Can a leader share too much about personal sin?

I’ve recently discussed the importance of leaders talking more openly about their personal struggles and the reasons why they need repentance from sin just like everyone else.

The temptation is to keep struggles with sin vague and to not get too specific.

So, instead of speaking generally: “We all need to repent,” we should tell our story more fully and articulate the struggle we’ve had overcoming sin, thus giving people a view of our humanity.

But isn’t there a line that shouldn’t be crossed in sharing our story?

I can’t think of one.

Should a bishop not talk about a past struggle with pornography and how he overcame it through Jesus Christ?

Should King David’s story never have been told?

Should a Young Women president not talk about her struggles with morality as a teenager until she finally turned to the Savior for help?

Did Alma the Younger’s story include too many details?

What about the bishopric member who currently struggles with questions of faith?

Many of us worry that if such struggles or weaknesses are shared, it will somehow give others (especially youth) permission to sin.

That is a false assumption.

Let me reframe the discussion this way:

As a leader, is it possible to tell a personal story of discipleship without including the moments of redemption where you surrendered to Jesus Christ for help and healing?

Or, does your personal story sound like YOU always did everything right and that’s why your life is working out so well?

It’s great that many Latter-day Saints have strong examples of leaders who went on a mission, graduated from college, married in the temple, actively served in the church, always kept the Word of Wisdom, remained temple worthy, etc.

But we can’t guide people to Christ if we can’t help others see how we were also led to Christ when things weren’t going so well.

We can’t claim to be fixed by Christ, if we can’t show in what ways we were first broken, in need of Christ’s redemption.

Without Jesus Christ, all are completely lost, eternally damned, and unable to reach heaven.

Does your story of discipleship confirm this truth?

Is there a time a leader shouldn’t share their personal struggles with sin?

I don’t think so—as long as Christ is shown as the answer to those sins.

In short, we need to figure out how to shift the discussion from “I figured out my life” to “Christ figured out my life.” He experienced all things and knows how to succor, lift, and redeem.

Is there a line leaders shouldn’t cross?

I’d love to hear examples of when someone has shared too much.

Sincerely,

Kurt Francom

Executive Director

Leading Saints

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