Repentance: A Disciple’s Pattern for Eternal Progression

Dear brothers and sisters, I feel honored to speak to you today. I have always appreciated learning from devotional speakers. Just last week, Brother Nate Williams reminded us of the infinite worth of souls in the sight of God. ^[1] And the week prior, Elder Quentin L. Cook encouraged us to enlarge our memories and “bind our hearts together with the Saints of yesterday” ^[2] through the study of church history. A vital role of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and of the Son and to reveal the truth of all things. ^[3] I pray the Holy Ghost will be our personal teacher during this time together.

In preparing for this occasion, I often thought of the blessing you and I have to be part of this great university. While your education here is preparing you for employment and lifelong learning in a wholesome and supportive environment, I hope you recognize that the purpose of this university extends well beyond those worthy aspirations. The mission of Brigham Young University-Idaho is “to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.” ^[4] This university is truly a “Disciple Preparation Center,” ^[5] as Elder David A. Bednar suggested.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is a lifetime pursuit and requires much. A disciple’s ultimate desire is to become like his or her Master. Mercifully, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Master, who knows what it takes to grow “from grace to grace, until [receiving] a fullness,” ^[6] beckons us reassuringly, “Come unto me…and learn of me.” ^[7] “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” ^[8]

Elder Neal A. Maxwell made this observation: “Since we have been told clearly by Jesus what manner of men and women we ought to become—even as He is—How can we do so, except each of us employs repentance as the regular means of personal progression? Personal repentance is part of taking up the cross daily. Without it, clearly there could be no ‘perfecting of the Saints.’” ^[9]

More recently, Elder D. Todd Christofferson has said, “Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation.” ^[10]

Both apostles emphasize the key role of repentance in eternal progression. This concept is perhaps best captured metaphorically by C. S. Lewis when he wrote, “Progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. [But] if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.” ^[11]

The notion of making a U-turn when on the wrong road or going the wrong way illustrates the directional objective of repentance: to turn away from sin and to turn back to God. This particular meaning of repentance is often found in the Old Testament. Biblical scholars tell us that “the Hebrew verb lashuv means both to return and to repent.” ^[12] Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ^[13]

With this understanding in mind, I would like to focus on two aspects of repentance that can help us make “real progress” in our personal discipleship:

1. A disciple repents and follows Christ daily.
2. A disciple invites others to repent as guided by the Spirit and with love.

1. A disciple repents and follows Christ daily.

Repentance is deficient if it is only about self-improvement efforts or behavior modification strategies. As Brother Stephen W. Owen said, “We can try to change our behavior on our own, but only the Savior can remove our stains and lift our burdens, enabling us to pursue the path of obedience with confidence and strength. The joy of repentance is more than the joy of living a decent life. It’s the joy of forgiveness, of being clean again, and of drawing closer to God. Once you’ve experienced that joy, no lesser substitute will do.” ^[14]

I’d like to thank all who participated in the pre-devotional discussion board. The following students kindly agreed to share what repentance means to them personally in their own journey of discipleship.

Thank you, Lucie, Samantha, Annalisa, and Pavel. As we just heard, repentance begins with and is a natural outgrowth of faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Bible Dictionary further describes repentance as denoting “a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress.” ^[15]

For some repentance requires a full “180-degree turn,” ^[16] as in the case of the prodigal son, who “when he came to himself, he said…I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and [returned] to his father.” ^[17] Alma’s own description of his repentance, forgiveness, and conversion is another familiar example.

For others already on the true path and pressing forward with “steadfastness in Christ,” ^[18] repentance is more about making small course corrections.

While returning home from a family trip, our daughter Hannah took this picture. It reminds me that even when driving on a straight road, I still made hundreds of barely noticeable steering adjustments to keep control of the vehicle and get home safely.

In our spiritual progression, it’s not uncommon to experience cyclical ups and downs. There are days when it’s easier to be faithful and there are days when it’s hard. At one point or another, we all stumble upon temptations, transgressions, trials, and tribulations. The key, when these challenges come, is to keep focus, to stay the course, to not give up or give in, but as true disciples, “having put the hand to the plough,” we do not “[look] back,” down, or around, but we “look to God and live.” ^[19]

We might lose a battle here or there, but thanks to the divine gifts of repentance and forgiveness and the chance to renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament, we can make the corrections needed and recommit to honoring commandments and covenants so we qualify again for the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Elder Neil L. Andersen reminds us that, “We must become converted to daily repentance…Daily, as we are humble, the Lord will reveal our weaknesses to us…As we seek earnestly to know ourselves, to make honest assessments of what we are and of where we are, the Lord will reveal, in answer to our prayers, where our repentance should be focused.” ^[20]

In our desire to improve, we should not underestimate the importance of being faithful in the small things. Alma taught, “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” ^[21] We do not always see in advance all the potential ramifications of the small and simple choices we make in life.

President Henry J. Eyring recently alluded to this principle and its application at this university within the context of observing the Honor Code. ^[22] Let’s listen.

Brothers and sisters, faithfulness in the small things now is good practice for and an effective indicator of future faithfulness in the greater things, including how faithful we will ultimately be in honoring temple covenants and sacred marriage vows.

