Some Words of Wisdom

Dear Bro Jo,

I'm not really one for words, so I'm just going to have at it.
Last year was a really hard year for me at school. Schoolwork was hard, I drifted from several friend groups, and spent many Friday nights alone in my room. (I was 16/17, a junior in high school). I eventually tried marijuana and did it twice. I hated the feeling and regret it more than ever.

I've talked to my Bishop before about something else and I truly hated it. My question is, do I *have* to go in and talk to him about this? I've been praying about this, and I don't know whether I have to or not. I'd really prefer to not have to go in and know my Bishop's worried about me and all that stuff. I keep apologizing through prayer. A few weeks ago in YW we had a lesson about how not every sin needs to be brought to the Bishop.

Bro Jo, I'm doing a lot better. I've found a group of fun Mormon girls at girls camp that I've started to hang out with. I don't even talk to the "bad" group I used to hang out with. What are your feelings on the subject?

Signed,

Consciously Confused



Dear Consciously,

Anything that places one's Temple Worthiness in jeopardy requires a conversation with the Bishop.

And if you're ever not sure, it's better to error on the "talk to him" side of things.

Smoking MJ is a violation of the Word of Wisdom. In Temple Recommend Interviews we're asked "do you keep the word of wisdom".

So guess what?

That "hated it" feeling you had before?  Keep that with you as motivation to make your future decisions in such a way that future visits of this type aren't needed.

Now go talk to your Bishop.

And don't wait for your next semi-annual interview, either.

You'll be glad you did.


I'm glad you've found some good friends!


- Bro Jo

PS:  Be very careful of something that I see as a trend in your email, namely:  justifying bad behavior.  There's no allowable excuse for sin.  We do it, sure, but under no circumstances is it "okay".