Are Consequences and Repentance Required for Worthiness?
LDS Mormon Quotes
Why Are Consequences Helpful?
If Alma the younger never felt the pains of hell, and was racked with
the eternal torment in remembrance of all his sins, do you think he would
have had such a great change of heart? Would he have understood all that
he had done wrong? I myself never would have gotten sober without going through the pains of hell.
Many times bishops, leaders and loved ones unknowingly enable an addicts addiction which can cause them to believe their trangression wasnt serious ---ie. "I can look at pornography and still go to the temple and take sacrament? Oh, what I did must not be that bad". Leaders and loved ones may think they are helping by encouraging the addict to continue going to the temple or taking the sacrament despite a recent relapse, slip, or discovery of ones sexual sins, but instead they may be unknowingly hurting them. Remember consequences are for our benefit. They are good and can help bring about lasting change.
What Can Church Leaders Do to Help?
"The bishop represents the Lord
in extending forgiveness for the Church. At times he must administer bitter
medicine. Alma told Corianton, “Now, repentance could not come unto men except
there were a punishment” (Alma 42:16). I would not want to live in a world
where there was no repentance, and if punishment is a condition of that, I will
willingly accept that. There is the idea abroad that one can send a postcard of
prayer and receive in return full forgiveness and be ready at once for a
mission or for marriage in the temple. Not so. There are payments to be made.
If a bishop offers comfort only and, in misguided kindness, seeks to relieve
you of the painful but healing process in connection with repentance, he will
not serve you well."
