Create the Outline before class begins.
HP Group both a quorum of action and of learning. To organize the group to help those in need is very important for our process of sanctification.
A. Introduction - Read a paragraph or two about the Nehor religion
As in the days of Nehor and Korihor, we live in a time not long
before the advent of Jesus Christ—in our case, the time of preparation for His
Second Coming. And similarly, the message of repentance is often not welcomed.
Some profess that if there is a God, He makes no real demands upon us (see Alma 18:5). Others maintain that a loving God forgives
all sin based on simple confession, or if there actually is a punishment for
sin, “God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the
kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 28:8). Others, with Korihor, deny the
very existence of Christ and any such thing as sin. Their doctrine is that
values, standards, and even truth are all relative. Thus, whatever one feels is
right for him or her cannot be judged by others to be wrong or sinful.
On the surface such philosophies seem appealing because they give
us license to indulge any appetite or desire without concern for consequences.
By using the teachings of Nehor and Korihor, we can rationalize and justify
anything. When prophets come crying repentance, it “throws cold water on the
party.” But in reality the prophetic call should be received with joy. 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.
Refer to the outline on board
- Teachings of Nehor in our Day.
- Repentance, Grace and the Atonement
- Five Aspects of Repentance
- The invitation to repent is an expression of love.
- Repentance means striving to change.
- Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also a committing to obedience.
- Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain
- Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgivenes
B. Learner Readiness - {establish that we still need repentance}
Q: Do we as High Priests in the true church of Jesus Christ need the principle of repentance? I mean, we have been baptized, we have made covenants, we go to church on Sunday and keep certain outward commandments by which we are declared worthy to go to the temple.
Q: Do we need repentance?
Q: What do we need to repent of?
- sins of character
- internal sins
- sins contrary to the Law of the Gospel
Q: What kind of sins are these? Name some of them?
[look at Moroni 7, the attributes of charity; look at Alma 7 for more attributes; Sermon on the Mount]
Q: Is it possible to correct these things? How is it possible? What is required?
Q: Have we established that we still need repentance?
C: Learner Involvement
Say: Well, let's learn about repentance, but as we do so, be thinking about how each principle applies in your life right now. I once met a good latter day saint sister that told me that she had nothing to pray to God for. Her prayers were short. I she was talking, I immediately thought of a dozen things that I need help with.
Section 2 - Repentance, Grace and the Atonement
Work through the Elder Christopherson quote line by line
'B' 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.
'C' Repentance exists as an option only because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that “bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15). Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which “mercy can satisfy the demands of justice” (Alma 34:16). Our witness is this:
“We know that justification [or forgiveness of sins] through the
grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;
“And we know also, that
sanctification [or purification from the effects of sin] through the grace of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and
serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength” Section 3 - Five Aspects of Repentance
(1) The invitation to repent is an expression of love.
Read D: "If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves."
Q: What does it mean to demand repentance of ourselves?
(2) Repentance means striving to change.
Read E: It would mock the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross for us to expect that He should transform us into angelic beings with no real effort on our part. Rather, we seek His grace to complement and reward our most diligent efforts.
Q: What does it mean to seek His grace to complement our most diligent efforts?
Q: What does it mean to seek His grace to reward our most diligent efforts?
Read F: Perhaps as much as praying for mercy, we should pray for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome. Surely the Lord smiles upon one who desires to come to judgment worthily, who resolutely labors day by day to replace weakness with strength.
Q: Do any of you have experiences praying for time and opportunity to work, strive and overcome?
Q: what happens when we pray for time and opportunity? What are we wanting? (We want that particular sin to no longer have affect in our lives)
Example of February 2. Everything was going wrong. I recognized it and choose not get all worked up.
I prayed for opportunity the night before. This a minor example but it will suffice.
1. Out to lunch with Daughter, having major problems with roommates. Just listened with patience.
2. Foot needs an operation
3. 6:15, no answer from my wife regarding going to the temple that night.
4. Wife calls at 6:45 saying she want to go. I am driving and turn around. We get to the temple late. I make a choice not to be bothered.
5. Forgot may cell phone. But found after driving all the way back to the temple.
6. T-mobile example
Q: What does it mean to labor day by day to replace weaknesses with strengths?
Q: Why would we want to do this?
Q: After we have the outward manifestations of repentance down in our lives what do we begin to work on?
Read G: Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving.
I have come to the conclusion that whatever sins or weaknesses that we continue to repeat and have not overcome will require more assistance and grace than previously realized or understood. What changes to do we need to make in our personal plan to discontinue our recidivisim?
(3) Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also a committing to obedience
Read H - For our turning to the Lord to be complete, it must include
nothing less than a covenant of obedience to Him. We often speak of this
covenant as the baptismal covenant since it is witnessed by being baptized in
water… Without this covenant, repentance remains incomplete and the remission
of sins unattained.
(4) Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain
I - Attempts to create a list of specific steps of repentance may
be helpful to some, but it may also lead to a mechanical, check-off-the-boxes
approach with no real feeling or change. True repentance is not superficial.
The Lord gives two overarching requirements: “By this ye may know if a man
repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43).
(5) Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness
President Boyd K. Packer
provided this analogy:
“In April of 1847, Brigham Young led the first company of pioneers
out of Winter Quarters. At that same time, 1,600 miles [2,575 km] to the west
the pathetic survivors of the Donner Party straggled down the slopes of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains into the Sacramento Valley.
“They had spent the ferocious winter trapped in the snowdrifts
below the summit. That any survived the days and weeks and months of starvation
and indescribable suffering is almost beyond belief.
“Among them was fifteen-year-old John Breen. On the night of April
24 he walked into Johnson’s Ranch. Years later John wrote:
“‘It was long after dark when we got to Johnson’s Ranch, so the
first time I saw it was early in the morning. The weather was fine, the ground
was covered with green grass, the birds were singing from the tops of the
trees, and the journey was over. I could scarcely believe that I was alive.
“‘The scene that I saw that morning seems to be photographed on my
mind. Most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp
near Johnson’s Ranch.’”
Said President Packer: “At first I was very puzzled by his
statement that ‘most of the incidents are gone from memory.’ How could long
months of incredible suffering and sorrow ever be gone from his mind? How could
that brutal dark winter be replaced with one brilliant morning?
“On further reflection I decided it was not puzzling at all. I
have seen something similar happen to people I have known. I have seen some who
have spent a long winter of guilt and spiritual starvation emerge into the
morning of forgiveness. When morning came, they learned this:
“‘Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven,
and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ [D&C 58:42].”4
Conclusion
The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter
Other ideas:
Alma 38:13 Do not apray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen that they pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom.
14 Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are abetter than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my bunworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.
Q: Is there an underlying attitude that Alma is teaching Shiblon to have?
Q: Are we unworthy before God or worthy?
Q: If we are worthy before God, why does Alma tell his returned missionary son to pray this way?
Other Questions if there is time Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul, for indeed “virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; [and] mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own” (D&C 88:40).
Q: Why does divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to person who striving to make real change, attempting repeatedly after each failure?
Q: Can mercy and healing flow to us who are long time members of the church? Do we need this or are we perfect?
Q: Is there an underlying attitude humble follower of Christ possesses?
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