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Alma 36 10 Questions about Repentance. Why do I need to see a Bishop after I commit a ‘big’ sin? Why can’t I talk to my parents?.
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Why do I need to see a Bishop after I commit a ‘big’ sin? Why can’t I talk to my parents? “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.” Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” October 2013 New Era
How can I tell if I need to talk to the Bishop? “You may be thinking, ‘But how can I know if what I have done is serious enough that I need to talk to the bishop?’ The short answer: ‘Your conscience will tell you.’ When you feel the sting of conscience, act immediately” (see Alma 34:31–34). Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” October 2013 New Era
What if I am too embarrassed to see my Bishop? “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.” “The Lord has said: ‘By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them’ (D&C 58:42–43). 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.” Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” October 2013 New Era
Why is confession necessary? “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. Through your confession to the bishop and your repentance, the Lord will lift that burden from your soul.” Elder C. Scott Grown, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” October 2013 New Era
What if I still ‘remember’ my sin? Am I not forgiven? “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).
How bad will it really be if I don’t confess and repent? “Repent, lest … your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore. “Wherefore, I command you again to repent, … and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken” (D&C 19:15–17, 20).
What is the purpose of the pain associated with repentance? “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.” Elder David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign May 2013, 44.
Is there really a book that angels write that has a list of everything we’ve done? "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.)
I feel so discouraged when I slip up. What should I do? “We must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. “The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma, Paul, Enos, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)
