Topics / Atonement
A turning, not a grovelling
Repentance
The Hebrew means turn and the Greek means change your mind. Neither means self-punishment, and scripture is markedly less interested in how bad a person feels than in which direction they are now facing.
20 min2 sections
The words
Both words describe a reorientation. Neither is primarily about feeling bad, which matters practically: a person can feel terrible without turning, and can turn while still feeling terrible.
The test, and the two sorrows
42Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Paul distinguishes two sorrows that feel similar from inside. One produces change; the other produces only shame, which is a poor engine for a long journey because it points at the self rather than at the direction of travel.
Principle
Repentance is a change of direction, evidenced by confession and forsaking, and the offer has no ceiling on it.
D&C 58:42–43 · Mosiah 26:29–30 · Moroni 6:8 · Ezekiel 18:21–23
What this topic holds
The scriptural words for repentance mean turning and rethinking, not grovelling.
Forgiveness is described as complete: 'I, the Lord, remember them no more.'
Check your reading
3 questions01What does the Greek metanoia mean literally?
02What two-part test does D&C 58:43 give?
03What does Paul say worldly sorrow produces?
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Sources