I am coming back to church and asking God for forgiveness. My life isn’t so good because I broke the law of chastity. I’ve cried and cried and I’ve asked God and Jesus Christ for forgiveness, but will He listen or has He gotten tired of seeing me going back to my sins? How can I obtain forgiveness?
5 Responses to “I am coming back to church and asking God for forgiveness. M…”
Lucas Silva
2007-11-20 09:24:53
Dear friend,
I can tell from your email that you understand the gravity of your sin. Breaking the law of chastity is a serious sin; your words make it clear that you have felt the great sorrow that comes from acting contrary to God's will.
I know that you can be forgiven. You can make your life right with God once again. The words God spoke through the prophet Isaiah are certainly pertinent: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
How can you begin the process of cleansing your soul? Let me share with you the experience of a friend of mine. He too committed a terrible sin, and he too felt tremendous guilt, just as you do. This friend of mine went to our bishop, a quiet but spiritually deep man. My friend afterwards told me that our dear bishop had invited him into his office, and together they wept because of the sorrow that sin had brought into his life. There was no condemnation. There was no punishment. Instead, the bishop gave my friend a priesthood blessing, and together they set goals to improve spirituality, to help him better connect with Jesus Christ's atonement through prayer and scripture study. My friend has followed those goals and will be returning to the temple in a few weeks. The bishop helped him find the spiritual healing that can only come through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
How can you be healed? Come back to church, my friend. Go to your bishop and tell him the great sorrow that you have brought into your life, and he will help you find solace in Jesus Christ. Together you can set goals to bring you closer to God, closer to your Father.
I'm sure that God's heart must jump for joy at the thought that His beloved child longs to return to Him. He has His arms open ready to receive you. He loves you more than you can ever know.
If there's anything more I can do to help, please don't hesitate to email me.
Anonymous
2008-02-19 03:48:06
My dear brother,
Never forget that our Heavenly Father loves each of us and knows our hearts. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for all mankind to be washed and made clean if we will repent. Repentance means a change of heart. We must feel God like sorrow and have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We must also confess the nature of our sins, in the case of sexual transgression, to our bishop. This may seem a bit frightening and embarrassing, but trust me, you will feel so much better. Your bishop will know what you need to do. Remember that he has been called by God and will lovingly counsel you and help you through the process. We all make mistakes and some of us make huge mistakes. I confessed to many sexual sins including fornication, adultry, homosexuality, viewing pornography and masturbation. It was difficult to admit to these things, but so healing. My sins occurred many years before I confessed to them and I had long since forsaken them. I ultimately was sent to see my stake president and confessed to him. Thankfully, I was not excommunicated or disfellowshipped. I guess because I had so obviously changed and the sins were so long ago and I was not an active member nor did I hold the priesthood. But, I was ready to go through anything to be clean, and I mean anything. Please see you bishop, he will only love you and will help you. If you are sincere and wish for a change, I promise you that forgiveness is available and Jesus Christ can and will change you forever.come unto Christ- good luck and God bless!!
Richard
2008-03-03 05:32:12
It's hard to forgive oneself after knowing that we could have done better. I am also a returning to church after a major sin. In the past I would end up falling into thoughts of 'I am sooo not worthy' and/or 'I have failed again, I've tried over and over to beat this addiction, but I always seem to fail! Is there any hope for me now!'...
I've learned along the way that thoughts like those aren't from God they are tools used by the devil to keep us in misery like himself. Misery loves company and he loves to make us miserable so we can be more like him. However in the past when I thought like that I became almost imobilized to do good to others around me let alone to myself! It was in those moments that I found I was more easily accessable to listen to further temptations which if given in this simply would lead to more misery. And so the downward cycle continued.
Since then I have found a favorite quote from president Packard on the matter of sin and giving up hope it is this: "There is no sin so great, no transgression so vile, no rebellion so long that is exempt from a full and complete forgiveness through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Bottom line - we all sin, every day we come short of the level asked of us by Christ "Be ye therefore perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect." (Matt 5:38) but on the other hand according to Nephi "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)
So to dispare isn't of God who simply says 'I have prepared a way for you to keep all my commandments.' "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I shall give thee rest" (Matt 11:28) "...come unto me (for) I (can) show unto (men) their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)
If you just can't find it possible to forgive yourself I would recommend searching out the talk by D. Chad Richardson entitled "Forgiving Oneself" on lds.org.
Remember the only time we fail in this life is when we, by our own agancy, choose to stop trying.
Last - Jesus is saving me from my addiction one small step at a time, it's hard still, but it's not impossible with him.
Webmaster: What a wonderful story. The Church is very lucky that you are returning, my friend!
