Repentance. The punishment for the crime.

Or so my 13-year-old self thought.

I had done something wrong, and I was trying to remember the “steps” that I needed to go through to repent.

And once I went through all the correct steps, then I’d be okay again.

This was just the punishment.

I don’t think I’m alone in admitting that this was what I thought repentance was.

“The thing” you have to go through to pay for the crime.

And it’s probably the place I’ve seen the most spiritual maturity in my current life.

I love that there has been an emphasis more recently that repentance is really a positive action that brings us closer to the Savior!

The Lord spoke to Joseph in D&C 5:21:

“And now I command you, my servant Joseph, to repent and walk more uprightly before me,”

Did you catch that?

When Joseph repents, then he can walk more uprightly!

I just picture that heavy load of guilt and pain being lifted off of weary shoulders so that he can stand up straight and get back to work!

Elder Dale G. Renlund put this in great perspective when he taught:

“The fact that we can repent is the good news of the gospel!

“Guilt can be ‘swept away.’ We can be freed from feelings of despair and the bondage of sin. We can be filled with the marvelous light of God and be ‘pained no more.’

“Repentance is not only possible but also joyful because of our Savior.”

Oh man, doesn’t repentance sound awesome?!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Keep Studying

Related Posts

Are you elect? 

I used to think that the most “elect” daughters and sons of God were people He had chosen before coming to earth to be more

Toxic positivity 

I’ve been seeing A LOT of people talking online recently about the dangers of toxic positivity. ⁣ And I love it. ⁣ In case you

Stretchy yoga pants 

As soon as I realize I don’t need to leave the house for the rest of the day… I quickly change into stretchy, cozy yoga

The tough 6th grader 

“Oh yeah, I don’t put up with any of his nonsense. I just call him out for it in front of everyone.”⁣ This is the

Know your stewardship

When I write spiritual thoughts on social media or in my emails, I do my best to have the Spirit with me. It makes it