Similarly, resentment accumulates gradually, often without us even noticing it. He will love and help and support you through this process and through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ I know you can be made clean and pure. If its true that you have had no issues with pornography for four months, then I dont think it will effect your ability to serve a mission next year. Good luck with your mission prep. He sent His Son to die for us and show us the way back to His presence. Helga, The answer to your question is that it depends. If you are unsure of your standing before God, then I recommend you go talk to your bishop. As it says in James 5:20, missionary work shall hide a multitude of sins, both of the converted or the converter. Now, hes allowing me to go to the temple. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Also, consider talking to your mom about this situation. You can do this!! His final words to her were go and sin no more. We need to forgive and move on. The advice and course of action the bishop will recommend may be very different if you feel attracted to men versus attracted to women. Please, just, what is the LONGEST time for the repentance process? It's about 1 he 40 minutes from hitting the button to the end but the time it takes doing the veil varies according to how many patrons there are. The scriptures teach that He has healing in his wings (see 2 Nephi 25: 13 and Malachi 4:2). We love you. Ive found that immediately singing a hymn, even if its in my mind helps, though I also find that things such as running to read the scriptures, isnt always helpful, because it ticks Satan off and he turns up the heat. Scott, The day before you leave to go to the MTC, you will be given a final interview by your stake president and set apart as a full-time missionary. And consider opening up to your mom as well. I saw brokenhearted spouses find peace and the ability to forgive. To become free from it, we must turn to our Heavenly Father, pray in faith, and act as He asks us to. In these situations, we need to rely on the healing power of the Saviors Atonement. If you broke the law of chastity before, and talked to your bishop. David, Sexual addictions like viewing pornography and masturbating can be very difficult to overcome, so I congratulate you for the progress you have made. As you follow the teachings of Jesus and the guidance of your priesthood leaders, you will be washed clean of your sins through the atoning power of our Savior Jesus Christ. Good luck and God bless. I have no excuse. The recent law of chastity violations you describe are a very serious situation, one not to be taken lightly. Your bishop will understand your situation and he will treat you with love and kindness. Whether or not he can still hold a calling will depend on the seriousness of how he broke the law of chastity. The bishop is the judge in Israel (D&C 107: 72) to whom the Lord will give inspiration regarding the length of time for the steps in the repentance process. The prophets have declared that this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32). Repentance brings peace when we place our lives in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ. These may be confessed privately to the Lord. I have a question. Does it change the waiting period of getting cleared changed based upon the time a sin has bee committed? There is a better way and that is tapping into the power that our Savior freely gives us. It has ruined my life to the point that I couldnt go on a mission or attend Brigham Young University-Idaho (I actually attended but dropped out) because every time I tried to go to the bishop for an ecclesiastical endorsement, he denied it because of this gross sin that needs to be resolved. The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people (see 3Nephi 13:1415). As we gratefully recognize His Atonement and His power to cleanse us from sin, we are able to "exercise [our] faith unto repentance" ( Alma 34:17) Sorrow for Sin. But scence then everything has been pointing me to go. Repentance is a life long process, so we should never stop repenting, leaving behind our mistakes, and coming unto Jesus Christ. You can also take advice from Joseph Smith on that subject. Good luck with your mission prep and well pray for you to resolve these issues quickly and completely so you can be in the full-time missionary force soon. After repenting and waiting the year can I serve when I turn 19? In a way we do not fully understand, Jesus paid for our sins. I really want more anything to serve a mission in 4-6 months but am worried I cant break the habit. Yes, that is generally true. Whether you follow Satan or not, he will hate you! He knows you can succeed, and perhaps this struggle is the best way for you to learn to be humble, meek and submissive to your Heavenly Father. That is between you and the Lord, primarily, and perhaps also with the Lords judge on earth, your bishop (D&C 107: 72) and stake president. Autumn, The Lord has said, By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sinsbehold, he will confess them and forsake them. (D&C 58:43) If you stopped 5 years ago, then it sounds like you have done the forsaking part of the process. But I let these things happened. Everyone in my church looks up to me and I dont want them to see me not taking the sacrament and think differently of me. I have already told many people that I plan to leave soon, and I dont want everyone to know about what happened. If you are unsure about it, talk to your bishop. Never be the reason that a woman is unable to receive her temple blessings. