Dirty linen of sin not to be washed in public
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
The dirty linen of sin, one's own and that of others, should not be washed in public, but through proper order and repentance, said Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the Seventy during the Saturday morning session.
He recounted from the Book of Mormon how Alma, the leader of the Church, pled with the Lord to know what to do when some members fell into sin. Alma's answer was that it is the Lord who will judge.
"Forgiveness of sin depends on Him, not on us," said Elder Mickelsen. "So the next time we are tempted to hang dirty linen in public, let us remember:
"First, go to the Lord.
"Second, go to the one we have offended.
"Third, if necessary, go to our judge in Israel and then put it away."
Elder Mickelsen continued: "Another side of exposing dirty linen is the carnal insatiable appetite that some have to expose the faults of others."
He asked, "What should we do when we have knowledge of others' problems?"
The answer: "1. Don't judge. Leave judgment to the Lord, the perfect judge. Let us not examine or explore others' sins but look to their divinity. It is not ours to delve into others' problems, rather to perceive the breadth of their spirituality.
"2. We must forgive. Although we may have been personally wounded, the Lord said: 'I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men' (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10).
"3. Forget. A relentless memory can canker the most resilient spirit. Leave it alone, lay it down, put it away."
He then added: "If the wave of temptation to reveal others' sins comes over you, don't tell your neighbor or even your best friend. Go to your bishop. Leave the burden with him. If it is required, report it to the civil or criminal authorities, and then leave it alone."
Because of the Atonement of the Savior, the process of cleaning the dirty linen of sin begins with repentance, Elder Mickelsen reiterated. "The promise of the Lord is that He will cleanse our garments with His blood. He gave His life and suffered for all our sins. He can redeem us from our personal fall."
