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#Post#: 4--------------------------------------------------
From "True to the Faith"
DIR By: RickBulow
Date: July 18, 2023, 12:44 pm
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(from:
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/repentance?lang=eng
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/repentance?lang=eng)
Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel (see
Articles of Faith 1:4). It is essential to your happiness in
this life and throughout eternity. Repentance is much more than
just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart
that gives you a fresh view about God, about yourself, and about
the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God
for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere
desire to obey His commandments.
<b>The Need for Repentance</b>
The Lord has declared that “no unclean thing can inherit the
kingdom of heaven” (Alma 11:37). Your sins make you
unclean—unworthy to return and dwell in the presence of your
Heavenly Father. They also bring anguish to your soul in this
life.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father has
provided the only way for you to be forgiven of your sins (see
“Forgiveness,” pages 70–72). Jesus Christ suffered the penalty
for your sins so you can be forgiven if you sincerely repent. As
you repent and rely on His saving grace, you will be cleansed
from sin. He declared:
--- Quote ---
>
> “I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod
of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your
sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know
not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.
>
> “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that
they might not suffer if they would repent;
>
> “But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;</p>
>
> “Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all,
to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to
suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the
bitter cup, and shrink—
>
> “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and
finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D&C
19:15–19).
>
--- End Quote ---
<b>The Danger of Procrastinating Repentance</b>
Do not rationalize your sins or put off repentance. Amulek
warned: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;
yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform
their labors. … I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate
the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of
life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we
do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the
night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed” (Alma
34:32–33).
<b>Elements of Repentance</b>
Repentance is a painful process, but it leads to forgiveness and
lasting peace. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said,
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah
1:18). In this dispensation the Lord has promised, “He who has
repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord,
remember them no more” (D&C 58:42). Repentance includes the
following elements:
1.) Faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
The power of sin is great. To become free from it, you must turn
to your Heavenly Father and pray in faith. Satan may try to
convince you that you are not worthy to pray—that Heavenly
Father is so displeased with you that He will never hear your
prayers. This is a lie. Your Father in Heaven is always ready to
help you if you will come to Him with a repentant heart. He has
the power to heal you and to help you triumph over sin.
Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ—an acknowledgment
of the power of His Atonement. Remember that you can be forgiven
only on His terms. As you gratefully recognize His Atonement and
His power to cleanse you from sin, you are able to “exercise
your faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:17).
2.) Sorrow for Sin.
In order to be forgiven, you must first acknowledge within
yourself that you have sinned. If you are striving to live the
gospel, such an acknowledgment will lead to “godly sorrow,”
which “worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Godly sorrow does not come because of the natural consequences
of sin or because of a fear of punishment; rather, it comes from
the knowledge that you have displeased your Heavenly Father and
your Savior. When you experience godly sorrow, you have a
sincere desire for change and a willingness to submit to every
requirement for forgiveness.
3.) Confession.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs
28:13). Essential to forgiveness is a willingness to disclose
fully to your Heavenly Father all that you have done. Kneel
before Him in humble prayer, acknowledging your sins. Confess
your shame and guilt, and then plead for help.
Serious transgressions, such as violations of the law of
chastity, may jeopardize your membership in the Church.
Therefore, you need to confess these sins to both the Lord and
His representatives in the Church. This is done under the care
of your bishop or branch president and possibly your stake or
mission president, who serve as watchmen and judges in the
Church. While only the Lord can forgive sins, these priesthood
leaders play a critical role in the process of repentance. They
will keep your confession confidential and help you throughout
the process of repentance. Be completely honest with them. If
you partially confess, mentioning only lesser mistakes, you will
not be able to resolve a more serious, undisclosed
transgression. The sooner you begin this process, the sooner you
will find the peace and joy that come with the miracle of
forgiveness.
4.) Abandonment of Sin.
Although confession is an essential element of repentance, it is
not enough. The Lord has said, “By this ye may know if a man
repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake
them” (D&C 58:43).
Maintain an unyielding, permanent resolve that you will never
repeat the transgression. When you keep this commitment, you
will never experience the pain of that sin again.
Flee immediately from any dangerous situation. If a certain
situation causes you to sin or may cause you to sin, leave. You
cannot linger in temptation and expect to overcome sin.
5.) Restitution.
You must restore as far as possible all that has been damaged by
your actions, whether that is someone’s property or someone’s
good reputation. Willing restitution shows the Lord that you
will do all you can to repent.
<b>Righteous Living.</b>
It is not enough to simply try to resist evil or empty your life
of sin. You must fill your life with righteousness and engage in
activities that bring spiritual power. Immerse yourself in the
scriptures. Pray daily for the Lord to give you strength beyond
your own. At times, fast for special blessings.
Full obedience brings the complete power of the gospel into your
life, including increased strength to overcome your weaknesses.
This obedience includes actions you might not initially consider
part of repentance, such as attending meetings, paying tithing,
giving service, and forgiving others. The Lord promised, “He
that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be
forgiven” (D&C 1:32).
<b>Additional references</b>: Luke 15:11–32; 2 Nephi 9:19–24;
Mosiah 4:1–3, 10–13; 26:30–31; D&C 18:10–16
<b>See also</b>: Atonement of Jesus Christ; Baptism; Church
Disciplinary Councils; Faith; Forgiveness; Plan of Salvation;
Sin; Temptation
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