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. But Im afraid to talk to my bishop about it because Im afraid that hell tell me I cant serve a mission. As you discuss the principles of repentance with class members or family members, you may want to ask someone to write the principles on the board or on a large piece of paper. It sounds like you have taken many of the right steps to repent and be clean. So Im preparing to serve a mission at the moment. I suggest being completely open and honest with your bishop. Ive even fasted for forgiveness, and I dont usually fast for medical reasons. I mean that my month to turn in my mission papers is January. It is time to thrust in [our] sickles, and reap with all [our] might, mind, and strength.17 The forces of evil have never raged more forcefully than they do today. Nor is there any mention in the handbook that came out in 2010. He is arming his minions with potent weapons to keep us from partaking of the joy and love of the Lord.10. And then, change! Whether it is heterosexual or homosexual pornography would probably be a relevant detail that the bishop would want to know, so yes, I would recommend you tell him that. They don't want to change. Its hard for me to say since I am not your priesthood leader, so this is my opinion, but I think simply stating that you masturbated is enough detail on that matter. It sounds like you are doing the right things to bring your life in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Good luck and God bless you and I hope to see you on a mission a year from now. Repenting requires us to look inward, be humble, and take responsibility for our mistakes and weaknesses. First it started with porn then when I started dating I did everything I shouldnt have. But as we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf He got me thinking, and I have started to feel what I think is the spirit when I prayed for the first time in a while, or actually listen in seminary. Thanks. Jimmy, Ive been struggling with whether to go on a mission for some time now, I turned 25 in May and have struggled with pornography. A gossip who has slandered the character of a person should work to restore the good name of the person he has harmed. I am also planning to go on a mission but this is holding me back. Good luck and God bless. So there goes another broken law of chastity. Your body is your personal temple, created to house your eternal spirit.14 Your care of that temple is important. I am not absolving him of responsibility. If i tell this are they gonna cancell my recommend again? It stinks.but what I have learned is this, that for me and perhaps for you too, that an addiction like that will always come up from time to time, the temptations, the reminders, etc. When I get back home I want to talk to my bishop, but I now my parents will go crazy. How do we repent? Enoch was the seventh in a chain of Patriarchs extending back to Adam (MOSES 6:10-22). He will ask enough questions to understand the situation and how serious it was and what will need to be done to fully repent. I focus on this line alone, You realize that you caused the Savior to suffer and bleed at every pore, and you are heartbroken for that.. Another way we can also do better and be better is how we honor the women in our lives, beginning with our wives and daughters, our mothers and sisters.15, Months ago, I received a heartbreaking letter from a dear sister. Your decision to go talk to your bishop is right on. We must kneel before Him in humble prayer, acknowledging our sins. Its been 3 years and I want to go on a mission in 4 years. I love that he used the word "enthusiasm" when talking about repentance. They will keep confessions confidential and help throughout the process of repentance. Have courage and dont get down on yourself. This period can be as long as three years for multiple serious transgressions and should not be less than one year from the most recent serious incident. I feel like Im losing my mind. Encourage Understanding and Application: Explain that because of Jesus Christ, when we do something wrong we can repent, which means we stop sinning and turn to God. We should repent now, every day. Engaging in fornication breaks one of God's most . Hi jimmy. In most cases, we are married only for a short time before we hurt our spouses feelings. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ,3 who stands with open arms,4 hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. Is pornography included in this? I have had a sex addiction prior to being baptized and fooled around with someone who introduced it to me very early. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point (Alma 42:2930). How do i know that the Lord forgave me? Be prayerful, drink deeply from the scriptures, and I know that through the power of God you will be able to overcome it and be able to return to live with your Father in Heaven in Celestial glory. This obedience includes actions we might not initially consider part of repentance, such as attending meetings, paying tithing, giving service, and forgiving others. I am not sure, but I know that happened about 2 or 3 years ago. In addition, we must confess serious sinssuch as adultery, fornication, homosexual relations, spouse or child abuse, and the sale or use of illegal drugswhich might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority. I hope that I am not too far so as not to be able to serve a mission in the future, as I have surpassed the age limit to serve. Good luck, thanks for reaching out, and God bless. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. So anyways, i have repented of this sin but every now and then it keeps coming back to me. Upon reflection of their past actions, though, they realize they havecommitted serious sins that need to be cleared up, so they can be worthy to go. Only his priesthood leaders, like his bishop and stake president, can determine how serious the transgression is and if he should or should not have a church calling. 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