Short Sermon

Repentance is the Easiest Thing

by Paul E. Black

For many people "repentance" conjures up images of agonizing humiliation: something to be avoided as long as possible. I maintain that repentance is the easiest thing we can do, not the hardest.

What is Repentance?

Let me start by defining "repentance." The term means permanent change for the better. Not just breaking bad habits, or starting good ones, but to have one's heart changed to "no more desire to do evil." (Alma 19:33) [1] Helaman 15:7 says, "... faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart ..." [2]

Repentance requires sorrow, restitution, confession of serious sins, prayer, and abandoning the sin forever. This is a lot of soul-harrowing work! Why in the world would anyone say this course is the easiest?

God Wants the Best for Us

First, God loves us and wants the best for us. He does not want us to suffer. Rather he would that we were all without sin and never suffered its ravages. He wants us to take the best possible path through life, the one which will bring us the least suffering and the most joy [3]: "Take my yoke upon you, ... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29 & 30)

God Knows What is Best

Second, God knows all things. "[the Lord's] understanding is infinite" (Psalms 147:5) He knows the past, the present, and all consequences of our choices. He knows the best way to achieve any goal. It is clear to him what our optimal choice is in any situation we may be. [4]

God Commands Us to Repent

Third, God invites and even commands us to turn from whatever wickedness there is to him. "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2) This command was not just to the Israelites at the time of Christ, but to all men in all ages. "[God] sendeth an invitation unto all men [to] Repent" (Alma 5:33) Indeed he has commanded us by his own voice and by the prophets ancient and modern. "the LORD testified ..., by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways" (2 Kings 17:13) [5]

Therefore, repentance must be the easiest thing for us in the long run. Consider the alternative. Increasing misery and alienation from God and his spirit as a lifetime of sins accumulate and weigh down our soul. In the next world the best we can look forward to is suffering for our sins even as Christ did [6] and an eternity of remorse knowing what we could have had.

Brothers and sisters, take the easy way out.

1. The scripture references in this article are to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible (King James Version), The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. These are scriptures accepted as cannon by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
2. See also
   • Ezekiel 18:30 (and 14:6) repent ... turn from transgressions
   • Acts 26:20 repent and turn to God
   • 2 Corinthians 3:18 We all [are] changed ... by the Spirit
   • 1 Nephi 16:39 they did turn away their anger ... and repent
   • Mosiah 5:2 Spirit wrought change in us ... we have no more disposition to do evil
   • Mosiah 11:21 (repent and turn to the Lord)
   • Alma 5:13 he preached the word and a mighty change was wrought in their hearts
   • 3 Nephi 11:37 repent and become as a little child
   • Ether 4:6 repent of iniquity and become clean
3. See also
   • 2 Nephi 2:25 men are, that they might have joy.
   • 1 John 5:3 his commandments are not grievous
   • Proverbs 13:15 way of the transgressor is hard
   • 1 Nephi 17:41 because of the easiness of [the way]
   • Moses 1:39 my work ... [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man
4. See also
   • Isaiah 55:8 & 9 my ways are higher than your ways
   • 1 Samuel 2:3 Lord is a God of knowledge
   • 1 Chronicles 28:9 Lord ... understandeth all
   • Matthew 10:29 sparrows ... shall not fall on the ground without your Father
   • Romans 11:33 wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable
   • 2 Nephi 2:24 all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
   • Words of Mormon 1:7 Lord knoweth all things which are to come
   • Alma 26:35 all wisdom and all understanding, he comprehendeth all things
5. See also
   • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance
   • Mark 1:15 repent ye, and believe the gospel.
   • Luke 24:47 repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations
   • John 8:11 go, and sin no more.
   • Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you
   • Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness
   • 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord [wills] that all should come to repentance.
   • Doctrine & Covenants 49:8 I will that all men shall repent
   • Moses 6:23 preachers ... called upon all men, everywhere, to repent
   • also Revelation 2:16, Revelation 3:3, 2 Nephi 2:21, 2 Nephi 9:23, 2 Nephi 26:27, 3 Nephi 11:32, Doctrine & Covenants 18:9, Doctrine & Covenants 18:42, Doctrine & Covenants 20:29, Doctrine & Covenants 133:16, Moses 6:50, Moses 6:57
6. "if they would not repent they must suffer even as I" (Doctrine & Convenants 19:17) See also Doctrine & Convenants 19: 15 - 18.

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