Over the past week I have spent a great deal of time cleaning out a closet in my home. In this particular closet I had stored several years of clothes for my children. I spent the time sorting through the boxes, organizing them and giving away the excess I had accumulated. As I finished up the job today, I felt a great deal of satisfaction, and peace because I knew that I had completed a job I have been putting off for over a year. I also though about how much this cleaning was like repentance.
As I addressed the problem, and committed to cleaning it up, I knew that I had a lot of work ahead of me. Similarly when you repent you need to acknowledge that you have committed a sin or transgression. Once you do that you need to commit to change. It is important to realize that the process may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
The next thing I did was set aside time each day to sort through the boxes. I took the time to carefully divide it into piles of keep, give away and discard. Similarly when we are repenting of a sin it is important to take time each day to pray and study the scriptures, this will help us grow closer to the Lord. We also need to form new habits to replace the old ones that are associated with the sin. Finally we need to discard our sins and begin a new life.
Depending on the seriousness of the sin, you may need to speak to your bishop. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive counsel and help in overcoming your past behavior. The bishop’s role is to help you truly repent. He may tell you ways to stop the sin or advise scriptures to read as contemplate repentance and the blessing of Atonement.
There will come a time when you receive the confirmation that you have been forgiven of the sin. At this time you will feel the peace that comes with this. You should also feel gratitude for the wonderful gift of the Atonement, which allows us to repent of our sins.
Related Articles:
General Conference: “Repentance, a Blessing of Membership”
General Conference: “The Great Plan of Happiness” by Elder Nash
General Conference: “I Will Remember Your Sins No More”