(8/26/03)
"I appeal to all Latter-day Saints to come to these places of worship and there
in deep humility and with contrite hearts make of the Lord a confidential
friend, tell Him of our weaknesses, confess our shortcomings and seek devoutly
for forgiveness, remembering that one great glorious and comforting principle of
the Gospel is repentance and forgiveness." — Richard R. Lyman, "General
Conference Reports," April 1941, p. 67
(8/27/03)
"George R. Wendling has said that the most wonderful work in the world is not to
take iron and steel and brass and with these make a locomotive; that the most
wonderful work in the world is not to take gold and diamonds and cog-wheels and
with these make a watch; nor is the most wonderful work in the world to take
canvas and colors and brush and with these paint an Angelus; nor even yet is the
most wonderful work in the world to take pen and parchment and write an Iliad or
a Hamlet. No, indeed, says he, infinitely more wonderful and infinitely greater
than any one or all of these combined is that something is accomplished by
living in accordance with the teachings of the of the Master. The prayerful,
devoted, honest, sincere, unselfish Christian life has such remarkable power
that it can take an ignoble, cruel, impure and dishonest human being and
transform that cruel, ignoble, impure and dishonest person into an upright,
gentle, pure, honest and dependable human soul. 'Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be
as wool.' (Isaiah 1:18) Such transformations show the glory, the grandeur, the
power and the mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is this rebirth, it is
this rebuilding, it is this reconstruction of lost and broken souls into upright
and glorious men and women that is infinitely greater than anything else which
this age of mechanical miracles can do. In the presence of accomplishments thus
marvelous, we bow humbly before the mastery of our Lord. His Gospel is most
wonderful. We who have felt its touch and inspiration can say boldly in the
language of the Bible, 'For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.' (Romans 1:16)" —
Richard R. Lyman, "General Conference Reports," April 1936, p. 100
(8/28/03)
"When we err, others may be unforgiving and ungenerous. But though our sins be
as scarlet, God assures the repentant that these shall be as white as snow (see
Isaiah 1:18). Moreover, God will not even mention certain portions of our past
(Ezekiel 18:22). In that case, nor should we! It should be hand to the plow
without looking back. Finally, He mercifully assures us that if we repent He
actually will remember our sins no more! (D&C 58:42)" — Neal A. Maxwell, "Men
and Women of Christ," [Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 131
(8/29/03)
"The scriptures point out that 'though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow' (Isaiah 1:18). A marvelous cleansing spirit turns the lights on
again, which puts the color back into life. When it has entered a person’s life
he can be in the presence of himself, his fellows, and the Lord, and be at
peace." — Boyd K. Packer, "The Things of the Soul," [Salt Lake City, Utah:
Bookcraft, 1996]
(8/30/03)
"To those burdened and sorrowing with guilt, we offer hope. Your Redeemer loves
you with a perfect love. He died to pay for the sins of all who truly repent and
follow the course He prescribed.... Accept the healing of spirit that He alone
can give. ('First Presidency Christmas Message,' Church News [15 December 1985],
p. 3)" — Ezra Taft Benson, "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," [Salt Lake City,
Utah: Bookcraft, 1988], p. 74
12/3/16
Men cannot forgive their own sins; they cannot cleanse themselves from the consequences of their sins. Men can stop sinning and can do right in the future, and so far their acts are acceptable before the Lord and worthy of consideration. But who shall repair the wrongs they have done to themselves and to others, which it seems impossible for them to repair themselves? By the atonement of Jesus Christ the sins of the repentant shall be washed away; though they be crimson they shall be made white as wool [see Isaiah 1:18]. This is the promise given to you. – “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith,” Chapter 11