How to Cry Repentance — D&C 18
Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
(February 24-March 2)
Three Thoughts from Me
Do you believe people can change? My entire career has been based on believing the answer to this question is a resounding yes! We can overcome addictions, learn to communicate better, manage moods, become healthier and more resilient, and increase our faith, hope, and charity.
Here are four truths I know about the change process: 1) People are most likely to change when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain required to make a change, 2) Each person decides when they are ready to change. Yelling, shaming or any form of coercion never creates lasting change, 3) Change requires consistent practice. It is never one and done, 4) Change happens best in a supportive environment with caring helpers.
Repentance is a change that leads to God, following these same truths. If we’re to “cry repentance” to any soul, we are the helpers, not the judges. We are there to teach with words, example, and encouragement and then patiently wait until they’re ready to change. We cry for them when they’re in darkness and cry in joy when we see their courage and progress. But our greatest role is to continually, boldly testify that change is always possible, always doable, because He gave His life to change ours.
Two Quotes from Others
“Repentance is not a foreboding word. It is, after faith, the most encouraging word in the Christian vocabulary. Repentance is simply the scriptural invitation for growth and improvement and progress and renewal. You can change! You can be anything you want to be in righteousness.” -Jeffrey R. Holland
“The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, [the Savior] has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that…
… The Atonement … can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated.” -Boyd K. Packer
One Reflection for You
Who has cried repentance to you by helping you change and become a better person?