How do I begin repentence when I was 11 my parents adopded a member of are ward becouse his mother had died and he didnt have a family he was 2 years older then me and I was jellouse of him evey where I looked he had it beter then me I was a jerk and he was esey to pick on he had a lot of porblems emoshonal and the like I aleanated him to the point that he no longer wanted to be a part of our family and becouse of his proplems with the law he stole destruction of property and a personal proplems somhow every one semed to know about it was too much for my parents to handle and they then when he was 17 they reterned custody back to the state I blamed myself and I merited it to I sertenly gave him no reson to enjoy my company or that of any one I knew big time gossup I fellt so guilty in fact that I was shur they had a special place in hell for me my brother now didnt have a family becouse of my guilt I convinced myself that living the gospal was a wast of time I didnt pray often and I didnt nor have I since tolld any one obout my guilt for what I had done I was the best little actor ever I would cry all night without making a noise and pretend to be happy in the morning even though I was sad inside and when my brothe came up I would say good ridens and pretend to hate him this guilt caused me to give up I viewd the church a a good idea no the word of God I would just pick the usfull comadments and ignore things like paying tithing befor I did it the first time I had pland it for months and my parents left on a weekend trip I told myself it would only be once in fact I didnt even realy know hwhat porn was I just thought if im going to hell thets enjoy the body while I still have one after every time I felt bad I was 13 and there was no way I was going to tell any one about my proplems so I worked for my uncle 30 hs a week and I had shool and a paper route it was like my remidy and a did save a lot of mony but I stoped socilising and I felt I could not repent so I did just the minumu church stuff I am now 17 on top of those sins I have done babtisoms for the dead and blesed the sacroment destroying more soles I do belive our church is true I just dont know how to go about repenting and I will never let my parents know any of this if I tell my bishop will he relay the big news and my whole family and half the comunity will know by noon the next day
4 Responses to “How do I begin repentence when I was 11 my parents adopded a…”
Pete
2011-01-22 22:02:24
Dear friend, My heart aches for you. You have shown a lot of courage by sharing your story.
You have begun the repentance process. You see your sins. You feel sorrow for what you have done. You want to change and make it better.
I would encourage you to speak to your bishop. He is a man of God. He is inspired to know what to say to you.
I have worked closely with bishops as a councillor. They are very respectful of private matters. Our bishop never shared private information from his interviews with myself or his other councillor. He will help you every step along the way. Remember that Jesus atoned for our sins. You can be forgiven. You can enjoy the peace of the Holy Ghost.
One thing I suggest is writing a letter to your adopted brother. Tell him how you felt when he first came to live with your family. Tell him how you feel now and how sorry you are. Ask him to forgive you.
You may never mail that letter. You may choose to keep it for the future when the time is right. By writing the letter now, you will feel some of the weight of this burden lifted off your shoulders. Before you begin. Offer a prayer to Heavenly Father to help you know what to say and how to say it.
I will pray for you to have the strength to do what you know you need to do.
Anonymous
2011-01-24 14:05:21
Jesus Christ is central to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which bears His name.
Friend, it looks like you are suffering from a lot of guilt with is different than Godly sorrow. Guilt of the world leads one to feel lees of a person, even though you are still a child of God and he still loves you and sees an infinite potential/possibility for you. Christ died for you individually, and his atonement is infinite, meaning that "there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ" ("The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness," Ensign, nov. 1995, 20).
Stop worrying about the past and your childhood selfishness and go talk to your bishop, repenting in full, which means it's time to step up and tell your parents how you feel, etc.
Being a father myself I am pretty sure that your parents will give you more understanding and compassion that you probably believe they will.
Stop beating yourself up, and stop thinking/believing the worst possible outcome to life. Christ died for everyone, including you, and 'Adam fell that man might be, and man is that he may have joy.' Stop living a life of misery, repent, turn to Christ and let him show you that life can be filled with joy, no matter the past.
The quote above I took from Shayne Bowens talk that I highly suggest you read and take to heart. Good luck.
Anonymous
2011-01-26 04:41:18
Sometimes we get caught up in a downward spiral with Satan, we make mistakes that are in some ways perfectly natural for human beings to do, but we tell ourselves that we know better, and the advesary is in a position to sell us the lie that we are beyond saving. That somehow, although Christ can save others from their sins, we are so bad he won't even recognize our existence.
