THE OTHER SIDE OF REPENTANCE

One of my favorite parts of the Book of Mormon takes place between the years 279 BC and 124 BC during the reign of the three prophet-kings, Mosiah, his son Benjamin and his grandson Mosiah. We don’t have a lot of detail of those days, but we know they lived according to the Plan of Happiness, their leaders labored with their own hands so that the people would not be burdened and they universally arrived at a point where the Lord Omnipotent wrought a mighty change upon their hearts so that they no longer had any disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. (Book of Mormon – pages 140-157)

Many of the religions of the world share the belief that the purpose of mortality is to go through a refining process which prepares us to share an existence in God’s presence. For example, Judaism adheres to the principle that mortality is a time to live a life worthy of living in God’s presence and that this will best be achieved by making the world we live in a better place because we were here. In Christianity we consider success on the path which leads to this return to God’s presence is found by following the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

I have often pondered, if I am to follow the example of Jesus Christ, how much time should I be spending on overcoming my disposition to do evil?

The New Testament is adamant about the fact that His life was a perfect walk upon the path of doing good continually. Therefore, following His example should indicate a life, which like those Nephites of old, focuses not on overcoming evil, but on doing good continually. There is also a strong indication that mere mortals will, like He, need an abundance of divine intervention to be able to approximate His accomplishment.

Somewhere during the inevitable changes which seem to occur in the religions of the world the emphasis of repentance has drifted from a concentration on putting on good attributes and characteristics to a definite emphasis on overcoming the evil tendencies of mortals. For just a few minutes I would like to consider the original process of repentance or the striving to do good continually.

THE OTHER SIDE OF REPENTANCE:
1. Rather than trying not to steal, rob and cheat I will strive to be honest in all my dealings.

2. Rather than trying not to use biting, harsh, critical words I will strive to speak words which edify and build.

3. Rather than trying to overcome hate and bigotry I will strive to develop a universal love for mankind.

4. Rather than trying not to put stumbling blocks and dig pits for my neighbor I will strive to make their pathways bright and build bridges to make their journeys easier
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5. Rather than trying to overcome the lusts of the flesh I will strive to demonstrate true love to all by helping them become all they can become.

6. Rather than fighting the war against the propaganda of the world of junk food I will strive to treat my body as a temple and a gift from a loving Heavenly Father.

7. Rather than trying to control anger and its attending physical calamities I will strive to keep peace and calmness in of my life.

8. Rather than trying to eliminate coveting from my life I will strive to develop a greater degree of charity toward others.

9. Rather than cursing my brother for his differences I will strive to be grateful for the synergistic gifts which I enjoy because of those differences.

10. Rather than coercion, and compulsion I will strive to teach correct principles and allow all under my stewardships the privileges, responsibilities and accountability of agency.

11. Rather than trying to overcome pride I will strive to become humble.

Ten has always been my limit when trying to demonstrate a point, but my wonderful editor wanted me to add one more. Therefore, these eleven points should be more than sufficient to clarify what I have been thinking about.

A couple of personal observations:

As I have struggled and stumbled through the phases of my life I have come to realize that overcoming the evil I have been tempted with has been mainly an independent struggle with some help from others and some help from my loving Heavenly Father. However, in those hours which I have really concentrated on doing good continually I have come to realize that this path cannot be trod without divine intervention and guidance from the Holy Spirit. After all, this gift was wrought upon those ancient Nephites, they did not gain it by themselves.

As the phases of life have multiplied and the days remaining in mortality grow much shorter than those which are past, I realize that the Lord’s admonition from the mount to become perfect even as His Father in Heaven is perfect is a task I will be trying to fulfill well into the post mortal phases of my progression.

I realize now more than ever before that waiting for my neighbor to become saintly will in no way help my personal eligibility to dwell eternally with Heavenly Father, but if this mighty change is to bear fruit it must begin with me.

It took me a long time, but I have finally come to the realization that the positive work of trying to put on the attributes and characteristics of good is a much more pleasant and peaceful journey than when I was continually trying to overcome my disposition to do evil. It really is the very key to living according to the Plan of Happiness.

May the Lord bless us all with his sustaining grace as we strive to become as He is.