According to Latter-day Saint beliefs, repentance is a key principle of salvation. Because each of us are imperfect, and fall short of God's perfection, we must constantly repent of our sins. If we do so, God will forgive us because of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, because Jesus Christ already suffered for our sins, and paid the price for them in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross, we do not have to suffer for them if we repent. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, are baptized by immersion by someone holding the correct authority, and receive the Holy Ghost, we can be saved in the kingdom of God. However, this salvation only comes after we have "endured to the end" and remained faithful to God's commandments, repenting when we fall short.
Repentance is not a casual, or hands-off, process. Rather, it is a process that takes faith, humility, and determination. Repentance denotes a change. Not just a change in behavior, but a change of being. An individual who repents of a sin not only abandons the sin, but abhors the sin and commits never to do it again. An individual who repents sees himself as God sees him, as a child of God. True repentance changes one's heart and changes the way one sees himself and those around him.
Is there a formula to follow for repentance? Sort of. The scriptures provide us with certain characteristics and behaviors of those who wish to repent of their sins and become "born again."
(1) Recognition and Sorrow
First, we must recognize that we have sinned. Usually, this is quite evident through feelings of shame and guilt. However, occassionally it requires the understanding of God's commandments. Once we recognize we have sinned, we must be sorry that we disobeyed God's commandments. This is not a shallow sorrow for being caught, but rather, a deep sorrow that we have separated ourselves from God and caused our Savior Jesus Christ to suffer on our behalf, because of our deviant behavior. Paul states that "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10).
(2) Abandonment of Sin
Of course, in order to repent of sin, we must stop sinning. If one is repenting for using coarse language or taking the Lord's name in vain, he must stop using such language! Not only must we strive to abandon a particular sin we are repenting of, but we should strive to abandon all sin.
(3) Confession
We should confess all sins to God through prayer. We should acknowledge our errors and ask His forgiveness. Additionally, we should confess sins to those we have wronged. If one has stolen a candy bar, he should confess his sin both to God, and to the person he stole from. Forgiveness should be sought from both parties. Finally, when a sin is of a serious nature, such as adultery, fornication, other immoral behavior, theft, etc., we need to confess our sins to God's representatives. In the case of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one needs to confess to his bishop or branch president. This individual will help the sinner on the road to repentance.
(4) Restitution
Finally, once we have recognized our sin, felt sorry for the error, abandoned and confessed the sin, we must do all we can to rectify the problem. In the example of the stolen candy bar, the sinner should return the candy bar or pay for its replacement.
For those who travel the well-worn, but difficult, road of repentance, there is the promise from the Lord that his sins will be forgiven and forgotten! There is no greater promise and hope than cleanliness from sin and a new beginning through the mercy and love of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Lord pleads with all of us to "come unto him" and repent of our sins. For all those who are weighed down by sin, guilt, and the frustrations of the world, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30). This invitation is for all of us.
When we decide to repent, we can rest assured that we can be forgiven and be clean again. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18). I know the promise is true.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Prophet Joseph Smith
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Church"), also known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, asserts that God has again called prophets and apostles to guide his church in modern times, just as in ancient times. As we learn from the Bible, prophets are righteous men called of God to be a spokesman for God to the world. Prophets teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ, guide the Church of Christ on the earth, and warn us of the dangers of sin and rebellion.
In 1820, a 14-year-old boy in Western New York was confused about religion. His name was Joseph Smith. There was a religious movement in the area and many denominations were seeking adherents to their faiths. Young Joseph did not know which church to join, and so, knelt and prayed to God for guidance. In response to this humble prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and told him not to join any of the denominations. They told him, that in time, the true Church of Jesus Christ would be restored.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was a remarkable man. He led the Church in very difficult times. He was persecuted his entire life for his beliefs. He was often separated from his family as he preached the gospel, visited the members of the Church, and falsely jailed by those who disagreed with him. The early history of the Church is both a glorious and sad history. The Church prospered as the gospel message of the great restoration was preached in America, Canada, and Europe. This message would eventually be taken to the whole world. However, the Church members were persecuted, hated, and driven from state to state for refuge. The Prophet, himself, was tarred and feathered, jailed numerous times, threatened on multiple occassions, and often suffered for his testimony of Jesus. Through all of this, he maintained his faith and his trust in God in leading the Church.