What you chose to do to your brother is regrettable. Looking back you have every right to feel regret and sorrow. Guilt on the other hand is a double edged sword. Some guilt can motivate us to change for the better, but the kind of guilt you describe does not come from your Heavenly Father or your Savior. The kind of guilt you are feeling is a tool being used to manipulate you into falling further and further behind. Don't let Satan follow through on his designs for your misery.
Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can be freed from our sins.
Reach out to your Savior. Number one, repentance begins with faith in him. You either believe that his atonement is powerful enough for even you or you can choose to deny his role as your Savior. I suggest exercising your faith and reaching out in prayer. Get on your knees and pour out your heart, express your sorrow, express your desire to be a better you, express your desire, if you have it, to return kindness and love for the jealousy and hate you used to give. Ask for your brother to get the help he needs, ask that your heart and his be softened. Ask for opportunities to make even the smallest of repairs.
You have a future ahead of you that is more important to your Heavenly Father than your past. Practice obedience to the simple rules you have been given to follow. Go to church, team up with your bishop to find the peace that comes from being forgiven and moving on with your life. Don't destroy what time you have left in your life lamenting your past. Look forward and draw near to your Savior. He loves you, no matter what you have done, he wants to help you, he knows you are not a lost cause or beyond saving.
Read about Alma the Younger, he was a nightmare, and the son of a prophet of God. When he realized that he was wrong, he didn't want to repent, he wanted to be destroyed, but he remembered what his father said about Christ, and he reached out. The rest of his life was a miracle and testament to the power of the atonement. See Mosiah and then Alma's description of what he went through in Alma 38. Do not despair, Heavenly Father has a plan of happiness even for you.
Pete
2011-01-23 04:11:59
Hello my friend. I was surfing the church website and found this video. It's about bishops. I hope you enjoy it.
You have begun the repentance process. You see your sins. You feel sorrow for what you have done. You want to change and make it better.
I would encourage you to speak to your bishop. He is a man of God. He is inspired to know what to say to you.
I have worked closely with bishops as a councillor. They are very respectful of private matters. Our bishop never shared private information from his interviews with myself or his other councillor. He will help you every step along the way. Remember that Jesus atoned for our sins. You can be forgiven. You can enjoy the peace of the Holy Ghost.
One thing I suggest is writing a letter to your adopted brother. Tell him how you felt when he first came to live with your family. Tell him how you feel now and how sorry you are. Ask him to forgive you.
You may never mail that letter. You may choose to keep it for the future when the time is right. By writing the letter now, you will feel some of the weight of this burden lifted off your shoulders. Before you begin. Offer a prayer to Heavenly Father to help you know what to say and how to say it.
I will pray for you to have the strength to do what you know you need to do.
Stop worrying about the past and your childhood selfishness and go talk to your bishop, repenting in full, which means it's time to step up and tell your parents how you feel, etc.
Being a father myself I am pretty sure that your parents will give you more understanding and compassion that you probably believe they will.
Stop beating yourself up, and stop thinking/believing the worst possible outcome to life. Christ died for everyone, including you, and 'Adam fell that man might be, and man is that he may have joy.' Stop living a life of misery, repent, turn to Christ and let him show you that life can be filled with joy, no matter the past.
The quote above I took from Shayne Bowens talk that I highly suggest you read and take to heart. Good luck.
What you chose to do to your brother is regrettable. Looking back you have every right to feel regret and sorrow. Guilt on the other hand is a double edged sword. Some guilt can motivate us to change for the better, but the kind of guilt you describe does not come from your Heavenly Father or your Savior. The kind of guilt you are feeling is a tool being used to manipulate you into falling further and further behind. Don't let Satan follow through on his designs for your misery.
You have a future ahead of you that is more important to your Heavenly Father than your past. Practice obedience to the simple rules you have been given to follow. Go to church, team up with your bishop to find the peace that comes from being forgiven and moving on with your life. Don't destroy what time you have left in your life lamenting your past. Look forward and draw near to your Savior. He loves you, no matter what you have done, he wants to help you, he knows you are not a lost cause or beyond saving.
Read about Alma the Younger, he was a nightmare, and the son of a prophet of God. When he realized that he was wrong, he didn't want to repent, he wanted to be destroyed, but he remembered what his father said about Christ, and he reached out. The rest of his life was a miracle and testament to the power of the atonement. See Mosiah and then Alma's description of what he went through in Alma 38. Do not despair, Heavenly Father has a plan of happiness even for you.