=25. Repentance Essential to Salvation.=--This evidence of sincerity, this beginning of a better life, is required of every candidate for salvation. In the obtaining of Divine mercy, repentance is as indispensable as faith, it must be as extensive as sin. Where can we find an absolutely sinless mortal? Sagely did the Preacher of old declare "There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not."[331] Who, therefore, has no need of forgiveness? who is exempt from the requirements of repentance? God has promised forgiveness unto those who truly repent before Him, it is unto such that the advantages of individual salvation, through the atonement of Christ, are extended. Isaiah thus admonishes to repentance, with assuring promises of forgiveness: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."[332] [331] Eccl. vii, 20; see also Rom. iii, 10; I John i, 8. [332] Isa. iv, 6-7; see also II Nephi ix, 24; Alma v, 31-36, 49-56; ix, 12; Doc. and Cov. i, 32-33; xix, 4; xx, 29; xxix, 44; cxxxiii, 16. =26.= The burden of inspired teachers in every age has been the call to repentance. To this effect was heard the voice of John crying in the wilderness, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."[333] And the Savior followed with "Repent ye and believe the gospel,"[334] for "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."[335] So too proclaimed the apostles of old, that God "commandeth all men everywhere to repent."[336] And in the present dispensation has come the word, "We know that all men must repent, and believe on the name of Jesus Christ ... or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God."[337] [333] Matt. iii, 2. [334] Mark i, 15. [335] Luke xiii, 3. [336] Acts xvii, 30. [337] Doc. and Cov. xx, 29. =27. Repentance, a Gift from God.=--Repentance is a means of pardon, and is therefore one of God's great gifts to man. It is not to be had for the careless asking; it may not be found upon the highway, it is not of earth, but a treasure of heaven, and is given with care, yet with boundless liberality unto those who have brought forth works that warrant its bestowal.[338] That is to say, all who prepare themselves for repentance will, by the humbling and softening influence of the Holy Spirit, be led to the actual possession of this great gift. When Peter was charged by his fellow-worshipers with a breach of law in that he had associated with Gentiles, he told his hearers of the Divine manifestations he had so recently received; they believed and declared "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."[339] Paul also, in writing to the Romans, teaches that repentance comes through the goodness of God.[340] [338] Matt. iii, 7-8; Acts xxvi, 20. [339] Acts xi, 18.