Lesson 5

Principles of True Repentance. Lesson #5

Even before his call as President of the Church, President Benson made repentance an important theme of his ministry. He had been counseled to do so by George Albert Smith, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time. In a letter written not long after President Benson’s call to the apostleship, President Smith said, “Your mission from now on is to find ways and means to disseminate the truth and warn the people that you come in contact with in as kind a way as possible that repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of this world.”

President Benson was faithful to this charge as he taught the gospel throughout the world. He taught that “it is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.”³ But he also observed that “we all have need to repent.”⁴ He emphasized the “mighty change” of heart associated with repentance (see Alma 5:12–14) and explained the Savior’s role in bringing about such change:

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. …

“Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”

 

If we wish to truly repent and come unto Him so that we can be called members of His Church, we must first and foremost come to realize this eternal truth—the gospel plan is the plan of happiness. Wickedness never did, never does, never will bring us happiness [see Alma 41:10]. Violation of the laws of God brings only misery, bondage, and darkness.

 

Repentance involves not just a change of actions, but a change of heart.

When King Benjamin finished his remarkable address in the land of Zarahemla, the people all cried with one voice that they believed his words. They knew of a surety that his promises of redemption were true, because, said they, “the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, [and note this] that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2.)⁸

Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn’t happened to you—it should.

 

 No one is more anxious to see us change our lives than the Father and the Savior.

 

Moroni continues with the words of the Lord: “My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27; italics added.)

What a promise from the Lord! The very source of our troubles can be changed, molded, and formed into a strength and a source of power.