The Path to Peace and Joy in Christ

 

The Path to Peace and Joy

By Elder Richard G. Scott

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

(excerpts from his talk October 2000)

An angel commanded Adam to 

“repent and call upon God 

in the name of the Son forevermore.” 

Each one of us is commanded to both 

repent and to call upon God continually throughout life. 

That pattern allows 

each day to be an unspoiled page in the book of life, 

a new, fresh opportunity. 

We are given the 

rejuvenating privilege 

of overcoming mistakes of 

commission or omission, 

be they small or profoundly serious. 

Full repentance results in forgiveness 

with spiritual renewal. 

One can feel the cleansing, 

the purity, 

the freshness 

that accompanies sincere repentance 

at any time in life.

"O how great the goodness of our God, 

who prepareth a way for our escape 

from the grasp of this awful monster; 

yea, that monster, death and hell, 

which I call the death of the body, 

and also the death of the spirit."

2 Nephi 9:8–10

Why have our Father and His Son commanded us to repent? 

Because they love us. 

They know all of us will violate eternal laws. 

Whether they be small or large, 

justice requires that every broken law be satisfied 

to retain the promise of 

joy in this life and the privilege of 

returning to Father in Heaven. 

If not satisfied, 

in the Day of Judgment justice will cause that we be 

cast out of the presence of God to be under the control of Satan.

It is our Master 

and His redeeming act 

that make it possible 

for us to avoid such condemnation. 

It is done through 

faith in Jesus Christ,

 obedience to His commandments, 

and enduring in righteousness to the end.

“True repentance is not only 

sorrow for sins, 

and humble penitence and contrition before God, 

but it involves the necessity 

of turning away from them, 

a discontinuance of all evil practices … 

a thorough reformation of life, 

a vital change from evil to good … 

to make restitution, so far as … 

possible, for all the wrongs we have done. … 

This is true repentance, 

and the exercise of the will and all the powers of [the] body and mind 

is demanded, 

to complete this glorious work of repentance.”

President Joseph F. Smith 

To the vital steps of 

recognition, sorrow, abandonment, confession, 

and restitution where possible, 

it is also essential to add the requirement 

to diligently keep all of the commandments of God. 

For the Lord has declared: 

“I the Lord 

cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

“Nevertheless, 

he that repents and 

does the commandments of the Lord 

shall be forgiven.”

D&C 1:31–32

If you have repented from serious transgression 

and mistakenly believe that you will always 

be a second-class citizen in the kingdom of God, 

learn that is not true. 

The Savior said:

“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, 

the same is forgiven, 

and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

“By this ye may know 

if a man repenteth of his sins—

behold, he will confess them and forsake them.”

D&C 58:42–43

Have you wandered 

from the path of joy 

and now find yourself 

where you do not want to be, 

with feelings 

you do not want to have? 

Is there a yearning to 

return to the peace and joy of a worthy life? 

I invite you with all 

the love of my heart to 

repent and come back. 

Decide to do it now. 

That journey is not as difficult as it seems. 

You can cast out guilt, 

overcome depression, 

receive the blessing of peace of mind, 

and find enduring joy. 

Pray for help and guidance, 

and you will be led to find it. 

Go to where you know the light of truth shines—

to a worthy friend, 

a loving bishop or stake president, 

an understanding parent. 

Please come back. 

We love you. 

We need you. 

Follow the path to peace and joy 

through complete repentance. 

The Savior will help you obtain forgiveness 

as you sincerely follow all of the steps to repentance. 

He is the Redeemer. 

He loves you. 

He wants you to have peace and joy in your life. 

Now I testify that He lives. 

He will help you. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

amen.