Sin, the violation of law, is held in
abhorrence by the Church of Christ. The Lord cannot “look upon sin with the least
degree of allowance.” (D. & C. 1:31.)
Nevertheless, while sin cannot be
condoned, the way of repentance has been provided by which the sinner may win
forgiveness. True repentance consists of two steps (a) Confession of the sin,
and (b) Forsaking the sin and doing it no more. (D. & C. 58:43.)
Repentance entitles a person to
forgiveness and the Lord remembers the sin no more against the person, for He
is “merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts.” (D. &
C. 58:42; 61:2.)
Even as the Lord forgives His children,
so must we forgive our brethren and sisters. If they have offended us, we
should be more eagerly ready to forgive them. We are not to sit in judgment
upon our fellowmen. The Lord has so spoken. “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I
will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” (D. & C.
64:10.) When a person has made restitution, all should forget his wrong, and it
should not be gossiped about.
The act of forgiveness should not be
delayed. Many of the most serious difficulties have come about because the
parties concerned have failed to take prompt and kindly action. A little thing
is magnified through clouds of gossip and imaginary constructions.
Naturally, if a person sin again after
having been once forgiven, the next forgiveness will be slower in coming, and
if the fault continues to be repeated, the time of forgiveness may be greatly
delayed. Men must not tempt the Lord. Even in such cases, we, his fellow creatures,
must not condemn him, but leave him with the Lord in whose hands is all justice
as well as vengeance.
Members of the Church should attempt
to settle their own difficulties, instead of bringing them before the Church.
The Priesthood branch teachers should secure, if possible, friendly reconciliations
among contending members. It is only when these, the best means, fail, that
disputes should be brought before the officers of the Church for examination
and judgment.
The repentant person acknowledges that
he has been in sin, first to himself, then to the Lord and, also, to the
persons he has offended or who have a right to know.
If the fault is only between him and
the Lord, humble confession to the Lord is sufficient; it against a brother, acknowledgment
to him is required; and if against the law, order and discipline of the Church,
to the proper officers of the Church.
Confession of sin does not imply
unnecessary humiliation of him who confesses. The good name, reputation and
feelings of our brethren and sisters, whether in fault or not, should be
carefully protected. If the fault has been of a public nature, the confession must
be made publicly; if it be a secret or person offense, there should be only a secret
or personal confession. It is against the spirit of the Church to spread news
of a brother’s faults. (John A. Widtsoe, Program of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints [Salt Lake City: The Deseret News Press, 1937],
172-73)
Repentance. (1 John 3:4; James 4:17; Romans 2:12.) This is
the second law or principle of the Gospel. Repentance is a natural result of
faith. A living faith impels its possessor to turn away from evil and toward
righteousness. Knowledge which does not so lead men can not be classed as
faith. Repentance, indeed, is active faith.
Repentance has a two-fold aspect. First,
the repentant man turns away from the evil revealed by his faith. He sins no
more. Secondly, he turns towards that which is good. That is, he performs the
duties that the law requires of him. A neutral man, who commits no sin, but
fails entirely to do his duties, is only partially repentant. In other words,
works are required of the truly repentant man, and are the marks of his repentance.
Repentance and obedience are but as the palm and the back of the hand, parts of
the same organ. Wherever we turn within the plan of salvation the necessity of
works becomes evident. (Ibid., 214)