If you are going to repent, you need to know who you're talking to

Readings: Mosiah 4-6

Almost all of the lessons I've taught this year in The Book of Mormon, in some way or another, have pointed to the importance of knowing God.  Almost all of the prophets from Nephi to the prophets with King Benjamin have ask the people to know God, but none are more plain than King Benjamin (4:9-11):

 9 Believe in ^aGod; believe that he is, and that he ^bcreated all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all^cwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not ^dcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

 10 And again, believe that ye must ^arepent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in^bsincerity of heart that he would ^cforgive you; and now, if you^dbelieve all these things see that ye ^edo them.

 11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have ^atasted of his love, and have received a^bremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own ^cnothingness, and his ^dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of ^ehumility, ^fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing ^gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

It hit me while studying this chapter, that our view of God may determine if and how we repent, or ask for help to change our lives.  If we have a tendency to think of him as a vengeful God, perhaps we are hesitant to approach him.  If we think of him as a just God and are afraid of retribution, perhaps we might not repent, or want help in changing at all.  If we don't believe in God at all, perhaps any change won't be complete.  However, if we understand that God exists and, as King Benjamin says, is full of wisdom, power, (and in v 6) patient, long-suffering, a creator and that He loves us, then He seems much more approachable.

With repenting, or desiring a true change in your life, a respect and appreciation of ALL God's attributes are necessary, whether they may seem harsh to us or not.  Justice after all can be on our side, if we satisfy the demands of justice that we have control over and also rely on Jesus Christ to satisfy the demands of justice we don't have control over.  As much as we might worry about paying consequences, when we are ready to change and desire a peaceful life, paying consequences seems the only right thing to do.  Tad R. Callister, in his book "The Infinite Atonement," (which I highly recommend), explains repentance this way:

[True repentance] is a melting, softening, refining process that brings about a mighty change of heart.  It is manifest by those who come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits.  It is a burning resolve to make amends with God at any cost.  Such a change means “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:12).  Tad R. Callister, “The Infinite Atonement, “ pg 178.

There will be newfound reservoirs of compassion for those who may have been hurt, perhaps sore embarrassment, and finally and always a willingness to submit to whatever is necessary – be it apology, confession, disciplinary action or any other divine requirement – in order to make amends with God.  There will be an absence of excuses, alibis, and blaming of others.  There will be a complete acceptance of responsibility for our attitudes and actions, and an unyielding commitment to be right with God.  In essence, repentance brings us to a moment of total intellectual, emotional, and spiritual integrity – when we can say we have mastered the counsel of Polonius, “To thine own self be true.” Tad R. Callister, “The Infinite Atonement, “ pg 184.

Here is what King Benjamin says we must do to repent (v 9 & 11):

·      Believe in God and all his perfections

·      Repent of your sins and forsake them

·      Humble yourselves before God (different than repenting?)

·      Ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you

·      Remember the greatness of God

·      Remember your own nothingness

·      Humble yourselves

·      Call on the Lord daily

·      Stand steadfast in the faith

In Mosiah 4:12-13 we learn the blessings of believing, doing and repenting:

·      Ye shall always rejoice

·      Be filled with the love of God

·      Retain a remission of your sins

·      Grow in the knowledge of God

·      Grow in the knowledge of that which is just and true

·      Will not have a mind to injure one another

    Live peaceably

    After reading these blessings, I want to repent more than I do!  Which is something to ponder.  I read a talk by Elder Bruce C. Hafen called "Beauty for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus Christ" about three times and I still want to read it again to understand more what I can do become the person God knows I can become.  A few times during this talk, he said the Atonement is not only for repenting so we can be with God again (as no unclean thing can be in His presence - Moses 6:57), but that it is to help us become like God.  I suppose this is a foreign concept to many and one that would seem lofty and aspiring. But I don't think it is.  I do not want to be like the kind of God the world refers to - Greek Gods who do what they may with people, or a God that rules because of power.  The God I know is God because he loves.  I want to be like that.  Whether I end up an actual God or not, I don't know, but working to love people is the best motivation for anything. I can work on that.

    Just as a side note, Elder Hafen talks about the Atonement covering not only sins, but inadequacies too, and make some interesting points about the differences of sins and inadequacies.

    King Benjamin goes on to explain that after we have repented, loving people is exactly what should come next.  After our lives come in line with God (something that can happen over and over in life), the peace and joy we feel from that naturally leads to wanting others to have the same peace and joy, so we must do what we can to help people in whatever circumstance the spirit directs, because (Mosiah 4:19, 21):

1  9 For behold, are we not all ^abeggars? Do we not all dependupon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which wehave, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, andfor all the riches which we have of every kind?

21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you aredependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, dothgrant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believingthat ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to ^aimpart of thesubstance that ye have one to another.

    King Benjamin must have had a proper eternal perspective.  He must have figured out how to view life as a continuum and not just the moment in time he was in.  How wonderful to have his wisdom.  I recommend reading chapters 4 and 5.  In fact, if the world were to read Mosiah chapters 2-5 every day/week, there would be a lot more love and kindness. I certainly need the reminder often.