2. A disciple invites others to repent as guided by the Spirit and with love.

It is remarkable that the word “repent” is recorded as the first expression spoken by Jesus to inaugurate His mortal ministry. “Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ^[23] I believe it conveys the intent and urgency of His mission to invite all to return unto Him, for as Isaiah prophesied, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” ^[24]

One characteristic of the truly repentant is their desire to invite others to partake of the same blessings that fill their souls “with exceedingly great joy.” ^[25] This joy “consists of being healed spiritually [and] comes from inside.” ^[26] This is the effect conversion had on Alma, the sons of Mosiah, and others who experienced a mighty change of heart. Having first settled their spiritual accounts with the Father through the Atonement of Christ, they desired that “salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish.” ^[27] Then, motivated by their love of God and love of neighbor they looked for opportunities to share the gospel with others, “that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.” ^[28]

Today once again the Lord has revealed, “The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me.” ^[29]

This is what more than 67,000 full-time missionaries do every day, which is great! But inviting others to repent is not only the responsibility of missionaries, Church leaders, or parents. The Lord has declared, “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” ^[30]

You might ask, what is the best way to “warn” others without coming across as self-righteous, or causing anyone to feel hurt or offended? Perhaps the “neighbor” you have in mind is a family member, a friend, a roommate, or a coworker you want to help, but you don’t know exactly how to proceed. Please consider this counsel:

First, from President Spencer W. Kimball, “It should be clear to us that usually we must warm our neighbors before we can warn them properly. Our neighbors must experience genuine friendship and fellowship. We want…to entreat neighbors, not to scold them or to scare them.” ^[31]

And secondly, from Elder Christofferson:

"[T]he invitation to repent is an expression of love…If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves. A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help. Yes, the call to repentance is at times regarded as intolerant or offensive and may even be resented, but guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring.” ^[32]

We can invite others to come unto Christ in multiple ways, such as sharing the gospel with those not of our faith, strengthening the faith of the believers, caring for the spiritually wounded, and reclaiming the lost and adrift, of whom the Savior said, “for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them.” ^[33]

Eusebius of Caesarea, a fourth century historian recounts a tender episode in the life of the apostle John, in which he ministers to the one. Although it’s often difficult to establish the authenticity and reliability of stories about the early apostles beyond what we have in the scriptures, this account stands out for its timeless moral value if perhaps not as much for its historical accuracy.

The following video ^[34]portrays this story creatively with contemporary application overtones. I express my appreciation to all who so generously worked on this project. As you watch, I invite you to think of someone you could also reach out to and minister.

While the historicity of these events remains elusive, one thing is sure: the central lesson was not lost on John or the author of the story when Jesus taught:

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine, [and go into the wilderness] after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. ^[35]

I testify that “great shall be [our] joy” ^[36] when others repent and we have been instrumental in that process. I pray that as we make our own course corrections daily, we will seek to help others to do the same as guided by the Spirit and with love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

[1] Nate Williams, “Remember the Worth of Souls Is Great in the Sight of God,” BYU-Idaho Devotional, 19 June 2018.

[2] Quentin L. Cook, “Out of Obscurity: How Merciful the Lord Has Been,” BYU-Idaho Devotional, 12 June 2018.

[3] “Holy Ghost,” True to the Faith, 2004, 81–84.

[4] Brigham Young University-Idaho Mission Statement; byui.edu.

[5] David A. Bednar, “Brigham Young University-Idaho: A Disciple Preparation Center (DPC),” BYU-Idaho Devotional, 31 August 2004.

[6] Doctrine and Covenants 93:13.

[7] Matthew 11:28-29.

[8] Luke 9:23.

[9] Neal A. Maxwell, “Repentance,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, emphasis added; lds.org.

[10] D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, emphasis added; lds.org.

[11] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity: 2001, 28.

[12] D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, Verse by Verse: The Old Testament, Volume 2: 2013, 213.

[13] John 14:6.

[14] Stephen W. Owen, “Repentance is Always Positive,” Ensign, Nov. 2017; lds.org.

[15] “Repentance,” Bible Dictionary, 760-761.

[16] Neal A. Maxwell, “Repentance,” Ensign, Nov. 1991; lds.org.

[17] Luke 15:17-20.

[18] 2 Nephi 31:20.

[19] Luke 9:62; Alma 37:47.

[20] Neil L. Andersen, “The Joy of Becoming Clean,” Ensign, April 1995; lds.org.

[21] Alma 37:6.

[22] Henry J. Eyring, “A Tradition of Honor,” BYU-Idaho Devotional, 7 January 2018.

[23] Matthew 4:17, emphasis added.

[24] Isaiah 53:6.

[25] 1 Nephi 8:12.

[26] Marion G. Romney, “Joy and Happiness,” Ensign, Sept. 1973; lds.org.

[27] Mosiah 28:3.

[28] Alma 17:16.

[29] Doctrine and Covenants 15:6; 16:6.

[30] Doctrine and Covenants 88:81.

[31] “Report of the Regional Representatives Seminar,” Ensign, Nov. 1976; lds.org.

[32] D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign, Nov. 2011; lds.org.

[33] 3 Nephi 18:32, emphasis added.

[34] Adapted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2 ^nd Series, Vol. 1. Eusebius: Church History, Book III, 23, 6-19. Transl. by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.

[35] Luke 15:4-7; Luke 15:4 footnote.

[36] Doctrine and Covenants 18:12-16.