I Was Scared to Talk to My Bishop—How Would He React?

By Jared Acabado

I’d been making poor choices. But when I spoke with my bishop, all I felt was comfort.

When I was living on my own for the first time, I felt a new sense of freedom.

I’d moved to the Philippines to start school, and flying home was expensive, so I only visited once a year to renew my visa. Without my family’s faithful influence nearby, I gradually drifted from the gospel.

I started smoking, drinking, and doing other things I’d been taught were against God’s commandments.

Remembering Who I Am

At first, I didn’t care. I saw the Church’s rules as restrictive. I still went to church, but deep down I felt unworthy and stopped taking the sacrament for months.

Then COVID-19 hit, putting a halt to all my pursuits. Around the same time, I learned something shocking: I’m adopted. My parents had never told me, and I went through a bit of an identity crisis.

I felt distant from everything I’d once believed. I knew I needed to figure out who I truly was again. When I finally went home, I opened up to my parents about everything—including the choices I had been making. Instead of scolding me, they responded with love. They reminded me who I truly am: their son and a beloved son of God.

Help in Changing

I wanted to change. My parents encouraged me to talk to my bishop, begin the repentance process, and rely on the Savior’s redeeming power.

But I was afraid! I was worried about being punished or judged for my choices. I normally don’t care what people think of me, but my bishop was such an amazing man, and I didn’t want to disappoint him by telling him what I had done.

But as Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy taught: “Don’t hide from those who will love and support you; rather, run to them. Good bishops, branch presidents, and leaders can help you access the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

Bishops “hold priesthood keys to represent the Lord in helping Church members repent.” Instead of facing harsh judgment when I spoke with him, all I felt in my bishop’s office was comfort. I realized the Lord trusted him to help me, and I felt I could trust him too.

My bishop encouraged me to learn about the Savior and His Atonement by building spiritual habits. I met with my bishop regularly, and he called me every week to check in. I felt so loved every time I talked with him.

The Gift of Repentance

Eventually, with my bishop’s help, I stepped away from the vices in my life. Still, I was nervous about taking the sacrament again. Was I really worthy—even after all the work I’d done?

But my bishop reassured me. He reminded me that I didn’t have to be perfect—just willing. I was doing my best, and the Savior knew that and would continue to forgive me as I relied on His gift of repentance.

Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, recently taught, “Coming unto Christ is saying, ‘Will you help me?’ with hope, a revealed assurance that His arms are extended to you always.”

After this experience, I started to renew my covenants through the sacrament with confidence. I felt like a new person, with a new sense of who I really am and what I am capable of doing with the Lord’s help. I even served a mission because after witnessing how much the Savior’s gift of redemption had changed my life, I wanted to help others find the hope He gives me every day.

The commandments aren’t restrictive—they exist because God wants us to succeed, to grow, and to escape the trap of sin. The center of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the love He and Heavenly Father have for us. Because I experience that perfect love, I am striving to become more like Them.

Their gift of repentance fills my life with joy.