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The Unforgivable?

"Now, what of you who have already made mistakes or have lost yourselves
to an immoral lifestyle? What hope do you have? Are you cast off and lost
forever?

"These are not unforgivable sins. However unworthy or unnatural or immoral
these transgressions may be, they are not unforgivable (see D&C 42:25).
When completely forsaken and fully repented of, there can open the
purifying gift of forgiveness, and the burden of guilt will be erased.
There is a way back--long, perhaps; hard, certainly; possible, of course!
(see Acts 5:31; Eph. 1:7; Mosiah 4:2; 26:29; D&C 1:31-32; 58:42; 61:2).

"You need not, you cannot find your way alone. You have a Redeemer. The
Lord will lift your burden if you choose to repent and turn from your sins
and do them no more. That is what the Atonement of Christ was for. . . .

"The choice rests with you; you are not cast off forever. I repeat, these
transgressions are not unforgivable.

"One may think, It is too late, my life will soon be over, and I am
eternally doomed. Not so, for 'if in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable' (1 Cor. 15:19).

"Just as the physical body can be cleansed and healed, so can the spirit be
washed clean by the power of the Atonement. The Lord will lift you and
carry your burden during the suffering and struggle required to make you
clean. That is what the Atonement of Christ is all about."

Ref. Boyd K. Packer, "Ye Are the Temple of God," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 74

Unforgivable The

Excellent statements about it. I think when most of us sin, if it is related somehow to sexual sins, Satan tries his best to make us think that God will not forgive us and therefore, it is doesn't make sense to repent and confess, he lies as he always do to make us even more miserable than he is. The truth is that God loves us, he wants the best for us and he wants to see us happy and he cannot wait for us to make those changes in our lives that are neccesary to live with him again.

The Unforgivable? Studies Doctrine Mormon

"Like the prodigal son, we too can go to 'a far country,' which may be no
further away than a vile rock concert. The distance to 'a far country' is
not be to be measured by miles but by how far our hearts and minds are
from Jesus! Fidelity, not geography, really determines the distance!"

(Neal A. Maxwell, "The Tugs and Pulls of the World," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 36)

Unforgivable The

It is interesting. Many don't understand that ex-communication, for example or disfellowship aren't meant as punishment but as aides in repentance and in understanding that you have been forgiven. The person must do a lot of study and meeting with bishop or bishopric members during this process so that it is ensured that they truly have repented...but not just that, also to be sure they truly understand and believe that they have been forgiven. Without the true belief and understanding that you have been forgiven, the chance of a repeat is higher. If you understand how much the Savior loves you and how he has forgiven you, then you generally don't want to repeat the offense. Also, it helps you to forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you cannot be truly happy.

Edited: tenaheff on 20th Aug, 2004 - 1:47am

Unforgivable The

I know what it's like to climb out of the abyss of sin... it's a long, hard climb, that's for sure, and has nothing to do with geography.

What is truly awesome to me is the absolute loss of desire for those sins! What great gifts the Savior has for us when we truly repent. I know others who have "quit" drinking or smoking or drugs, but who continue to call themselves "recovering" addicts. They haven't truly forsaken those sins but crave them still. I give all credit to the Savior, as is right, for the great gift of removing from me the desire for these things.

Roz

The Unforgivable?

"For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to
look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and
hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance
ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured
or far away, there is the promise of 'good things to come.' My declaration
is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us,
especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There
really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World."

Ref. (Jeffrey R. Holland, "An High Priest of Good Things to Come," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36)

The Unforgivable

One thing I understand about being trapped in that 'unforgiveable' syndrome is making comparissons. We ought not to compare what we did in our life with others. I know some people who made the wrong choices and lost opportunities in their life and they dwell so much on those who made the right choices to the point that they fall into a depressed state. We must understand that we all are working to be one day at the same spot - standing before God without blemish. Everyone can do this, everyone can work towards this and all can be made whole.

"You can cast out guilt, overcome depression, receive the blessing of peace
of mind, and find enduring joy. Pray for help and guidance, and you will be
led to find it. Go to where you know the light of truth shines--to a worthy
friend, a loving bishop or stake president, an understanding parent. Please
come back. We love you. We need you. Follow the path to peace and joy
through complete repentance. The Savior will help you obtain forgiveness as
you sincerely follow all of the steps to repentance. He is the Redeemer. He
loves you. He wants you to have peace and joy in your life."

Ref. (Richard G. Scott, "The Path to Peace and Joy," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 26)

The Unforgivable Mormon Doctrine Studies

"To continue to suffer for sins when there has been proper repentance and
forgiveness of the Lord is prompted by the master of deceit. Lucifer will
encourage you to continue to relive the details of past mistakes, knowing
that such thoughts can hamper your progress. Thus he attempts to tie
strings to the mind and body so that he can manipulate you like a puppet
to discourage personal achievement."

(Richard G. Scott, "The Path to Peace and Joy," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 26)