THE DIVINE GIFT OF REPENTANCE Summary

181st Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Saturday afternoon, April 2011

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Elder Christofferson teaches the concept of repentance as a valued divine gift powerfully, with his witness of the love and mercy manifest in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He tutors, “Repentance exists as an option only because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that “bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15). Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which ‘mercy can satisfy the demands of justice’ (Alma 34:16).

He instructs, “Five aspects of this fundamental gospel principle [are:]

      First, the invitation to repent is an expression of love . . .  

      Second, repentance means striving to change. . . .  

      Third, repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience . . .

      Fourth, repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain. . . . Any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression.

      Fifth, whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness.

Favorite Quotes:

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“ The invitation to repent is an expression of love . . . inviting all who [will] to qualify to join [Jesus] ‘and enjoy . . . eternal life [itself] in the world to come” (Moses 6:59). If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty. . . . Guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring (see D&C 121:43–44).” (Emphasis mine.)

“With repentance we can steadily improve in our capacity to live the celestial law, for we recognize that ‘he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory’ (D&C 88:22).”

“Only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace.” (Emphasis mine.)

“Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience. . . . Without this covenant, repentance remains incomplete and the remission of sins unattained. . . . [Scriptures] speaks repeatedly of . . . ‘baptism of or unto repentance’ [referencing] baptism with its covenant of obedience [as] the capstone of repentance. With full repentance, including baptism, one is qualified for the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and it is by the Holy Ghost that one receives the baptism of the Spirit (see John 3:5) and forgiveness of sins . . . (2 Nephi 31:17).” (Emphasis mine.)

So What?   

“We live in a time not long before the advent of Jesus Christ—in our case, the time of preparation for His Second Coming. . . . When prophets come crying repentance, it ‘throws cold water on the party.’ But in reality . . . [they] should be received with joy. Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. . . . Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.”

"We all need to continuously strive to accept this divine gift Elder Christofferson teaches. It “requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain, [but] . . . any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression.”

“With faith in the merciful Redeemer and His power, potential despair turns to hope. One’s very heart and desires change, and the once-appealing sin becomes increasingly abhorrent. A resolve to abandon and forsake the sin and to repair, as fully as one possibly can, the damage he or she has caused now forms in that new heart.”

“The incomprehensible suffering, death, and Resurrection of our Lord ‘bringeth to pass the condition of repentance’ (Helaman 14:18). The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter. . . . In accepting [the Savior’s] invitation (‘repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ Matthew 4:17), you will find joy both now and forever.”