Repentance Is Required For Salvation

Book of Mormon Marriage And Family Study

"Awake my soul!"

The Bible Dictionary on repentance says;

“The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.”

Repentance Is A Change of Mind, Fresh View About God, About Oneself

To repent is to evaluate our lives; our values, desires, and thoughts. We should always ask ourselves, “Why am I (we) doing this? Is this important? Does it matter?

Or, are we (as a family) doing this because everyone else is doing it. For example, everyone else might be taking precious time out of family gospel study time to shuttle kids off to little league sports. However, no little league sports program can develop a child’s faith and character than sitting around as a family discussing their thoughts and feelings about what they read in the Book of Mormon. You might argue that organized sports teach them discipline and social skills.

The best sports program will not convert them, even if they have a fantastic coach and teammates. The Spirit of God will not pierce your son’s heart while he is trying to hit a home run or kick a goalie.

We don’t know ourselves until we know God. We are created in His image. Therefore, we can become like Him.

Satan doesn’t want us to know who God really is. It is unreasonable for Satan to erase God from our minds completely. Therefore, the Devil will corrupt and dumb down who God is. For example, Satan will teach some convoluted definition of God, that would be so abstract and irrational that no one would seek after Him. And receive no power from God.

Elder Holland described the Nicene Creed and other creeds that polluted who God is.

“These various evolutions and iterations of creeds-and others to come over the centuries- declared the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be abstract, absolute, transcendent, immanent, consubstantial, coeternal, and unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside of space and time. In such creeds all three members are separate persons, but they are a single being, the oftnoted “mystery of the trinity.” They are three distinct persons, yet not three Gods but one. All three persons are incomprehensible, yet it is one God who is incomprehensible.”

“We agree with our critics on at least that point- that such a formulation of divinity is truly incomprehensible. With such a confusing definition of God being imposed upon the church, little wonder that a fourth-century monk cried out, “Woe is me! They have taken my God away from me,…and I know not whom to adore or to address.” How are we to trust, love, worship, to say nothing of strive to like, One who is incomprehensible and unknowable? What of Jesus’s prayer to His Father in heaven that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”? (John 17:3) October 2007 General Conference

The Restoration Is The Greatest Event Since The Atonement Of Jesus Christ

Joseph Smith saw in person the resurrected body God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ. This is known as the First Vision. He saw that they are resurrected people (who have become God’s) and not some abstract or unknowable substance.

Satan knows how Joseph Smith’s First Vision opened the Heavens, revealed to the world who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really are; and reestablished the Apostolic link to God.

Satan’s attacks on Joseph Smith are intentional, and he will not give Joseph a break. He can’t. Too much is at stake. This is why Lucifer distracts us, and instead of focusing on what Joseph restored (First Vision, gospel, priesthood, ordinances, and covenants, etc.); he attacks Joseph’s character and makes big drama out of his weaknesses.

Satan does this because Joseph opened the way for us to seek after God and find Him. The Devil can’t allow that.

The entire plan for us is so we can become exactly like God and Jesus Christ. To gain eternal life, which is to have their kind of life. To be God’s ourselves. This life is the perfect test for that because there are a million meaningless things that can capture our interest and desire.

A Fresh View About The World

We can be sure of two things. Satan is increasing his efforts. The darkness is getting darker. Two God’s light is becoming stronger. Those who seek after Him will be able to fill their lives with light and keep the darkness out.

The scriptures say the world groaneth in darkness and under the bondage of sin. Although, for those who seek out light and truth, instead of great darkness it will be bright as noonday.

If you live in the Salt Lake City valley, I invite you to join us at church on Sunday's at 1 p.m. We are a mid-singles ward; however, if you have a family please don't let that stop you. Please, join us for for our first meeting which is Sacrament meeting, and make sure you ask someone to introduce you to our ward mission leader. Our address is 6770 South 500 East, Midvale Utah, 84047.