Repentance

Repentance is the second principle of the gospel. Our faith in Jesus Christ and our love for Him lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will and teachings. When we sincerely repent of our sins the Lord forgives us and remembers them no more.

Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to desire to change your life for the better. As you study the gospel, you will recognize that you have sinned, or acted against the will and teachings of God. Through repentance, the second principle of the gospel, you change thoughts, desires, habits, and actions that are not in harmony with God’s teachings. He promises that when you repent, He will forgive your sins.

To repent, you:

•Recognize that you have sinned and feel sincere sorrow for what you have done.
•Stop sinning and strive never to commit sin again.
•Confess your sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. If you have sinned against another person, you must ask that person for forgiveness.
•Make restitution. You should do everything in your power to correct any problems your actions may have caused.

•Keep the commandments. Obeying God’s commandments brings the power of the gospel into your life and gives you strength to abandon your sins. Keeping the commandments includes giving service, forgiving others, and attending Church meetings.
•Acknowledge the Savior. The most important part of repentance is the realization that forgiveness comes because of Jesus Christ. The Savior suffered for your sins so they can be put behind you, even the serious ones.

Cultivating a spirit of forgiveness in your home will help you find peace, comfort, and joy. When a spouse or other family member hurts your feelings, try not to hold a grudge. Remembering the wrong every time you become frustrated or upset with them can be very damaging to your marriage and family. Everyone makes mistakes and all of us need forgiveness. Jesus Christ taught that if we want to be forgiven of our wrongs, we must forgive others ( Matthew 18:21–35).

Even after you have accepted Christ and repented of your sins, you may fall short and sin again. You should continually try to correct these transgressions. In addition, you should continually strive to develop Christlike qualities, to grow in knowledge, and to serve more effectively. As you learn more about what the Savior expects of you, you will want to show your love by obeying Him. Thus, as you repent daily, you will find that your life will change and improve.

Repentance requires changes. It requires an increased commitment to live according to God’s will. As you change, you will recognize that you are a child of God and that you need not continue making the same mistakes. If you sincerely repent, your desire to follow God will grow stronger and deeper. You will feel God’s forgiveness and His peace in your life, and guilt and sorrow will be swept away, allowing you to feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance. When you pass from this life and are fully repentant, you will be more prepared to live with your Heavenly Father and His Son. Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and knows that sin makes you unhappy and brings unhappiness to those you love, for “wickedness never was happiness” ( Alma 41:10).