Feeling Guilty About Past Sins

Dear Bro Jo,

Hi Bro Jo!

So I have a question for you.

I got into some things about 6 years ago that I needed to repent for with my Bishop.

It took a while to repent of them but I haven't done the said things since.

I went to my Bishop again today because I am planning on going on a mission and I'm having guilty feelings of the things from before, again I haven't done these things since, but I'm feeling so guilty and inadequate about them . . .like I haven't really repented of them...

I don't know what to do about these feelings.

Any advice..?

- Worried




Dear Worried,

Yes:  Trust the Savior and the Atonement.

You repented, including having turned away from the sinful behavior.

That's it.

You're done.

Now, look, I think guilt (or rather, "remembering what we did wrong") can be a helpful and powerful thing if it reminds us not to do those things again.

Be still. The Lord is with thee.

Be not afraid.

- Bro Jo



Dear Readers,

Satan works very hard to make us feel like we're not good enough to do good things.  Don't fall for that trap!

Whenever you feel like you can't or shouldn't do the things that Heavenly Father wants you to do, those thoughts and feelings are from the adversary.

Remember that, please.

By the way . . . I'm fairly certain that this original letter writer not only served a good a faithful mission, but is now Married for Time and All Eternity.

Perhaps that will inspire . . .

- Bro Jo