I’ve been a member for two years but in the last few days I’ve committed some terrible sins. I’m trying my best to stop but I can’t. I want to be worthy of the priesthood and to have a clean mind. I want God’s spirit with me once again. I started by watching pornography, but now I’ve done some other things too. I want to escape this sin, to abandon my sin and repent. I want things to be right with God and Jesus Christ once again. Please help me. Give me counsel and scriptures if possible. Thanks.
2 Responses to “I’ve been a member for two years but in the last few days I…”
Leonardo Leal
2010-04-26 07:25:40
A missionary hugging a bishop in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
Hi friend. I can tell that your desire to do the right thing and to be worthy of the priesthood is very sincere. Having a sincere desire to choose the right is the first step towards repentance and recovery. Some sins are so serious and so addictive that we cannot overcome them on our own. We need help from others. Fortunately, God in His wisdom has organized His church so that every Mormon congregation has a bishop or branch president that can receive confessions. These men have been called by God to help the members of their congregation apply the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in their lives. I'm sure your bishop could help you too, and I strongly encourage you to set up an appointment with him.
I've received many e-mails from many people who struggle with serious sins. They have told me that their bishops and their branch presidents have been very supportive and very helpful. Thanks to Jesus Christ, I know you can overcome your sins. The bishop can help you. Good luck.
Richard
2010-04-27 21:32:44
God allows u-turns. Satan doesn't want you to know that and will tell you that you are too far gone and can't turn around... But Satan is a liar, and you don't have to believe him. God, Jesus that is, has also always been there waiting with open and outstreted arms for you to turn to him.
So, last I checked you are an agent unto yourself so choose and turn to him. Ask and pray for courage to do as much if you need to, but in any case just do it.
Isaiah 1:18-19: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."
Ether 12:27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them 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."
D&C 58:42-43: "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them."
Taken all together I can testify to you that Christ is able and more than willing to come and rescue you from whatever sins you may be plagued with. I've had felt his rescuing and redeeming hand in my life and he has saved me from myself, literally. I was 20 years an addict to pornograph, drinking, and rioteous living, I, through his grace came unto him one day and he was been with me ever since. I can also tell you that in under 6-years I am free form my former life and addictions, because of his redeeming power and long-suffering toward me.
I feel I was take, like the sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger who it is written: "And thus did the spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever. Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church. Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls. And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance,..."
Best of luck brother it's hard but worth it and all you need to do is forgive yourself (Chad D. Richardson Forgiving Oneself). Keep praying, and work out your salvation with your bishop and our Savior Jesus.
Don't be afraid to go to your bishop and confessing, God already knows what you've done and he's ready to take you back in. Telling your bishop and eventually your family will be just part of the process that I know you can do, because you are a latter-day son of God and he will claim you his, but not without your permission.
I've received many e-mails from many people who struggle with serious sins. They have told me that their bishops and their branch presidents have been very supportive and very helpful. Thanks to Jesus Christ, I know you can overcome your sins. The bishop can help you. Good luck.
So, last I checked you are an agent unto yourself so choose and turn to him. Ask and pray for courage to do as much if you need to, but in any case just do it.
Isaiah 1:18-19: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."
Ether 12:27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them 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."
D&C 58:42-43: "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them."
Taken all together I can testify to you that Christ is able and more than willing to come and rescue you from whatever sins you may be plagued with. I've had felt his rescuing and redeeming hand in my life and he has saved me from myself, literally. I was 20 years an addict to pornograph, drinking, and rioteous living, I, through his grace came unto him one day and he was been with me ever since. I can also tell you that in under 6-years I am free form my former life and addictions, because of his redeeming power and long-suffering toward me.
I feel I was take, like the sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger who it is written: "And thus did the spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever. Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church. Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls. And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance,..."
You're not lost brother, you have just been detoured, and you can get back on track. Read Dallin Oaks' talk, "He Healeth the Heavy Laden." Neil Anderson's talk from oct 2009 conference (I think) "Come... That I may Heal You" and lastly Shane Bowe's talk "The Atonement can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify our Lives."
Best of luck brother it's hard but worth it and all you need to do is forgive yourself (Chad D. Richardson Forgiving Oneself). Keep praying, and work out your salvation with your bishop and our Savior Jesus.
Don't be afraid to go to your bishop and confessing, God already knows what you've done and he's ready to take you back in. Telling your bishop and eventually your family will be just part of the process that I know you can do, because you are a latter-day son of God and he will claim you his, but not without your permission.