“When you have done all within your power to overcome your mistakes, and have determined in your heart that you will never repeat them again, then… peace of conscience [can come to you] by which you will know that your sins have been forgiven.”
– Harold B. Lee
“We grow in two ways – removing negative weeds and cultivating positive flowers. The Savior’s grace blesses both parts – if we do our part. First and repeatedly we must uproot the weeds of sin and bad choices. It isn’t enough just to mow the weeds. Yank them out by the roots, repenting fully to satisfy the conditions of mercy. But being forgiven is only part of our growth. We are not just paying a debt. Our purpose is to become celestial beings. So once we’ve cleared our heartland, we must continually plant, weed, and nourish the seeds of divine qualities. And then as our sweat and discipline stretch us to meet His gifts, ‘the flowers of grace appear’, like hope and meekness. Even a tree of life can take root in this heart-garden, bearing fruit so sweet that it lightens all our burdens ‘through the joy of his Son’ (Alma 33:23). And when the flower of charity blooms here, we will love others with the power of Christ’s own love.”
– Bruce C. Hafen
“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the very definition of insanity.”
– Albert Einstein*
“Now let us confess it, all of us are ‘sinners anonymous.’ All of us have done things we ought not to have done, or we have neglected things we should have done; and every one of us has need for repentance. So let us not spend too much time confessing the other fellow’s sins. Ours is the responsibility to find our own need for repentance.”
– Harold B. Lee
“Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. 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.”
– D. Todd Christofferson
“We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently. . . We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present, but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“When there has been wrongdoing and then there has come repentance, followed by forgiveness, then literally the offender who has lost is found, and he who was dead is made alive.”
– Gordon B. Hinckley
“No pain will last forever. It is not easy, but life was never meant to be either easy or fair. Repentance and the lasting hope that forgiveness brings will always be worth the effort.”
– Boyd K. Packer
“Remember: Repentance is not a punishment. It is the hope filled path to a more glorious future.”
– Richard G. Scott
“Regardless of your past, your future is spotless.”
– Unknown
