MORMON BELIEFS

Repentance

Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel in the Mormon Church. It reads: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are, first Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance…"1 Repentance is required of all mankind because all mankind sins everyday. In Ecclesiastes 7:20 it states that, "there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

Because of the great love that God has for each of His children, He has given us the principle of repentance. Mormons believe that repentance is the way provided for us to become free from our sins and receive forgiveness from God; Him being the only one that can grant that forgiveness. The privilege of repenting is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (atone = reconcile or return to harmony). Mormons do believe that Christ suffered the penalty for the sins of all mankind so that each can be forgiven if the repentance process is sincere.2

Repentance is easy or difficult, depending on the attitude and upon the seriousness of the sins one has committed (there are different sins that require different actions. In the Mormon Church, adultery, fornication and robbery, would need to be handled by the proper priesthood authority. Less serious sins would involve no one but the person and God.)

There are seven points to be made in regard to the repentance process. Mormons believe that these steps are:

1) recognizing that a sin has been committed. If there is no admission of

sin, then there is no repentance.

2) there must be a sincere regret for the sin committed, a feeling of regret

for something terribly done.

3) the sincere regret should lead one to not repeat the sin.

4) confessing the sin to God; confession releases the heavy burden of what

has been done and allowing God to carry the burden.

5) part of the repentance process is making restitution. Meaning, that as

much as possible, making right any wrong that was done.

6) forgiveness; Mormons are told in the Book of Mormon that 'God will

not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness,

and bad feelings against other people.3

7) the repentance process is complete when the obedience to all the

commandments of God are kept. A truly repentant person will have

a great desire to obey the laws of God. In the Mormon Church that

would mean, paying tithing, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, keeping

the Word of Wisdom, etc.

A truly repentant person is one whose life changes for the better.