If I sin a bunch in high school...?

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My companion and I let another pair of missionaries borrow our car to go to the Sealing (or Eternal Marriage) of one of their parents. We had their car for the day and were sure to not drive it too much and keep it clean. We were driving in for dinner when my companion mentioned we should get them gas before returning the car. We went to the Kroger by our house and filled up.

On the way home after that we realized we forgot to get the receipt, which we are required to collect for paperwork using mission vehicles. Instead of filling in the lost receipt form, we decided to go back and try getting it.

"Hey are y'all carrying bibles?"

On our way to the register at the gas station, someone called out asking if we were carrying bibles. I said yes and walked right up to his truck and shook his hand. After introductions, he explained to me that he had a question. It took him a while to word it, but it boiled down to this: “If I sin a bunch in high school, what does that mean for the rest of my life and the hereafter? If I just say I’m saved am I fine? Am I going to hell?”

My companion and I explained this:
No, just saying you believe in Jesus Christ isn’t enough, you also have to believe what He said which involves doing. He explained lots of things to do in the scriptures. One of those is not doing that sin you mentioned. The reason Christ died for us was to cleanse us from those sins. Sinning will have a negative impact on your life, but Christ can change you. A prophet Alma explained this same concern to his son Corianton in these chapters of this book here. (Alma Chapters 39 through 42)
I then showed him how the Book of Mormon has the answer to his question and gave him a copy.
I also know that sinning doesn't make us happy, following God does. He has given us commandments to help us follow the path to happiness. When we repent and allow Jesus to wash those sins from our lives we come closer to happiness. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ means we will live again, we can be cleansed from sin, we can be healed, and we can find peace.

"You have to believe what He said"

God saw a young man who while believing, didn’t know who to turn to when he made a mistake. What he had been taught was not sufficient to address his concern. He didn't know to whom to turn. God sent my companion and I back there to cross paths with him at this critical time in his life. God cares about him and sent an answer to his plea.