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
