Repentance
Repentance is a gift from Christ brought about by His sacrifice. I am forever grateful for my elder brother. Repentance is necessary to our exaltation. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes and we must pay the consequences for them. No matter how hard we try, inevitably we will mess up, we are human. However, we always have repentance to turn to. Heavenly Father is always there to support us and to welcome us home. This is part of the bargain we agreed to when we came to earth. We are tried and tested; often we fail. But all is not lost, because of Christ, when we turn to Him, we can find peace and understanding.
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"Whenever we disobey, we spiritually paint ourselves into a corner and are captive to our choices. Though we are spiritually stuck, there is always a way back. Like repentance, turning around and walking across a newly varnished floor means more work—a lot of resanding and refinishing! Returning to the Lord isn’t easy, but it is worth it."
Robert D. Hales, October 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
Robert D. Hales, October 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
"As we understand the challenge of repenting, we appreciate the blessings of the Holy Ghost to guide our agency and Heavenly Father, who gives us commandments and strengthens and sustains us in keeping them. We also understand how obedience to the commandments ultimately protects our agency."
Robert D. Hales, October 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
Robert D. Hales, October 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
"Each Sunday we renew that baptismal covenant by partaking of the sacrament and witnessing that we are willing to keep the commandments. We seek forgiveness for any thoughts, feelings, or actions that are not in harmony with our Heavenly Father’s will. As we repent by turning away from disobedience and by beginning to obey again, we show our love for Him."
Robert D. Hales, April 2014 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/if-ye-love-me-keep-my-commandments?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
Robert D. Hales, April 2014 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/if-ye-love-me-keep-my-commandments?lang=eng&query=agency#watch=video
"An individual with foundation standards and an enduring commitment to obey them is not easily led astray. Someone who is increasingly repulsed by grievous sin and who exercises self-restraint outside human influence has character. Repentance will be more efficacious for such an individual. A feeling of remorse after a mistake is a fertile soil wherein repentance can flower."
Richard G. Scott, October 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&query=pornography
Richard G. Scott, October 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&query=pornography
"Most people in trouble end up crying, “What was I thinking?” Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren’t thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to “always remember him.” 8 So let us work a little harder at remembering Him—especially that He has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … , [that] he was bruised for our iniquities … ; and with his stripes we are healed.” 9 Surely it would guide our actions in a dramatic way if we remembered that every time we transgress, we hurt not only those we love, but we also hurt Him, who so dearly loves us. But if we do sin, however serious that sin may be, we can be rescued by that same majestic figure, He who bears the only name given under heaven whereby any man or woman can be saved. 10 When confronting our transgressions and our souls are harrowed up with true pain, may we all echo the repentant Alma and utter his life-changing cry: “O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.”"
Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng&query=pornography
Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng&query=pornography
"When we face such temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, “[I will] give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng&query=pornography
Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng&query=pornography
"For those who suffer from a poisonous snakebite, there is a painful cleansing process. Where the bite was inflicted, a cut with a sharp knife is required. Then, someone must cleanse the infected blood from the wound. Often a stay in the hospital is required. My plea to you tonight, brethren, is to avoid petting that rattlesnake. It is much better not to commit the sin."
David E. Sorensen, April 2001 General Conference, Priesthood Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/you-can-t-pet-a-rattlesnake?lang=eng&query=pornography
David E. Sorensen, April 2001 General Conference, Priesthood Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/you-can-t-pet-a-rattlesnake?lang=eng&query=pornography
"If you or someone you know has been poisoned spiritually, there is a spiritual snakebite kit. It’s called repentance. 12 And like the remedy for temporal snakebite, it is most effective if applied quickly and early. It can combat even the most venomous spiritual poisons. “For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.” The miracle of forgiveness is real. Your repentance is honored of the Lord."
David E. Sorensen, April 2001 General Conference, Priesthood Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/you-can-t-pet-a-rattlesnake?lang=eng&query=pornography
David E. Sorensen, April 2001 General Conference, Priesthood Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/you-can-t-pet-a-rattlesnake?lang=eng&query=pornography
"Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.8 The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.
"C. S. Lewis, the striving, pragmatic Christian writer, poignantly framed the issue. He asserted that Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness; but until people know and feel they need forgiveness, Christianity does not speak to them. He stated, “When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor.”"
Quentin L. Cook, October 2012 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng&query=pornography
"C. S. Lewis, the striving, pragmatic Christian writer, poignantly framed the issue. He asserted that Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness; but until people know and feel they need forgiveness, Christianity does not speak to them. He stated, “When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor.”"
Quentin L. Cook, October 2012 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng&query=pornography
"If any has stumbled in her journey, there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift. The path may be difficult, but the promise is real: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” “And I will remember [them] no more.” "
Thomas S. Monson, April 2009 General Conference, General Young Women Meeting
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/may-you-have-courage?lang=eng&query=%22patriarchal+blessing%22
Thomas S. Monson, April 2009 General Conference, General Young Women Meeting
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/may-you-have-courage?lang=eng&query=%22patriarchal+blessing%22