Elder Karl D. Hirst, a General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught BYU-Idaho students to rethink how repentance can help them progress in their lifelong journey to become better disciples of Jesus Christ in his devotional address on Tuesday.
Repentance sometimes has a negative connotation tied to it, but as Elder Hirst taught in his devotional address, church members can rethink and reshape their view of this foundational principle. They can see weakness as an opportunity to grow.
“Being weak does not mean we are Satan’s, it means we’re capable of growth,” Elder Hirst said. “Our weakness is God’s opportunity. When we feel guilt, we know to reach out for our Savior. It might be hard, but don’t avoid that difficult invitation.”
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Elder Hirst used an example of Nephi from the Book of Mormon to illustrate how we can not only be cleansed but also changed through repentance.
“We’re not praying simply to be cleansed, but when we think about the sin that we’re trying to repent of, we might, like Nephi, pray so that we might shake at the appearance of that sin,” Elder Hirst said. “That’s beyond being cleansed. He’s praying specifically for the Lord to give him a physical reaction.”
Elder Hirst further warned against falling into the trap of viewing good habits as mundane activities that lose their meaning by comparing that process to the story of the ten virgins.
“We do things that are designed to bring us that light and connect us with the Bridegroom, but we do it without the oil, the thing that gives it meaning,” Elder Hirst said. “Things like prayer. It’s designed to connect us with heaven, but sometimes we find ourselves going through the motions. We attend by appointment rather than because we want to meet the Bridegroom.”
Elder Hirst reminded students they can progress on the path to follow Jesus Christ step by step.
“Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught us this at the last general conference; Remember, it is Jesus Christ who already did the superhuman part when He conquered death and sin. It is our part to turn away from sin, turn towards the Savior and walk in His way one step at a time.”