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Hi all! I'm mainly doing this as a way to calm down. A coworker and I got in a heated discussion about Latter-Day Saint practices when it comes to this process. "Cult" was thrown around a lot and I just tried to be respectful but it didn't get rid of the pit in my heart. A few days ago a friend of mine were discussing her dating life. She was talking about finding someone who is Catholic or Christian for dating, even though she isn't a practicing Catholic currently. She grew up in a mixed home (dad is Catholic and mom was (I think) non-denominational), and didn't grow up actively attending church. I actually had to take her through some Catholic church history (I won't go through specifics here but for my Catholic or Orthodox posters I believe I did you justice) and some of the differences between Catholics and Orthodox. Somehow we got on the subject of confession and she wanted to talk to me about the differences between the two. I believe there are some gaps in my knowledge regarding this process, but I got through the basics fairly I believe. I think one of the things that I appreciate about the Catholic Confession (or Sacrament of Penance) is the simple thing of having someone saying outright that you are forgiven of the sins that you confessed to. In the LDS repentance process, at least in my case, there isn't really a point where someone really says this to you. You work through these things on your timing and have to come to terms with these sins and the process on your own. I think I have a flawed mindset of this because I'm very goal oriented. I like my steps. I go from step one to step ten and the goal is completed. I'm a bit more logical in that way. This is what LDS Bot had to say when I asked it to compare the two: Great question! Let's dive into some differences between Catholic confession and the LDS repentance process. Catholic Confession Sacrament of Penance: In Catholicism, confession is a sacrament called the Sacrament of Penance. It's one of the seven sacraments and a way to receive God's grace. Role of a Priest: Confession involves speaking to a priest who acts as an intermediary. The priest provides absolution, which is the forgiveness of sins in God's name. Frequency: Catholics are encouraged to confess their sins regularly, often before receiving the Eucharist. Ritual Elements: Confession typically includes an examination of conscience, contrition, confessing sins, receiving penance, and absolution. LDS Repentance Process Personal Process: In the Latter-day Saint faith, repentance is a personal process between the individual and God. It does not involve confession to a priest but may involve talking to a bishop for serious transgressions. Steps of Repentance: The process includes recognizing the sin, feeling godly sorrow, confessing to God and, when necessary, to the offended party, making restitution, and forsaking the sin. Ongoing Process: Repentance is considered a lifelong, continuous process. Members are encouraged to examine their lives regularly and make necessary changes. No Formal Sacrament: Unlike Catholics, Latter-day Saints do not have a formal sacrament of confession. Instead, repentance is integrated into their daily lives and church activities. Both processes are designed to help individuals come closer to God by seeking forgiveness and striving to live a more righteous life. They reflect the theological and ritual differences in how each faith understands the process of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. What are some misconceptions that you have had about the repentance process? For my Catholic posters, what are some things about the Sacrament of Penance that you find most interesting or that I have misrepresented in any way?