Oscar Walter McConkie (1926-2020), the younger brother of Bruce McConkie, wrote the following about the process of repentance, which also captures the importance of the ordinance of the “Sacrament” (Lord’s Supper/Eucharist) in LDS theology:
First Responsibility:
Our Own Repentance
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8.) The need for repentance is universal. How do we repent? To answer this question, we must examine each element of the process of repentance. These elements, outlined for us in the scriptures, apply to every member of the Church. They are:
1. Godly sorrow. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10.) First, we must recognize the need for repentance in our lives. We must want to escape from the hurtful effects of sin. We must recognize our guilt and be sorry for it. The process of forgiveness starts here.
2. Forsake sin. "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (D&C 58:43.) One must stop doing what he would be forgiven of. "Cease to do evil." (Isaiah 1:16.)
3. Confession of sins. "I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death." (D&C 64:7.) We must always confess our sins to God, to aggrieved persons, and under some circumstances to the Lord's representative, his appointed judge in Israel, under whose jurisdiction we live.
4. Restitution. If one is to repent, he must bring forth "fruits meet for repentance."
(Matthew 3:7-9.) He must act consistent with repentance. Restitution to an injured party was a standing law in Israel. (Numbers 5:6-7.) Wherever possible, the wrong must be righted as a part of true repentance. Restitution means restoration, to make amends for the offense committed.
5. Live the law. "He that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven." (D&C 1:32.) The final essential characteristic of true repentance is that the penitent live the law of the gospel. Complete forgiveness is reserved for those who turn their whole hearts to God and begin to keep all of his commandments.
We may repent over and over again, for each sin calls for repentance. However, when we repeat a trespass, we evidence that we really did not repent of it. We do not forsake it. Therefore, each time we sin, repentance becomes more difficult. "I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God." (D&C 82:7.) The effects of repentance are thus conditioned upon continued righteousness.
6. Partake of the sacrament. Finally, to gain forgiveness through repentance a person must accept the cleansing power of the blood of Christ as it is offered through the renewal of the baptismal covenants in the sacrament. (D&C 20:75-79; John 6:54.) One receives forgiveness through the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 27:19-20.)
Second Responsibility: To Teach and Demonstrate Repentance
Having immersed himself in the process of repentance, the bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood has further responsibility in the gospel of repentance. He must not only be good, but he must also be good for something. He must repent and then teach others to repent.
The holder of this priesthood has a duty "to preach, teach, expound, exhort." Even in the concept of repentance, a priesthood bearer does not worship alone. It is in concert with his fellows that the fulness of the gospel of repentance is realized.
We must be involved in service: service that builds up the kingdom of God from within and service that proselytes others to the cause of truth. We must demonstrate the effects of repentance.
Repentance is such an important aspect of the gospel and its propagation that missionaries are under instruction to "say nothing but repentance unto this generation." (D&C 6:9-11; 11:9.) This means to teach the fundamental principles of the gospel. (Oscar W. McConkie, Aaronic Priesthood [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1977], 66-8, emphasis added)
Elsewhere in this short volume, McConkie had a succinct piece on Christ, not as our substitute, but more of our representative and how such ties into the theology of priesthood in the Latter-day Saint tradition:
As in all matters pertaining to salvation, Jesus was a perfect example. He is the sole perfect exemplar, the prototype of our salvation. As he was baptized, so we must be baptized. (John 3:5; 2 Nephi 31:12-21.) As he received the holy priesthood to merit the fulness of salvation, so must those who would be joint heirs with him also receive the holy priesthood. (D&C 107:5, 8, 18-19). (Ibid., 3)
Further Reading
