“Chapter 5: Repentance,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson (2023)
“Chapter 5,” Teachings: Russell M. Nelson
Chapter 5
Repentance
True repentance is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and the joy that comes through His redeeming power.
From the Life of Russell M. Nelson
Early in President Russell M. Nelson’s ministry as President of the Church, ten Primary children met with him and Primary General President Joy D. Jones. They sat around a table in the replica of the home where Joseph Smith lived when he received his First Vision. As they talked together, one of the children told about a time when she “instantly felt happy” after praying for forgiveness. Her story prompted President Jones to ask President Nelson to talk “about why repentance is so important.”
President Nelson looked kindly at the children and said: “Repentance is a blessing. … Repentance means that every day you try a little harder and do a little more to become like the Lord Jesus Christ. And so I’m still repenting. How do you like that? Every day I’m trying to learn more and be more like the Lord would have me be. That’s not a punishment. That’s a joyous opportunity. Just think every day, I get up, bounce out of the bed in the morning and say, ‘Oh, something wonderful is going to happen today. I’m going to be more like Jesus.’”
Teachings of Russell M. Nelson
1
Repentance is required of every accountable person who desires eternal glory
In this life you will sometimes fall into temptation and sin. When this happens, the Savior lovingly offers you the ability to change. It’s called repentance. Satan wants you to see repentance as something negative that should be avoided and to fear that there is no way back from sin. This is simply not true.
The Master has restored His gospel to bring joy to His children, and repentance is a crucial component of that gospel.
The doctrine of repentance is as old as the gospel itself. Biblical teachings from the books of Genesis to Revelation teach repentance. Lessons from Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry include these warnings: “The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” [Mark 1:15] and “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” [Luke 13:3].
References to repentance are even more frequent in the Book of Mormon. To the people of ancient America, the Lord gave this commandment: “Again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God” [3 Nephi 11:38].
With the Restoration of the gospel, our Savior has again stressed this doctrine. The word repent in any of its forms appears in 47 of the 138 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants!
Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.
Discover the joy of daily repentance. How important is repentance? Alma taught that we should “preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord” [Mosiah 18:20]. Repentance is required of every accountable person who desires eternal glory. There are no exceptions. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord chastised early Church leaders for not teaching the gospel to their children. Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path.
Study Questions
What would you say to a friend who sees repentance as a punishment? How would you help your friend find joy in repentance?
2
When we choose to repent, we choose to change—to become more like Jesus Christ
Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.
When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!
Repentance needs to be done one step at a time. Humble prayer will facilitate each essential step. As prerequisites to forgiveness, there must first be recognition, remorse, then confession. …
The next step is restitution—to repair damage done—if possible. Then come steps to resolve to do better and refrain from relapse—to repent “with full purpose of heart” [2 Nephi 31:13]. Thanks to the ransom paid by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, full forgiveness is given to the sinner who repents and remains free from sin [see Mosiah 4:2–3]. …
The doctrine of repentance is much broader than a dictionary’s definition. When Jesus said “repent,” His disciples recorded that command in the Greek language with the verb metanoeo. This powerful word has great significance. In this word, the prefix meta means “change.” The suffix relates to four important Greek terms: nous, meaning “the mind”; gnosis, meaning “knowledge”; pneuma, meaning “spirit”; and pnoe, meaning “breath.”
Thus, when Jesus said “repent,” He asked us to change—to change our mind, knowledge, and spirit—even our breath. A prophet explained that such a change in one’s breath is to breathe with grateful acknowledgment of Him who grants each breath. King Benjamin said, “If ye should serve him who has created you … and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath … from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants” [Mosiah 2:21].
Yes, the Lord has commanded us to repent, to change our ways, to come unto Him, and be more like Him. This requires a total change. …
To repent fully is to convert completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy work.
Study Questions
What stands out to you from President Nelson’s definition of repentance? How does it change the way you feel about repentance, or how you repent?
