Why Repent and Forgive?

When you think about it, repentance and forgiveness is something we relate to church either when teaching a lesson or when the situation presents itself the need to repent and forgive someone else. Personally, we need to be kind and forgive ourselves; Heavenly Father absolves us from our mistakes a lot sooner than we give Him credit. Thus, one needs to show mercy to oneself. Of course, it is easier said than done.

Historically, repentance and forgiveness have been regarded by social scientists as having religious issues only. However, since the 1990s, repentance and forgiveness have become increasingly prominent in professional literature. Mental health experts acknowledge that it is impossible to address emotional and physical well-being without considering the relevance of repentance and forgiveness. Likewise, the words of ancient and modern prophets affirm that repentance and remission of sin are central to the gospel plan.

From a religious perspective, the need for repentance is clear. Hundreds of years before Christ’s birth, King Benjamin taught that “salvation cometh to none . . . except it is through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Mosiah 3:12). President David O. McKay (1953), stated that no “principle or ordinance of the gospel” is “more essential to the salvation of the human family than the divine and eternally operative principle [of] repentance.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks (2003) identified the instruction to repent as the gospel’s “most frequent message” and defined repentance as transformation:

The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change. Repenting means giving up all of our practices—personal, family, ethnic, and national—that are contrary to the commandments of God. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change.

I solemnly, testify that the process of repentance, forgiveness, and atonement changes lives. Allowing our Savior through the atonement to help us become blameless before God is the choicest blessing. Only when one has gone through the steps of repentance can they experience the divine healing power of the spirit. I encourage all people everywhere to reconcile themselves with Heavenly Father daily. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Activity - Find a quiet place and pour your heart out to the Lord. Ask for strength, help and courage to repent honestly and sincerely. Ask Him to help you forgive yourself. Finally, ask Heavenly Father if He really loves you and to let you know in a way that you cannot deny it.

References

Watson, E., & Hendricks, H. M., (2016). Repentance and forgiveness in family life. In Hawkins, A. J., & Dollahite, D. C., & Draper, T. W., (Eds.), Success marriages and families – proclamation principles and research perspectives. pp. 201-210. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University