Scrap Book of Mormon Literature (Vol. 1 of 2): Religious Tracts
Religion
Scrap Book of Mormon Literature (Vol. 1 of 2): Religious Tracts
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saints
"The second follows, just as naturally as the second step follows the
first when a child learns to walk. When faith in God is once created,
the knowledge that we have at some {273} time, perhaps many times
during our lives done things displeasing to Him, naturally follows
immediately, therefore repentance makes its appearance as the second
principle of the gospel. When John came preaching in the wilderness,
as the forerunner of Christ, his message to the people was, 'Repent
ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' (Matt. iii: 2.) When Jesus
came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, it was
with a message calling them to repentance. (Mark i: 15.) When He chose
His disciples and began sending them forth it was to call mankind to
repentance. (Mark vi: 7-12.) When He upbraided the cities wherein the
most of His mighty works were done, it was because they repented not.
(Matt. xi: 20.) True repentance is that which will cause him who stole
to steal no more; that which will keep corrupt communications from
our mouths; that which will cause us to so conduct our walks through
life as not to grieve the Spirit of God; that which will cause all
bitterness, wrath, anger and evil speaking to be put away from us, and
will make us kind one to another, tender-hearted and forgiving, even as
God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. (Ephesians iv: 28-32.) When he
who has committed a sin shall commit it no more, then he has repented
with that Godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation, and not
with the sorrow of the world, bringing with it death. (II. Cor. vii:
10.) When a sinner thus repents more joy is found in heaven than over
ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke xv: 7.)
This, then, is the second round in the gospel ladder according to the
plan given us by the master, and without it, faith is of no substantial
benefit."
"Your reasoning is both logical and just," said Brown, "and no one can
find any fault with those doctrines. This world of ours would certainly
be more pleasant if these things were followed, and when a person is
filled with that kind of faith, and has truly repented, it must be
clear that he is entitled to salvation."
"But he must not stop at that," the speaker went on; "there are other
principles just as necessary for him to obey. If I am in possession of
enough faith to convince me that I have sinned against you, and the
knowledge of this causes me sincerely to repent, I must not and cannot
rest until I am satisfied I have your forgiveness for the wrong. So it
is with sinning against God and His laws; He has marked out the path of
repentance and it is our duty to follow that divine way until we arrive
at the sacred altar of forgiveness. Sin must be forgiven before it can
be wiped out, and God in His wisdom {274} selected and placed in His
church water baptism for this purpose. It is a means whereby a man can
receive remission of sin."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account