Repentance

One of the foundational principles of the Mormon Church is repentance. This principle is encapsulated 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.

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.

Part of the human condition is our tendency to sin. We overcome sin through repentance, which includes a recongnition 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. 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.