From “Repentance is always Positive”: This talk will be one of change for me. It is from Stephen W. Owen, Young Men General President and was given September 30, 2017.
He said; “The moment we set foot on the path of repentance, we invite the Savior’s redeeming power into our lives. Today, I would like to speak to those who may worry that they are not winning in life. The truth is, of course, that we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”[i] While there may be undefeated seasons in sports, there aren’t any in life. But I testify that the Savior Jesus Christ worked out a perfect Atonement and gave us the gift of repentance—our path back to a perfect brightness of hope and a winning life.
Repentance Brings Happiness
Too often we think of repentance as something miserable and depressing. But God’s plan is the plan of happiness, not the plan of misery! Repentance is uplifting and ennobling. It’s sin that brings unhappiness.[ii] Repentance is our escape route! As Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained: “Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. … Only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance … points us to freedom, confidence, and peace.” [iii] My message to all—especially to the youth—is that repentance is always positive.
When we speak of repentance, we aren’t just talking about self-improvement efforts. True repentance is more than that—it is inspired by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to forgive our sins. As Elder Dale G. Renlund has taught us, “Without the Redeemer, … repentance becomes simply miserable behavior modification.”[iv] 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.
True repentance inspires us to make our obedience a commitment—a covenant, beginning with baptism and renewed each week at the Lord’s Supper, the sacrament. There we receive the promise that we can “always have his Spirit to be with [us],”[v] with all of the joy and peace that come from His constant companionship. This is the fruit of repentance, and this is what makes repentance joyful!
Elder David A. Bednar taught: “Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and … striving to become better.”[vi]
I have carried ‘misconception baggage’ for this principle all my life in the church and so found this talk to be an epiphany change for me. Drinking from the ‘fountain’ of repentance often, even throughout each day, draws me closer to my Savior and brings my life to a constant, positive place and perspective. (Again from Stephen W. Owen, Young Men General President, given “Repentance is always Positive” September 30, 2017.) k
