Difference between revisions of "Repentance"

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One of the foundational principles of the [[Mormon Church]] is repentance. This principle is encapsulated as part of the fourth [[Articles of Faith|Article of Faith]]:
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[[image: Mormon Prayer3.jpg|350px|right|alt=Mormon Prayer|Mormon Prayer]]'''Repentance''' is one of the foundational principles of the [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] sometimes casually called the [[Mormon Church]]. This principle is included as part of the fourth [[Articles of Faith|Article of Faith]]:
  
:We believe that the first principles and [[ordinances]] of the Gospel are: first, faith in the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]; second, '''repentance'''; third, [[Baptism by Immersion|baptism by immersion]] for the remission of sins; fourth, [[Laying on of Hands|laying on of hands]] for the [[gift of the Holy Ghost]].  
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:We believe that the first principles and [[ordinances]] of the Gospel are: first, [[faith]] in the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]; second, repentance; third, [[Baptism by Immersion|baptism by immersion]] for the remission of [[sins]]; fourth, [[Laying on of Hands|laying on of hands]] for the [[gift of the Holy Ghost]].  
  
Mormons believe in the principle of repentance, which is founded only upon true faith in Christ as [[Savior]] and Redeemer of the world. Repentance is key to living a Christ-like life; it is an ongoing process through which the individual can make his life more like Christ's. Repentance is not necessarily a simple matter, as it involves voluntarily changing our nature. Through repentance we deny our worldly selves and aspire to the divine.
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Latter-day Saints believe in the principle of repentance, which is founded upon true faith in Christ as [[Savior]] and Redeemer of the world. Repentance is key to living a Christlike life; it is an ongoing process<ref> The [[prophet]] [[Joseph Smith]] said "Repentance is a thing that cannot be trifled with with every day. Daily transgression and daily repentance is not that which is pleasing to God"([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-5?lang=eng ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'', Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2007, 73).</ref> through which the individual can bring his life more in line with Christ's example. Repentance is not necessarily a simple matter, as it involves voluntarily changing one's nature.<ref>See [[Deathbed repentance]]</ref> Through repentance men deny their worldly selves and aspire to the divine.
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Part of the human condition is the tendency to [[sin]]. Repentance includes a recognition of the sin, sincere regret (or ''godly sorrow''), restitution if at all possible, and abstinence from the sin in the future. Key to the repentance process is a person's personal, sincere, prayerful confession to God, which includes asking for [[forgiveness]] and resolving not to repeat the sin.  The LDS Guide to the Scriptures defines repentance as:
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:A change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Repentance implies that a person turns away from evil and turns his heart and will to God, submitting to God's commandments and desires and forsaking sin. True repentance comes from a love for God and a sincere desire to obey his commandments. All [[Age of Accountability|accountable]] persons have sinned and must repent in order to progress toward salvation. Only through the [[atonement]] of Jesus Christ can our repentance become effective and accepted by God.
  
Part of the human condition is our tendency to sin. We overcome sin through repentance, which includes a recognition of the sin, sincere regret (or ''godly sorrow''), restitution if at all possible, and abstinence from the sin in the future. Key to the repentance process is a person's personal, sincere, prayerful confession to God, which includes asking for forgiveness and resolving not to repeat the sin.  The LDS Guide to the Scriptures defines repentance as:
 
:A change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Repentance implies that a person turns away from evil and turns his heart and will to God, submitting to God's commandments and desires and forsaking sin. True repentance comes from a love for God and a sincere desire to obey his commandments. All accountable persons have sinned and must repent in order to progress toward salvation. Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can our repentance become effective and accepted by God.
 
 
Less serious sins can be dealt with personally, between the individual and God. It is important for Church members to confess serious sins to a [[bishop]], who can offer advice, encouragement, and assistance with the repentance process.
 
Less serious sins can be dealt with personally, between the individual and God. It is important for Church members to confess serious sins to a [[bishop]], who can offer advice, encouragement, and assistance with the repentance process.
  
 
Consistent with the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words from which it is translated, repentance denotes "a change of mind," "a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined." Thus, a return to sin shows that the repentance process is not truly completed.
 
Consistent with the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words from which it is translated, repentance denotes "a change of mind," "a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined." Thus, a return to sin shows that the repentance process is not truly completed.
  
[[Category:Plan of Salvation]][[Category:Principles]]
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Friends of other faiths tend to accuse members of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] of believing that they can work their way to heaven. Latter-day Saints believe that we are saved by grace, and that without the [[Atonement]] of [[Jesus Christ]] no one can be saved.  When Latter-day Saints talk about works, doing service to their fellowmen in order to increase God's kingdom and help with His work is paramount, but still not as important as the work of individual repentance. In order to be saved, we must repent.
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<embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrVP95BnUk&rel=0</embedvideo>
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<videoflash>xrx5fznc_iE&rel=0</videoflash>
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----
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<references />
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==External Links==
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*[http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=17ec3b4c3713a110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1 "The Exquisite Joy of Repentance," by Peggy Ollerton Archuleta]
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[[Category:Beliefs]][[Category:Plan of Salvation]][[Category:Fundamental Principles]]
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[[de:Umkehr]]
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[[es:Arrepentimiento]]
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[[fr:Repentir]]
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[[ru:Покаяние]]
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[[it:Pentimento]]
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[[pt:Arrependimento]]
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[[ja:悔い改め]]
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[[tl:Pagsisisi]]

Latest revision as of 17:14, 25 August 2020

Mormon Prayer
Repentance is one of the foundational principles of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes casually called the Mormon Church. This principle is included as part of the fourth Article of Faith:
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Latter-day Saints believe in the principle of repentance, which is founded upon true faith in Christ as Savior and Redeemer of the world. Repentance is key to living a Christlike life; it is an ongoing process[1] through which the individual can bring his life more in line with Christ's example. Repentance is not necessarily a simple matter, as it involves voluntarily changing one's nature.[2] Through repentance men deny their worldly selves and aspire to the divine.

Part of the human condition is the tendency to sin. Repentance includes a recognition of the sin, sincere regret (or godly sorrow), restitution if at all possible, and abstinence from the sin in the future. Key to the repentance process is a person's personal, sincere, prayerful confession to God, which includes asking for forgiveness and resolving not to repeat the sin. The LDS Guide to the Scriptures defines repentance as:

A change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Repentance implies that a person turns away from evil and turns his heart and will to God, submitting to God's commandments and desires and forsaking sin. True repentance comes from a love for God and a sincere desire to obey his commandments. All accountable persons have sinned and must repent in order to progress toward salvation. Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can our repentance become effective and accepted by God.

Less serious sins can be dealt with personally, between the individual and God. It is important for Church members to confess serious sins to a bishop, who can offer advice, encouragement, and assistance with the repentance process.

Consistent with the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words from which it is translated, repentance denotes "a change of mind," "a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined." Thus, a return to sin shows that the repentance process is not truly completed.

Friends of other faiths tend to accuse members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of believing that they can work their way to heaven. Latter-day Saints believe that we are saved by grace, and that without the Atonement of Jesus Christ no one can be saved. When Latter-day Saints talk about works, doing service to their fellowmen in order to increase God's kingdom and help with His work is paramount, but still not as important as the work of individual repentance. In order to be saved, we must repent.


  1. The prophet Joseph Smith said "Repentance is a thing that cannot be trifled with with every day. Daily transgression and daily repentance is not that which is pleasing to God"([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-5?lang=eng Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2007, 73).
  2. See Deathbed repentance

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