“We Can Repent,” For the Strength of Youth, Mar. 2023.
I Can Do All Things through Christ
Youth share how Christ has strengthened them to do hard things (see Philippians 4:13).
We Can Repent
Even though I was baptized when I was eight years old, I didn’t always do the right things. When I was a teenager, I started hanging out with a group of guys, and we started getting into things I knew weren’t good.
After my sister got married, she helped me come back to the Church. I learned about the importance of the Word of Wisdom and treating my body well.
But one day, I committed another serious sin. I felt that I couldn’t have the Spirit or the power of the priesthood with me. I felt very worthless and didn’t think I’d be able to complete my responsibilities at church, like blessing and passing the sacrament.
But the gospel taught me that we can always repent. It was hard to go see my bishop and confess my sin. It was hard to know people could see me walk into the bishop’s office. But I wanted the Lord’s peace, and I wanted to repent.
My bishop said a prayer with me and told me that the Lord is always merciful to those who seek to repent and that I’d be able to recover from my mistake. I’ve now started reading the scriptures and praying, and I know it helps me resist temptation.
If the process of repentance is hard for you, you should always remember the gift of Jesus Christ and His miraculous Atonement. All of us sin and make mistakes, and we won’t gain perfection in this life. But through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the blood He shed for us, we can always repent. With the help of the Lord, we can move forward towards perfection.
Kenneth B., Tonga