Monday, March 26, 2012

Divine Gift of Repentance - lesson summary

Sis. Murdock gave the lesson Sunday from the conference talk - The Divine Gift of Repentance by D. Todd Christofferson

"Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration."


Do we think about Repentance as a gift, and smiling about it or even celebrating?? Not usually but D. Todd Christofferson helps us to see that we should be happy about this privilege. 

We can be forgiven which is cause for celebration because of the Atonement. 
Sis. Murdock shared a story about an eraser. In the story they asked a child what they were thankful for. She responded by saying her "eraser". She makes lots of mistakes in Math and she is grateful for the eraser to be able to erase those mistakes/wrong and correct it. 
Repentance is like a giant eraser. 

We all have to repent for ourselves and become a humble individual. We can't have someone repent for us. Repentance leads us to a better life. 
D. Todd Christofferson focused on 5 aspects of repentance:

1. The invitation to repent is an expression of love
2. Repentance means striving for change
3. Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience. 

Sis. Murdock shared the story from Nathan Richardson

If we really came to know our Heavenly Father we wouldn't be so afraid to repent.


4. Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain. 
5. Christs greatest sorrows were not from the physical pain but rather were from our sins, especially our rejections and abandonment of this Fathers path. 

 Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness.

Thank you Sis. Murdock! 

- Sis. Pyrah