Can Mormons be forgiven of sins by bearing their testimonies?

Question

Dear Gramps,

I have heard a number of members say they are bearing their testimony because when they do their sins are forgiven. Is it this easy ? Or have these members been misled?

Confused but Hopeful

Answer

Dear Confused,

Looks to me like a vain hope. Testimony, a reaffirmation of the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, could actually invoke condemnation rather than forgiveness, unless the testimony were accompanied by true repentance. Perhaps these members are confusing public confession with testimony.

Gramps