3
Now is the time to prepare to meet God
Now is the time to prepare to meet God. Tomorrow may be too late. Prophets through the ages have so declared: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. … Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance” [Alma 34:32–33].
God declared that His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” [Moses 1:39]. Thanks to the Atonement, the gift of immortality is unconditional. The greater gift of eternal life, however, is conditional. In order to qualify, one must deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances and covenants of the temple. The resplendent bouquet of God’s love—including eternal life—includes blessings for which we must qualify, not entitlements to be expected unworthily.
Even the Savior cannot save us in our sins. He will redeem us from our sins, but only upon condition of our repentance. We are responsible for our own spiritual survival or death.
Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. He promised that though “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed … my kindness shall not depart from thee” [Isaiah 54:10; emphasis added].
If you feel you have strayed off the covenant path too far or too long and have no way to return, that simply is not true. Please contact your bishop or branch president. He is the Lord’s agent and will help you experience the joy and relief of repenting.
Now, a caution: Returning to the covenant path does not mean that life will be easy. This path is rigorous and at times will feel like a steep climb. This ascent, however, is designed to test and teach us, refine our natures, and help us to become saints. It is the only path that leads to exaltation. One prophet described the “blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven … [and] dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness” [Mosiah 2:41].
My dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ invites us to take the covenant path back home to our Heavenly Parents and be with those we love. He invites us to “come, follow me.”
Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.
Study Questions
What might cause a person to procrastinate repentance? What statements from this section inspire you to repent without delay?
4
True repentance is not an event. It is a never-ending privilege.
Repentance is a resplendent gift. It is a process never to be feared. It is a gift for us to receive with joy and to use—even embrace—day after day as we seek to become more like our Savior. …
… True repentance is not an event. It is a never-ending privilege. It is fundamental to progression and having peace of mind, comfort, and joy.
Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God. …
We know what will give us greater access to the powers of heaven. We also know what will hinder our progress—what we need to stop doing to increase our access to the powers of heaven. … Prayerfully seek to understand what stands in the way of your repentance. Identify what stops you from repenting. And then, change! Repent! All of us can do better and be better than ever before.
Some people are so easily tempted to lie a little, to cheat a little, to steal a little, or to bear false witness—just a little. You cannot commit a little sin without being subject to the consequences. If you tolerate a little sin today, you tolerate a little more tomorrow, and before long, a cord of integrity is broken. …
… The wise assess personal cords of integrity on a daily basis. You are the one to identify any weakness. You are the one to repair it. …
… Seek [to repent] not merely to satisfy a formality, but with “real intent” to reform yourself and to come closer to Christ. He is the Ultimate Physician. Real faith in him will provide real relief—and glorious rewards. He said, “Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father” [Ether 12:37].
The Lord expects daily effort, daily improvement, daily repentance. Worthiness brings purity, and purity qualifies us for the Holy Ghost. As we take “the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:57), we qualify for personal revelation.
If something is stopping us from opening the door to heavenly direction, we may need to repent. Repentance allows us to open the door so we can hear the voice of the Lord more frequently and clearly.
Study Questions
What does it mean to you to “embrace” repentance? How is embracing repentance different from mere self-improvement?
5
As you turn to the Savior and repent, you will feel how much He loves you
We all make mistakes. But the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to rise above them, repent, and put our sins and mistakes behind us. We can be forgiven if we will but repent. With real repentance we will have a complete change of mind, knowledge, spirit, even the desires of our hearts. Only through continuous and conscientious repentance can we become devout disciples of the Lord.
True repentance is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and the joy that comes through His redeeming power.
There is always a way back. Jesus Christ is the way. You are never beyond His reach. He stands with open arms ready and willing to heal, cleanse, purify, and sanctify you. As you turn to the Savior and take steps to repent, you will feel just how much He loves you. He will forgive you and change your heart. Thanks to Jesus Christ, you can do better and be better each day! …
In a coming day, you will stand before the Savior to be judged. In that moment, you will be overwhelmed with joy to be in His holy presence. You will struggle to find words to thank Him for His infinite, perfect love and atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever.
