Friday, June 12, 2020

Marion G. Romney on God using Human Agents to be Instrumental Means of Forgiveness of Sins

Speaking of confession of sins (cf. D&C 64:7; John 20:23), Marion G. Romney said the following in his October 1955 General Conference talk:

 

My brothers and sisters, there are many among us whose distress and suffering are unnecessarily prolonged because they do not complete their repentance by confessing their sins . . .

 

I would assume that we are to confess all our sins unto the Lord. For transgressions which are wholly personal, affecting none but ourselves and the Lord, such confession would seem to be sufficient.

 

For misconduct which offends another, confession should also be made to the offended one, and his forgiveness sought.

 

Finally, where one's transgressions are of such a nature as would, unrepented of, put in jeopardy his right to membership or fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ, full and effective confession would, in my judgment, require confession by the repentant sinner to his bishop or other proper presiding Church officer—not that the Church officer could forgive the sin (this power rests in the Lord himself and those only to whom he specifically delegates it) but rather that the Church, acting through its duly appointed officers, might with full knowledge of the facts take such action with respect to Church discipline as the circumstances merit.

 

One having forsaken his sins and, by proper confession, cleared his conduct with the Lord, with the people he has offended, and with the Church of Jesus Christ, where necessary, may with full confidence seek the Lord's forgiveness and go forth in newness of life, relying upon the merits of Christ. (Conference Report, October 1955, pp. 124-125, emphasis added)

 

On this issue of God using human agents as instrumental (not the efficient) cause of forgiveness, see Chapter 5: Insights into John 20:23, Christology, and the Confessing of Sins (pp. 78-89) of my book, After the Order of the Son of God: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Latter-day Saint Theology of the Priesthood (an online version of this chapter can be found on my blog here)