Hello. I’ve been a member of the church for 7 months. I have a calling, which I love. But I recently finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time and realized that when I was baptized I wasn’t worthy. I had broken the Law of Chastity one or two weeks before my baptism. All this time in the church I thought it was normal, until I realized it wasn’t. I feel terrible and can’t forgive myself. I absolutely believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ, but I do worry what will happen. I didn’t realize I wasn’t worthy! I’m even feeling out my missionary papers right now. Should I tell my Bishop or simply pray to God for peace and forgiveness for having been baptized when I shouldn’t have been?
2 Responses to “I was baptized before I’d repented!”
Daniel Rios
2016-12-18 14:43:47
It sounds like you didn't realize what you were doing, sister. Sin is when we choose to do something wrong. You didn't know, so there wasn't really a choice.
It would have been best if you'd been properly taught before your baptism, but it's not your fault that this important teaching was somehow missed.
I recommend that you talk to your Bishop about this challenge. Explain that you really didn't understand that you had sinned and so didn't realize the need for confession. Tell him that now that you do understand, you feel terrible about what happened. I'm confident things will be fine!
W Douglas Bisson
2017-02-03 11:31:19
I have been a member of the Church for more than 30 years. Perhaps I don't understand you correctly, but It is my understanding that baptism is for the remission of sins. Why worry about not being worthy to be baptized? That is why the Book of Mormon puts forth the argument concerning the baptism of Infant children being unnecessary. They are still pure In Christ. A totally worthy person shouldn't need to be baptized.
It would have been best if you'd been properly taught before your baptism, but it's not your fault that this important teaching was somehow missed.
I recommend that you talk to your Bishop about this challenge. Explain that you really didn't understand that you had sinned and so didn't realize the need for confession. Tell him that now that you do understand, you feel terrible about what happened. I'm confident things will be fine!