Lisa H. gave a great lesson from the talk by D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance". Lisa started off by telling us how Elder Christofferson felt that "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." Lisa with tongue in cheek, says that repentance is not a principle that she often thinks of as one to smile about. Many other Gospel topics, such as peace, eternal life have a positive connotation and are easy to associate with smiling. "As in the days of Nehor and Korihor, we live in a time not long before the advent of Jesus Christ—in our case, the time of preparation for His Second Coming. And similarly, the message of repentance is often not welcomed. " Mormon 8:35 "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing." Lisa testified that she knows that the prophets in the Book of Mormon saw our day and knew what we would have to face.
Alma 1:4 "And he also testified unto the people that aall mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they bneed not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had ccreated all men, and had also dredeemed eall men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life." Dawne Hollis commented that she likes the newer idea that sins are mistakes that can be corrected; it's a less harsh way of looking at sin. Lisa commented that it is important to remember that it is common in our world today that it is ok to sin. However, we know that "the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." (Alma 45:16) The scripture Alma 30:17 was then shared "And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man afared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; andbwhatsoever a man did was cno crime." We are reminded that wickedness never was happiness.
Elder Christofferson gives us 5 aspects of the principle of repentance.
1. The invitation is an expression of love. Lisa then quoted, "A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help." Kathryn L. made a comment about her brother who had taken over as bishop. When he was called he was told that many people's progression in the gospel had been stopped because they had not been called to repentance or asked to take appropriate actions to repent of their sins. Alison H. said she knew a friend that who had believed that confessing a belief in Christ was sufficient to receive forgiveness for a life of racism. Lisa H. also commented that it is important for us to refrain from judging others and their need to repent. Jennifer G. says that hesitancy to admit mistakes shows a lack of faith in Atonement. Oftentimes people pretend there's no sin, because they don't believe in a Savior. Lisa H. continued on the thread, emphasizing the importance of incorporating love when calling people to repent. Sarah G. asked the RS how to explain sin to those who are not religious. Lisa expressed that God's laws are not man's laws. Sara D. expressed that no one is perfect and it can be hard to hear about sin from others who sin. A visitor commented that she explains sin to her husband, who is not a member, as "anything that keeps us from the light of Christ." Carolina G. said that we are people of covenants. Marguerite H. said that it's least effective to point out what others are doing wrong, we should point to the Savior. We should approach with two strategies (1) I'm trying to do something that will improve me, will you help me do it?" and (2) Ask them to bless someone else. Hearts will soften when you ask someone to help others. Jennifer G. said her brother explains sin to his daughter with OCD, that sin is to put your faith in something less than Christ and that repentance is a renewal in the faith in Christ.
2. Repentance means striving to change. Quote by Boyd K. Packer Becoming Christlike is a slow process. Not all of repentance will be a momentary experience that change our lives. Most of us will experience and feel repentance more subtly.
3. Repentance means not only abandoning sin, but also committing to obedience. Lisa emphasized that we forever follow only on path to God. She then posed the question, "Are there any bridges that we can burn? Do we leave any escape paths for our sins?" Liz B. commented that the bridge she'd like to burn is blame and how it can ruin relationships. Cristy D. that sometimes we pray for forgiveness not promising to God that we won't do it again. Allowing ourselves an "out". Grace D. It's important not to blame others and point fingers, but focus on solving the problem.
4. Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to perservere, even through pain. Christ is the perfect example of this. Lisa shared D&C 58:43 "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will aconfess them and bforsake them."
5. Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness. D&C 19:16-18 For behold, I, God, have asuffered these things for all, that they might not bsuffer if they would crepent. But if they would not repent they must asuffer even as I. Which asuffering 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 bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink. Lisa ended with, It's not always easy, but worth the end result.
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