Anonymous
2008-02-15 06:27:15
I spent 21 years away from the church. During this time I committed too many serious sins to remember. Sexual and otherwise. I was never active in church. No priesthood, etc. So my situation may be different. I became active three years ago and I confessed my sins to my bishop, as many as I could remember. I was filled with shame and anguish. My bishop was so awesome, a very spiritual man. He wept the entire time with me and gave me a blessing. There was no disciplinary court held. I felt nothing but love and now hold the priesthood and hold a temple recommend. Don't delay, your bishop will be just the same and you will feel much better.
Vivian
2008-08-25 06:23:20
Please, come back and stay with us!!!
You are not the only one that feels that way. Talk to your bishop, you can prepare yourself by fasting and praying. If you don't feel strong enough, try fasting for 12 hours, read the scriptures and pray.
You can't imagine how many people you might help in the future if you repent, keep your faith and go on doing the best that you can.
I can tell from your email that you understand the gravity of your sin. Breaking the law of chastity is a serious sin; your words make it clear that you have felt the great sorrow that comes from acting contrary to God's will.
I know that you can be forgiven. You can make your life right with God once again. The words God spoke through the prophet Isaiah are certainly pertinent: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
How can you begin the process of cleansing your soul? Let me share with you the experience of a friend of mine. He too committed a terrible sin, and he too felt tremendous guilt, just as you do. This friend of mine went to our bishop, a quiet but spiritually deep man. My friend afterwards told me that our dear bishop had invited him into his office, and together they wept because of the sorrow that sin had brought into his life. There was no condemnation. There was no punishment. Instead, the bishop gave my friend a priesthood blessing, and together they set goals to improve spirituality, to help him better connect with Jesus Christ's atonement through prayer and scripture study. My friend has followed those goals and will be returning to the temple in a few weeks. The bishop helped him find the spiritual healing that can only come through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
How can you be healed? Come back to church, my friend. Go to your bishop and tell him the great sorrow that you have brought into your life, and he will help you find solace in Jesus Christ. Together you can set goals to bring you closer to God, closer to your Father.
I'm sure that God's heart must jump for joy at the thought that His beloved child longs to return to Him. He has His arms open ready to receive you. He loves you more than you can ever know.
If there's anything more I can do to help, please don't hesitate to email me.
Never forget that our Heavenly Father loves each of us and knows our hearts. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for all mankind to be washed and made clean if we will repent. Repentance means a change of heart. We must feel God like sorrow and have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We must also confess the nature of our sins, in the case of sexual transgression, to our bishop. This may seem a bit frightening and embarrassing, but trust me, you will feel so much better. Your bishop will know what you need to do. Remember that he has been called by God and will lovingly counsel you and help you through the process. We all make mistakes and some of us make huge mistakes. I confessed to many sexual sins including fornication, adultry, homosexuality, viewing pornography and masturbation. It was difficult to admit to these things, but so healing. My sins occurred many years before I confessed to them and I had long since forsaken them. I ultimately was sent to see my stake president and confessed to him. Thankfully, I was not excommunicated or disfellowshipped. I guess because I had so obviously changed and the sins were so long ago and I was not an active member nor did I hold the priesthood. But, I was ready to go through anything to be clean, and I mean anything. Please see you bishop, he will only love you and will help you. If you are sincere and wish for a change, I promise you that forgiveness is available and Jesus Christ can and will change you forever.come unto Christ- good luck and God bless!!
I've learned along the way that thoughts like those aren't from God they are tools used by the devil to keep us in misery like himself. Misery loves company and he loves to make us miserable so we can be more like him. However in the past when I thought like that I became almost imobilized to do good to others around me let alone to myself! It was in those moments that I found I was more easily accessable to listen to further temptations which if given in this simply would lead to more misery. And so the downward cycle continued.
Since then I have found a favorite quote from president Packard on the matter of sin and giving up hope it is this: "There is no sin so great, no transgression so vile, no rebellion so long that is exempt from a full and complete forgiveness through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Bottom line - we all sin, every day we come short of the level asked of us by Christ "Be ye therefore perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect." (Matt 5:38) but on the other hand according to Nephi "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)
So to dispare isn't of God who simply says 'I have prepared a way for you to keep all my commandments.' "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I shall give thee rest" (Matt 11:28) "...come unto me (for) I (can) show unto (men) their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)
If you just can't find it possible to forgive yourself I would recommend searching out the talk by D. Chad Richardson entitled "Forgiving Oneself" on lds.org.
Remember the only time we fail in this life is when we, by our own agancy, choose to stop trying.
Last - Jesus is saving me from my addiction one small step at a time, it's hard still, but it's not impossible with him.
Webmaster: What a wonderful story. The Church is very lucky that you are returning, my friend!
You are not the only one that feels that way. Talk to your bishop, you can prepare yourself by fasting and praying. If you don't feel strong enough, try fasting for 12 hours, read the scriptures and pray.
You can't imagine how many people you might help in the future if you repent, keep your faith and go on doing the best that you can.