Duncan Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) I don't want to get into the mumbo jumbo mental hoo-hash I firmly believed as a teen about the whole issue of repentance and forgiveness. My question is how do you know you are forgiven? Are you supposed to feel something? Edited January 16, 2012 by Duncan
altersteve Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 It's always felt like a weight being lifted off my shoulders for me. And it's a very real feeling, accompanied by feelings of immense peace and joy that I could not describe. That's my experience.
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 I spoke about this yesterday in Priesthood. I gained great peace when I came to the conclusion that I should be as willing to forget others offenses as readily as I wanted Christ to wipe out mine.I'd say that forgiveness is much like feeling the Holy Spirit in other contexts. We need to be receptive and with forgiveness part of that is being willing to forgive ourselves and trust and know that Christ has taken our burden away. Some scars obtained (or self imposed) in this life may sting until the final calling to account with God in the next life. That does not mean we are not forgiven. It just means it takes time to heal.
bluebell Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 I believe that you know you're forgiven by the Lord when you have felt sincere and godly sorrow for the sin (sorrow that comes from having separated yourself from God and not only for the physical consequences of the sin or getting 'caught'), have gone through the steps of repentance, and have had a true change of heart, becoming a new person who wouldn't readily commit the sin again because true spiritual growth and maturity has been gained.Often even after forgiveness though the guilt for sins lingers and it can be easy to wonder if the presence of the guilt means that there has been no forgiveness by the Lord. In such cases i think it's important to remember that guilt is normal when true sorrow is felt for an action, that unless it's accompanied by revelation through the Holy GHost that repentance has been incomplete in some way it's not coming from God, and that forgiving ourselves of our weaknesses is important and something that needs to be worked on if guilt continues to linger. 1
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 Well said Bluebell. I have counseled many faithful Brethren and Sisters who completed their repentance process up unto the point of remembering they were forgiven by Christ - and forgiving themselves.Remorse is a great tool for bringing us unto repentance. However carrying it around once it has been useful it makes for heavier than necessary baggage.
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 P.S. I was tempted to answer... "you are supposed to feel forgiven". But that probably wouldn't be useful or nice.
Duncan Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 just for the record, I haven't committed any sins large or small by any stretch, not perfect either, just a wonderin!
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 just for the record, I haven't committed any sins large or small by any stretch, not perfect either, just a wonderin!Can being Canadian be forgiven?
Duncan Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 Can being Canadian be forgiven? well, inasmuch as I do live in the Celestial Kingdom the next time I see God at the supper Buffet Line I will ask him!
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 well, inasmuch as I do live in the Celestial Kingdom the next time I see God at the supper Buffet Line I will ask him!Put in a good word for me. (And does this mean I need to invest in winter wear for my resurrection)?
Duncan Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 Put in a good word for me. (And does this mean I need to invest in winter wear for my resurrection)?nah-you did give us your hockey team so you're allright
KevinG Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 nah-you did give us your hockey team so you're allrightI was trying to avoid bringing this up on the pet peeve thread. We don't know what to do with a hockey team in the South anyway. The players keep complaining about the ice being too thin in Georgia.(For those not in on the ongoing joke Duncan's home town purchased our local Atlanta hockey franchise and returned it to the Great White North where it will probably thrive better).
Duncan Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 I was trying to avoid bringing this up on the pet peeve thread. We don't know what to do with a hockey team in the South anyway. The players keep complaining about the ice being too thin in Georgia.(For those not in on the ongoing joke Duncan's home town purchased our local Atlanta hockey franchise and returned it to the Great White North where it will probably thrive better).yep! I am hoping they make the playoffs this year but we will see. Our football team got to the final but lost to the Barfbag team where Freedom is from (in hopes he doesn't read this!)
CV75 Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 I don't want to get into the mumbo jumbo mental hoo-hash I firmly believed as a teen about the whole issue of repentance and forgiveness. My question is how do you know you are forgiven? Are you supposed to feel something?I like bluebell's answer; I'd only add from my experieince that you feel "greater" than you did before--you feel the doctrine of the pristhood distilling upon your soul, you feel more forgiving, more loving, more inclined and happy to serve, etc.
rpn Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I've known people who had experiences where they really knew they were forgiven. I know of others who don't have such vivid confirmation and others who think He might not have until they are told in a blessing or some other way that He has. I think those who have a tough time with feelings in general, with trust, with stuffing feelings, or others with a physical reason for not feeling (like PTSD or Aspergers) may not say they have ever gotten a feeling that they were forgiven. Some people carry the weight around until they KNOW. Others get cognitive behavioral therapy and refuse to accept unearned guilt and are glad to know, but live their lives they best they can, making KNOWING not so important to their existence.
Hamba Tuhan Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Elder Oaks spoke at a YSA fireside I attended a few years ago, and he gave a simple answer. Sin interferes with out ability to feel the Spirit. The indication that the burden of our sin has been lifted is that we can again feel the influence of the Spirit in our lives. The separation has been healed.
The Nehor Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Can being Canadian be forgiven? When I realized Canadians could be forgiven I realized the true depth of the atonement. 1
katherine the great Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I think we should definitely feel happier. If we still feel heavy and laden down with sin even after we feel we have sincerely repented, maybe we haven't forgiven ourselves. If we don't have faith that God will forgive us when we repent, we are kind of showing a lack of faith in the atonement. In that case, I recommend reading Believing Christ by Stephen Robinson. 1
bluebell Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I think we should definitely feel happier. If we still feel heavy and laden down with sin even after we feel we have sincerely repented, maybe we haven't forgiven ourselves. If we don't have faith that God will forgive us when we repent, we are kind of showing a lack of faith in the atonement. In that case, I recommend reading Believing Christ by Stephen Robinson.I love that book.
Duncan Posted January 17, 2012 Author Posted January 17, 2012 (edited) All good answers! Except for Nehor-with 11% of Mormons believing in reincarnation, you very well may come back to life living in Alberta-statiscally unlikely but bone up on rodeo life Edited January 17, 2012 by Duncan
Ticketyboo Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Hi Duncan,On the several occassions that I've helped others through the repentance process, the sweet spirit that accompanies that process has been tangible & profound.
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