young woman studying

February 28

What Does It Mean to Repent?

Doctrine and Covenants 18–19

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme or the Young Women Theme. Then lead a discussion about items such as the following, and plan ways to act on what you discuss (you can decide in a presidency meeting which items to discuss):

• Our quorum or class. Who is new to our ward, and how can we help them feel welcome? What are we doing to make our time in quorum or class meetings meaningful?

• Our duties or responsibilities. What are some duties and responsibilities we have as young men or young women? How can we better fulfill them?

• Our lives. What are we doing to become more like Jesus Christ and receive His power in our lives? What are we doing to help our families come unto Him?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

It is hard to read Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19 and not feel the Savior’s love for us. In these verses, He described the suffering He experienced as He atoned for our sins and revealed why He was willing to suffer so greatly—“that [we] might not suffer if [we] would repent.” Repentance is a blessing made possible by the Savior. It is a constant, daily effort to turn away from sin and turn to God. It is part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help us return to Him. Understanding how to repent can help us be cleansed of our sins, change our hearts and minds, and draw closer to God.

How has repentance helped you come closer to Heavenly Father? How can you help those you teach desire to repent? How can you help them see that repentance is a daily effort and not just reserved for serious sins? As you prepare to teach, consider studying President Russell M. Nelson’s message “We Can Do Better and Be Better” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67–69).

Jesus Christ praying

Christ in Gethsemane, by Harry Anderson

Learn Together

All prophets since the beginning have called upon people to repent. However, perhaps no invitation to repent is as poignant as the Savior’s found in Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–19, which the youth may have read this week. You might ask them what they learn about the Savior from these verses. What do these verses say about the importance of repentance in the Lord’s eyes? The following ideas can help those you teach see repentance as a daily blessing in their lives.

• To help quorum or class members understand how repentance blesses their lives, you could begin by asking these questions: How do I know if my efforts to repent are working? How will the Savior help me change? In addition to forgiveness of sin, what other blessings come from repentance? Invite class members to read one or more of the scriptures in “Supporting Resources,” looking for answers to the questions. What did they find? As part of this discussion, you could show the video “Repentance: A Joyful Choice” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Many young people misunderstand what it means to repent. They may dread repentance or think it applies only to serious sins. To help correct this misunderstanding, you could invite quorum or class members to study part of President Russell M. Nelson’s message “We Can Do Better and Be Better” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67–69), looking for phrases that help them understand what it means to repent. What did they find that helped them think about repentance in a new way? What blessings did President Nelson promise to those who repent?

• How can you help those you teach understand why and how we repent? President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Cleansed by Repentance” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 91–94) could help. You could divide the quorum or class into four groups and assign each group to read one of the four sections of President Oaks’s talk. Each group could then present a summary of what they read to the other groups, along with any scriptures from the message that support what they learned. You could conclude by asking quorum or class members to share their testimonies of the importance of repentance in God’s plan.

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• 2 Nephi 31:13; Enos 1:5–9; Mosiah 4:9–12; 27:23–26, 35; Alma 19:33; 36:18–21, 24; 37:9; Helaman 15:7–8; Moroni 6:8; Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43; 64:9–10 (Scriptures about repentance)

• Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16 (Repentance brings joy)

• “Repentance,” in For the Strength of Youth (2011), 28–29

• “Repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (2019), 62–63

• “Repentance Is a Blessing to All of Us,” “Atonement—Not a One-Time Thing” (videos), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior invited others to act in faith and live the truths He taught. What can you do to help those you teach see the power of daily repentance? (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 31, 35.)