Jesus Christ is your Savior. I invite you to look to Him and make Him the center of your life.
Study Question
When have you witnessed the Savior’s power to change a heart?
6
The fruits of repentance are sweet
The fruits of repentance are sweet. Repentant converts find that the truths of the restored gospel govern their thoughts and deeds, shape their habits, and forge their character. They are more resilient and able to deny themselves of all ungodliness. Moreover, uncontrolled appetite, addiction to pornography or harmful drugs, unbridled passion, carnal desire, and unrighteous pride are diminished with complete conversion to the Lord and a determination to serve Him and to emulate His example. Virtue garnishes their thoughts, and self-confidence grows. Tithing is seen as a joyful and protective blessing, not as a duty or a sacrifice. Truth becomes more attractive, and things praiseworthy become more engaging.
Repentance is the Lord’s regimen for spiritual growth. King Benjamin explained that “the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” [Mosiah 3:19]. Brothers and sisters, that means conversion! Repentance is conversion! A repentant soul is a converted soul, and a converted soul is a repentant soul.
Some resist repentance, feeling it is too hard or that they are beyond hope. Those feelings would deny the infinite love and power of Jesus Christ. …
Repentance is a process that is never easy. But its prizes are worth the price. The prizes—including forgiveness, peace of mind, and enduring joy—are available to everyone. When we begin to repent, we look forward with faith in Jesus Christ through the challenges that lie ahead and experience true joy. Repentance is powerful because it brings God’s power into our lives.
Study Question
What sweet fruits of repentance have you experienced?
Invitations and Promises
Repentance brings God’s power into our lives
Repentance is a process that is never easy. But its prizes are worth the price! The prizes—including forgiveness, peace of mind, and enduring joy—are available to everyone. When we begin to repent, we look forward with faith in Jesus Christ through the challenges that lie ahead and experience true joy. Repentance is powerful because it brings God’s power into our lives.
Do not fear or delay repenting
Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. He promised that though “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed … my kindness shall not depart from thee” [Isaiah 54:10; emphasis added].
If you feel you have strayed off the covenant path too far or too long and have no way to return, that simply is not true. Please contact your bishop or branch president. He is the Lord’s agent and will help you experience the joy and relief of repenting.
Now is the time to prepare to meet God. Tomorrow may be too late. Prophets through the ages have so declared: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. … Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance” [Alma 34:32–33].
Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.
Be a little better each day
The Lord expects daily effort, daily improvement, daily repentance. Worthiness brings purity, and purity qualifies us for the Holy Ghost. As we take “the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:57), we qualify for personal revelation.
If something is stopping us from opening the door to heavenly direction, we may need to repent. Repentance allows us to open the door so we can hear the voice of the Lord more frequently and clearly.
Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.
When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!
Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God.
There is always a way back; Jesus Christ is the way
In this life you will sometimes fall into temptation and sin. When this happens, the Savior lovingly offers you the ability to change. It’s called repentance. Satan wants you to see repentance as something negative that should be avoided and to fear that there is no way back from sin. This is simply not true.
There is always a way back. Jesus Christ is the way. You are never beyond His reach. He stands with open arms ready and willing to heal, cleanse, purify, and sanctify you. As you turn to the Savior and take steps to repent, you will feel just how much He loves you. He will forgive you and change your heart. Thanks to Jesus Christ, you can do better and be better each day! …
In a coming day, you will stand before the Savior to be judged. In that moment, you will be overwhelmed with joy to be in His holy presence. You will struggle to find words to thank Him for His infinite, perfect love and atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever.
Jesus Christ is your Savior. I invite you to look to Him and make Him the center of your life.
Videos
Increase Personal Revelation by Repentance and Prayer, Said President Nelson
Related Talks
“The Power of Spiritual Momentum” (April 2022 general conference)
“We Can Do Better and Be Better” (April 2019 general conference)
“Repentance and Conversion” (April 2007 general conference)
“Integrity of Heart” (Brigham Young University devotional, February 23, 1993)