I broke the law of chastity about a year ago but I recently decided to start going back to church and have started repenting. There are so many questions I have and am so confused about many other things. If you have gone thru something similar to this or have any words of advice, please share. Thanks :-)

Anonymous from Tucson, 11/19/2009

Share/Save/Bookmark

Richard from Orem:


D&C 58:42: He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. #1 on the list is God knows everything and is neither disappointed nor surprised at that which happened a year ago, but you do need to start with, if you haven't already, going to your bishop and confessing your sin so you can have it placed in your past and not let it be in our future, also by confessing you have access to being cleansed one day by the blood of Christ and be forgiven completely. If you don't take that step then you will get to suffer "Even as I... Which suffering caused I, the greatest of all to bleed from every pore... " That is a paraphrase of Christ telling the church what occurs to the un-repentant sinner. (see D&C 19: 16-20)

Beyond that I have been through, and are still going through, what you are going through and the hardest step on the journey back is the first one, to get in and confess properly. I'd recommend praying for strength to make the call, then get up off your knees and do so (that is a call in to the executive secretary to set up an appt. to meet with you bishop) and then once that is set, pray again before you go and then get in and talk to your bishop.

FYI bishops do not condemn, they may if the spirit prompts them ask you to not take the sacrament for a while, but trust that the bishop is a man of God, being helped by God and know that God (and your bishop) just want you back in good, full standings in the church to your ultimate salvation in overcoming the world, and the sins in it. (see John 8 and note how Christ deals with the woman taken in adultery)

Once you get on that path back into full fellowship, I can tell you the devils will tempt you and try to tell you how horrible you are and all the tricks they can to tear you down and trick you/lead you again into sinning again. You need to know that even the least of the creations of God has power over all the devils combined, especially through the power of prayer and Jesus who will succor (or run to) you asap to help you out of any problem you are in. He will, however, work with you and God will not allow you to be tempted above that which you can handle.

God has faith that all his sons and daughters can find the strength through his Son, Jesus, back to him. So know that God knows you and he knows you are strong and wise enough, with his help, you will overcome all. One step at a time in the right direction and a few years later and you will be a new person. And yes I have walked that path and it gets easier every day as long as I am vigilant and choose to be wise. (Keep to the basics, pray always, read scriptures or seek diligently and all things will work for your good) (see D&C 90:24)
Return to the "Question and Answer" Page