What They Said Wednesday–Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Full Talk

Talk: D. Todd Christofferson - Quorum of the Twelve

• Mormon thought it was important to include the story of Nehor in the Book of Mormon.
• Korihor preached as Nehor did, that:
  • Every man conquered according to his strengths
  • Denied sin and anything such
  • Whatever anyone feels is right is right
  • God will only beat us with a few stripes and then let us return to Him
• Repentance is the condition, and the Grace of Christ is the power by which we can return to our Father in Heaven.
• The prophetic call should be received with joy.
• Pretending there is no sin, does not lessen it’s pain.
• Repentance is a divine gift. We should have a smile on our faces when we speak of it.
• Repentance: it points us to freedom and confidence and peace.
  • The gift of repentance is a cause for true celebration
• We know that justification, or forgiveness of sin, through Jesus Chris is just and true.
• 5 aspects of this fundamental gospel principle
  • 1. Invitation to repent is an expression of love.
    • The Savior invites us to repent so we may become like He is and have the eternal life that He has
  • 2. Repentance means striving to change
    • It is a mockery for us to think that Christ should transform us into angelic beings without our effort and faith = repentance.
    • We seek his grace to complement and reward our most diligent efforts.
    • There is something holy in such striving
    • He that cannot abide a celestial law, could not abide in a Celestial Glory.
  • 3. Not just abandon sin but COMMITTING to obedience.
    • Turn to the lord with all your mind might and strength
    • Baptismal covenant = our covenant of obedience to Him
    • He showeth unto the children that he humble himself unto the father and keepeth the commandments.
    • Repentance is incomplete without this baptismal covenant.
    • The choice to repent is the choice to burn bridges in every direction, having determined to follow only the one way to return to Him
  • 4. Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain.
    • True repentance is not superficial.
    • if you repent, you confess and forsake
    • not a “check off the boxes” approach, with numbered steps
      • much more than a casual “I admit it! I’m sorry!”
      • Deep agonizing recognition with sorrow.
      • Bitter tears and deep regret
    • Through the love and Atonement of our Savior, deep despair turns into hope.
    • Resolve to abandon and forsake the sin forms in that NEW heart.
    • the once appealing sin becomes abhorrent
    • my soul is filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain (Alma)
    • The Savior spoke little about what he endured except for this one scripture:
      • “I have suffered these things for all that they might not have to suffer if they repent” (D&C 19:16-19)
  • 5. Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness
    • April 1847 Brigham Young lead Pioneers out of Winter quarters at the same time as the Donner party escaped the mountains
      • Spent winter
      • Starvation
    • John Breen... Describes camp near Johnston Ranch as blue and beautiful.
      • Pres. Packer - How can he forget all the struggles and suffering
      • Same as a person who truly repents. He who repents the same is forgiven, and I the Lord remember them no more
• The suffering, death of our Lord bring to pass the condition of repentance.
• I invite all to repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. In accepting this invitation, you will find joy, both now and forever.