He diligently kept God's commandments, led the Church, and built cities and temples for God. But, his persecutors were never far behind. In June 1844, while falsely imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois, a mob came and killed both Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Many thought that the death of Joseph Smith would be the end of the Church, but it was only the beginning. God called another prophet, the senior apostle, Brigham Young, to lead the Church. Brigham Young led the members of the Church ("Saints") to Utah where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The Church has grown and prospered ever since as a testimony to the divinity of the work. Each time the prophet dies, the senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next prophet, just as Peter became the prophet following Jesus' ascension.
Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. He did just that. While many detractors continue to attack his character, they can never attack his legacy of faith. The Church stands today as a monument to the Prophet's faith and devotion. Members of the Church do not worship Joseph Smith (he was, after all, only a man), but we revere him as a prophet called by God to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. I am grateful for the Prophet's faith, perseverance, righteousness, and willingness to keep all of God's commandments.
Following Christ's death and subsequent resurrection and ascension, Peter and the other apostles sought to guide the Church of Christ through revelation from God. However, because of the wickedness of the people, the persecution of the saints and apostles, and the distances of the saints and lack of reliable communication, the Church of Christ fell into a state of apostasy. The apostles were killed and the priesthood authority (the power to act on God's behalf) was lost.
Centuries of darkness, warfare, and religious domination and confusion resulted. Many noble and righteous individuals sought to reform the church in order to return to New Testament principles. These brave individuals should be praised for their dedication to serve God. However, God did not restore the fullness of His gospel on the earth until the nineteenth century.
In 1820, a 14-year-old boy in Western New York was confused about religion. His name was Joseph Smith. There was a religious movement in the area and many denominations were seeking adherents to their faiths. Young Joseph did not know which church to join, and so, knelt and prayed to God for guidance. In response to this humble prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and told him not to join any of the denominations. They told him, that in time, the true Church of Jesus Christ would be restored.Following this remarkable vision, Joseph received other heavenly manifestations, including that of an angel named Moroni. Moroni was an ancient prophet who had lived on the American continent around 400 b.c. Moroni told Joseph of an ancient record that had been abridged by Moroni and his father Mormon. This record told of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and their teachings and testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ. It had been buried by Moroni in a nearby hill in New York. He led Joseph to the record ("the gold plates") which Joseph translated into the English language by the gift and power of God. This book is known as "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ." It serves as a companion scripture to the Holy Bible.
Following the publication of the Book of Mormon, God instructed Joseph to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. On April 6, 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith was called of God to be the prophet and president of the Church.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was a remarkable man. He led the Church in very difficult times. He was persecuted his entire life for his beliefs. He was often separated from his family as he preached the gospel, visited the members of the Church, and falsely jailed by those who disagreed with him. The early history of the Church is both a glorious and sad history. The Church prospered as the gospel message of the great restoration was preached in America, Canada, and Europe. This message would eventually be taken to the whole world. However, the Church members were persecuted, hated, and driven from state to state for refuge. The Prophet, himself, was tarred and feathered, jailed numerous times, threatened on multiple occassions, and often suffered for his testimony of Jesus. Through all of this, he maintained his faith and his trust in God in leading the Church.
He diligently kept God's commandments, led the Church, and built cities and temples for God. But, his persecutors were never far behind. In June 1844, while falsely imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois, a mob came and killed both Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Many thought that the death of Joseph Smith would be the end of the Church, but it was only the beginning. God called another prophet, the senior apostle, Brigham Young, to lead the Church. Brigham Young led the members of the Church ("Saints") to Utah where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The Church has grown and prospered ever since as a testimony to the divinity of the work. Each time the prophet dies, the senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next prophet, just as Peter became the prophet following Jesus' ascension.And yet still, today, many persecute the Prophet Joseph Smith. They call him a fraud, a false prophet, a delusional man. While it is certainly true that Joseph Smith was a man with weaknesses, foibles, and prone to make mistakes like the rest of us, the "fruits" of his labors leave no doubt that he was indeed a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the millions of testimonies of average citizens, are all fruits of the Prophet Joseph Smith's work on the earth. God always uses the weak and simple to accomplish His work.
Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. He did just that. While many detractors continue to attack his character, they can never attack his legacy of faith. The Church stands today as a monument to the Prophet's faith and devotion. Members of the Church do not worship Joseph Smith (he was, after all, only a man), but we revere him as a prophet called by God to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. I am grateful for the Prophet's faith, perseverance, righteousness, and willingness to keep all of God's commandments.
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