I was born into the church, and now I’ve decided to go on a mission. My calling came a month ago, and this week in my mission-prep class they talked about worthiness. They asked us to pray to see if we should go on a mission, and I got a negative response. I feel like I need to repent before I server (I haven’t yet confessed anything to my leaders). But I’m not sure I’m brave enough to tell my bishop. I’m worried they won’t let me go on a mission. Is it wrong not to tell them? I feel like I’ve repented otherwise.
Jesus Christ is central to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which bears His name.
Hi brother. If I understood you correctly, it's not that God told you to forgo serving a mission, but that He told you to repent of some serious sins so you can properly prepare for missionary service. It's common for repentance to make people a little nervous at first, but you must know how important it is. You need to be able to serve your mission with a clear conscience. How can you ask your investigators to make promises to God that you yourself have broken? If you repent properly, then you'll be able to preach the gospel with power and confidence.
I encourage you to chat with your bishop immediately. Don't let embarrassment keep you from asking for the help you need. The bishop is the one who God has authorized to help you apply Christ's atonement in your life. One of the most beautiful verses in all of scripture is: "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." (Isaiah 1:18). I know that that promise can be fulfilled in your life too.
I encourage you to chat with your bishop immediately. Don't let embarrassment keep you from asking for the help you need. The bishop is the one who God has authorized to help you apply Christ's atonement in your life. One of the most beautiful verses in all of scripture is: "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." (Isaiah 1:18). I know that that promise can be fulfilled in your life too.
I recently wrote an article about how to recover spiritually from a serious sin. Perhaps it can help you. Let me know if there's anything more I can do to help you.