PAM - In one of the answers Joel gives regarding a question about abortion, Joel says "As far as we know a person can receive forgiveness for this sin (abortion)." Do you mean that Mormon doctrine says that there are sins that can not be forgiven? That is not what the Bible says! (Eph. 1:7, Luke 24:46-47) What can you tell me about Mormon doctrine on the issue of forgiveness?

JOEL - Here are the two scripture references you mentioned:

Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Luke 24:46
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Where in these scriptures does it say that "ALL" sins are forgiven. They only say that sins are forgiven.
Indeed, we can be forgiven for almost every sin. However, There are two sins that a person may not receive forgiveness for in this life through the atonement of Jesus. The first is murder or the shedding of innocent blood. Part of the repentance process that leads to forgiveness of a sin is the step called restoration or restitution; making right what was done wrong. Since man cannot restore a life, obtaining forgiveness in this life for murder, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, is impossible. However, the sinner may obtain another type of forgiveness which would first require punnishment for the sin by spending time in Hell. Then they may be able to be rescued from hell and still enter into heaven after the final judgement, as is in the case of David who had Uriah killed. David cried out to God, "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption(PSA 16:10).
Second, is what is called the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. To commit the unpardonable sin, a person must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him. As Mathew explains:

MAT 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

And as explained in Hebrews, figuratively speaking, those who have "tasted of the heavenly gift" but then have "fallen away, ...they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Heb. 6:4-6).

Of course Jesus is the final judge in all matters of repentence and forgiveness. We have been told to forgive everyone whether we think they deserve it or not.

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