For several years a teenage, I would watch porn 1-2 times a month if I saw it on T. V. Though I no longer do, and have no intetions to do so, is this something I should confess to my bishop?
sin
Anonymous,
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4 Responses to “For several years a teenage, I would watch porn 1-2 times a …”
Richard
2009-10-30 20:44:05
Short answer is yes you need to go in and talk with your bishop. When you sin and you don't confess the sin is now in your future, when you do confess now your sin in in the past. God the Father and Jesus already know what you have done, you can't actually hide anything from them so rest assured that the bishop, if he is worthy of his calling, will respond with help and direction and not condemnation.
Warning to you - the devils will tempt you and tell you how horrible you are about that sin/transgression/unknown? mistake but once confessed you can actually pray to God and ask for him to allow Christ to deal with the devils and the guilt.
Confess and get your conscience cleared and go about doing good as best as you know how. (FYI I've been there done that and still struggle with a 15+ year addiciton, the earlier you confess and start on the path the quicker you can feel at peace again. It's possible I've lived it and Christ has always been there, even when I didn't want to, or feel I could, go to Him.)
One step at a time in the correct direction with Jesus and we all will make it clean, by and through Him and his atonement, to our Father again.
Webmaster
2009-11-01 22:39:49
Hi friend. I'm very happy to hear that you've managed to overcome this addiction. Many people are not so fortunate. I often receive e-mails from people whose lives have been destroyed in large part due to pornography use.
I would recommend talking with your bishop. As you've put this sin behind you, I suspect no church discipline will be necessary, though I've never been a bishop myself. Your bishop will help you finally close this chapter of your life. If your past sins are bothering you enough that you wonder whether or not you should confess them to your bishop, you probably should. You need to know with certainty in your heart that you've been forgiven so that you can move forward. Your bishop will guide you as you apply the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in your life. You won't have to spend the rest of your life wondering whether or not you have fully repented.
Best of luck to you, friend.
Pamela Dean
2009-10-30 22:25:56
Yes, you should. One of the bishop's roles is to act as a judge in Israel. He has been given the power to discern whether one has truly repented. Some things he may consider when determining whether any action is required may include the amount of time that has passed since the last occurence, which priesthood you held at the time, whether you have had temple recommend interviews where you did not confess this, and if you accepted callings unworthily. But the very fact that you asked the question indicates that you know that you should talk to him, and will undoubtedly feel better about it once you do. Prayers to you...
Anonymous
2009-11-01 15:43:45
Pornography is highly addictive. Those who have viewed it in the past usually have a very hard time stopping. Speak with your bishop to see what his council his on the matter. If you wonder if you should, it's best to err on the side of caution.
Warning to you - the devils will tempt you and tell you how horrible you are about that sin/transgression/unknown? mistake but once confessed you can actually pray to God and ask for him to allow Christ to deal with the devils and the guilt.
Confess and get your conscience cleared and go about doing good as best as you know how. (FYI I've been there done that and still struggle with a 15+ year addiciton, the earlier you confess and start on the path the quicker you can feel at peace again. It's possible I've lived it and Christ has always been there, even when I didn't want to, or feel I could, go to Him.)
One step at a time in the correct direction with Jesus and we all will make it clean, by and through Him and his atonement, to our Father again.
I would recommend talking with your bishop. As you've put this sin behind you, I suspect no church discipline will be necessary, though I've never been a bishop myself. Your bishop will help you finally close this chapter of your life. If your past sins are bothering you enough that you wonder whether or not you should confess them to your bishop, you probably should. You need to know with certainty in your heart that you've been forgiven so that you can move forward. Your bishop will guide you as you apply the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in your life. You won't have to spend the rest of your life wondering whether or not you have fully repented.
Best of luck to you, friend.