Study Guide for "Cleansed by Repentance"

In this talk, President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the power of repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of repentance in our mortal lives, the role of accountability and mortal judgments, the process of the Final Judgment, and the merciful love of God. He encourages all to repent and come unto Christ to receive the blessings of His Atonement.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the role of repentance in our mortal lives?
How does President Oaks contrast the laws of man and the laws of God?
What are the consequences of not repenting before the Final Judgment?
What is the process of the Final Judgment as described in the scriptures?
How does God's love influence His plan and commandments?

Topics

Understanding the Joy and Necessity of Repentance

Repentance is not a burden but a joy and a never-ending privilege. It is fundamental to our progression and peace of mind. It begins with faith in Jesus Christ who takes away our sins. Repentance is essential as without it, we cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven. We must repent of all our sins and no one is exempt from this.

Repentance begins with our Savior, and it is a joy, not a burden.

We begin with faith in Jesus Christ, because "it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world" (Alma 5:48).

"except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven" (Alma 5:51).

What does it mean that repentance is a "joy, not a burden"?
Why is repentance essential for inheriting the kingdom of heaven?
Why does repentance begin with faith in Jesus Christ?
How can you make repentance a joy and not a burden in your life?
In what ways can you exercise faith in Jesus Christ as you repent?
What steps can you take today to repent of a particular sin?

Recognizing Accountability and Mortal Judgments

In God's plan, we are accountable to Him and His chosen servants. This accountability involves both mortal and divine judgments. Mortal judgments determine our readiness for baptism, temple attendance, and readmission into the Church after serious transgressions. These judgments are not about perfection or forgiveness of sins but about our progress on the covenant path.

One purpose of God's plan for this mortal experience is to "prove" us "to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]" (Abraham 3:25).

When a mortal judge called of God approves a person for further progress, such as temple privileges, he is not signifying that person as perfect, and he is not forgiving any sins.

What does it mean to be accountable to God and His chosen servants?
What is the role of mortal judgments in our spiritual progression?
How does a mortal judge's approval relate to our perfection and forgiveness of sins?
How can you better understand and appreciate the judgments made by Church leaders?
In what ways can you demonstrate your readiness for spiritual progress?
How does understanding this principle change your perspective on Church discipline?

Understanding Resurrection and the Final Judgment

The Final Judgment, which follows the Resurrection, determines whether we have achieved a "mighty change of heart" (Alma 5:14) and become new creatures. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the judge of this. To be clean before God, we must repent before the Final Judgment. The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the only way to achieve the needed cleansing through repentance.

The purpose of this Final Judgment is to determine whether we have achieved what Alma described as a "mighty change of heart" (see Alma 5:14, 26), where we have become new creatures, with "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2).

To assure that we will be clean before God, we must repent before the Final Judgment (see Mormon 3:22).

The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the only way to achieve the needed cleansing through repentance, and this mortal life is the time to do it.

What is the purpose of the Final Judgment?
Why must we repent before the Final Judgment?
How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ help us achieve the needed cleansing through repentance?
What steps can you take now to prepare for the Final Judgment?
How can you better utilize the Atonement of Jesus Christ in your process of repentance?
What changes might you need to make in your life to ensure you are clean before God?

Experiencing the Arms of Mercy

God's love for us is overarching His plan and all His commandments. He extends His arms of mercy towards all of us, ready to receive anyone who will come unto Him. Our Savior opens His arms to receive all men and women on the loving conditions He has prescribed to enjoy the greatest blessings God has for His children.

Overarching God's plan and all of His commandments is His love for each of us, which is "most desirable above all things … and the most joyous to the soul" (1 Nephi 11:22-23).

From these and many other scriptural teachings, we know that our loving Savior opens His arms to receive all men and women on the loving conditions He has prescribed to enjoy the greatest blessings God has for His children.

What does it mean that God's arms of mercy are extended towards us?
How does God's love influence His plan and commandments?
What are the "loving conditions" that Christ has prescribed for us to enjoy God's blessings?
How have you experienced God's arms of mercy in your life?
In what ways can you come unto Christ to receive His blessings?
How can understanding God's love for you influence your commitment to His commandments?