It should be borne in mind that all consultation is aimed at
arriving at a solution to a problem and is quite different from the sort of
group baring of the soul that is popular in some circles these days and which
borders on the kind of confession that is forbidden in the faith. On the
subject of confession the Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf to an
individual believer: "We are forbidden to confess to any person, as do the
Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to do so in public,
as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire to acknowledge
we have been wrong in something, or that we have some fault of character, and
ask another person's forgiveness or pardon, we are quite free to do so. The
Guardian wants to point out, however, that we are not obliged to do so. It
rests entirely with the individual."
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written by the
Universal House of Justice, 19 March 1973 to the National Spiritual Assembly of
Canada) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Consultation)
