israel (see D&C 107:72, 74). He has the responsibility to determine the worthiness of the members of his ward. By ordination and righteous living, the bishop is entitled to revelation from the Holy Ghost regarding the members of his ward, including you.

“Your bishop will counsel you on what to do to strengthen your ability to resist temptation. He may encourage you to study a doctrinal topic, such as repentance, and then to share with him what you have learned. He may ask you to visit with him each week to report how you are doing in removing yourself from tempting situations.”

Why do I need to see a Bishop after I commit a ‘big’ sin? Why can’t I talk to my parents?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

The short answer: ‘Your conscience will tell you.’ When you feel the sting of conscience, act immediately” (see Alma 34:31–34).

How can I tell if I need to talk to the Bishop?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

“Don’t try to excuse yourself or rationalize your way out. You may be thinking, “It would be too embarrassing to tell the bishop what I have done. He thinks I am a better person than that. He will be shocked if I tell him what I did.”

“When you confess and forsake your sins, the Lord will forgive you. You will not have to account to Him for those sins when the time comes for you to be judged.”

What if I am too embarrassed to see my Bishop?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

“Sometimes a person will stop doing wrong but never confess. As a consequence, the person continues to carry the burden of sin alone, instead of letting the Savior take away the burden. “If you have feelings of guilt but are not sure if you need to confess to your bishop, go see him. Let him help you. Don’t risk carrying an unnecessary burden through your life, which will leave you feeling miserable.”

Why is confession necessary?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

One evening a few years ago, I was interviewing adults for renewal of their temple recommends. A middle-aged woman came in for her interview. She had been married in the temple and was active in the Church all her life.

As the interview progressed, I received a spiritual impression. I said to her, “Sister, I have the impression that you made a serious mistake when you were a teenager that you haven’t confessed to a priesthood leader. Would you be willing to tell me about it?”

She immediately began to cry. She told me that was true, but she had always felt too embarrassed to confess it to a bishop. As she confessed what she had done, she shared sufficient detail for me to make a determination of her worthiness.

Why is confession necessary?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

The confession of her sin to a priesthood leader marked the end of her repentance process rather than the beginning. She had unnecessarily carried the burden and sorrow of that sin for more than 30 years.

I want you to know that I do not remember her name. The Lord can remove such memories from bishops. What I do remember is that through confession to her priesthood leader, a middle-aged woman was relieved of feelings of guilt that she had carried far too many years.

Why is confession necessary?

Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to

Confess to My Bishop?” October

2013 New Era

“Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again.

“If we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time.

“It is our responsibility to avoid anything that would bring back old sinful memories.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Point of Safe Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 101).

What if I still ‘remember’ my sin? Am I not forgiven?

“Guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body—a warning of danger and a protection from additional damage. From the Atonement of the Savior flows the soothing salve that can heal our spiritual wounds and remove guilt. This salve can only be applied through sincere repentance.

“Your bishop is the spiritual physician’s assistant who is authorized to help you repent and heal.”

What is the purpose of the pain associated with repentance?

Elder David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign May

2013, 44.

"In a real though figurative sense, the book of life is the record of the acts of men as such record is written in their own bodies. It is the record engraven on the very bones, sinews, and flesh of the mortal body. That is, every thought, word and deed has an effect on the human body; all these leave their marks, marks which can be read by Him who is Eternal as easily as the words in a book can be read. (Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 97.)

Is there really a book that angels write that has a list of everything we’ve done?

“We are spinning our own fates good or evil, and never to be undone. Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its ever so little scar. Down among his nerve-cells and fibers the molecules are counting it, registering and storing it up to be used against him when the next temptation comes.”

(Psychology, Henry Holt I Co., N. Y. 1892, p. 150.)

Is there really a book that angels write that has a list of everything we’ve done?

“When a person has gone through the process of repentance, the Savior not only cleanses that person from sin, but he also gives him or her new strength. To be admitted to his presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed from a weak person who has transgressed into a strong person with the spiritual stature to dwell in the presence of God.”

What blessings come because of repentance?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord's Way,

p.226

THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

MORMON MESSAGE: Reclaimed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7V2ET7p5FA

THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

MORMON MESSAGE: Reclaimed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7V2ET7p5FA

Who can testify of the blessings of Repentance?