Nihla Judd  - Winchester Hills 2nd Ward

Linda S. Reeves, in her conference address (October 2016) shared this doctrine: “Each accountable child of Heavenly Father needs repentance. Consider what sins we need to repent of. What is holding us back? In what ways do we need to improve?”

Surely, a Zion Stake needs repentance.

Sister Reeves’ grandchild’s words cemented my conviction as to why I need to repent: “Because They love me! In order to progress and become like Them, I need to repent. I also want the Spirit to be with me, so I need to repent daily to have His wonderful companionship. I will never be able to thank Them enough.”

Certainly, a Zion Stake has the spirit with them because of their repentance.

Taking Sister Reeve’s challenge to heart, I knelt daily to obtain specific impressions regarding that of which I needed to repent.

Repentance Project #1 came in a very interesting manner.  A family member and I were having a serious discussion about the challenging behavior of a young member of our family and how difficult it was to manage.  We cited examples, and then I expressed my feelings that I was learning a great deal via observation.  The family member with whom I was having the discussion pointed out that, on occasion, I exhibited the same type of behavior.   My patterned response would have been to become quiet – you know -  “the silent treatment”.  In a Spirit of retaliation, flaws in this particular family member flashed through my mind, and then whisperings pierced my heart: “This is the answer for which you prayed!  Don’t kill the messenger!”  I recalled President Kimball’s counsel: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus?lang=eng - note7)  I knew that my prayer regarding areas in my life needing repentance was being answered through this individual. Without a trace of sarcasm, I calmly responded:  “Thank you!”  The eyes of my conversing partner grew wide.  Leaning toward me, the face was quizzical.   Repeating, I said, “Thank you.”  With shrugging shoulders and a shaking head, this person walked away.

I had heard the answer for which I had been praying.  I admitted the truth and vowed to call upon the powers of the Atonement to eliminate my flaw.

Sister Reeve’s words sank deep into my heart:  “…the unselfish and Christlike thing to do is to confess and repent. This is Heavenly Father’s great plan of redemption.”

We gain further insight from Sister Reeve’s other grandchildren:

·         “How do you feel when you repent?”  “You can feel Him; you can feel His warmness, and the bad feeling goes away.”

When I took accountability for my behavior, “the bad feeling” went away.  I call that an Atonement miracle.

·         “How do you feel about Jesus & Heavenly Father when you repent?” “I feel that Jesus feels it was worth it to do the Atonement, and He’s happy that we can live with Him again.”

I cannot imagine anything “is worth it to do the Atonement” – including me. I am inexpressively grateful that He atoned so that I can experience the refreshing purifying experience of repentance.  I do want to live with Him.

Sister Reeves went on to share: “…feelings of relief, peace, gratitude, love for our Savior, and a knowledge that the Lord was lifting…heavy burden[s] and carrying [me]…caused joy beyond expression…”

·         “Why do Jesus and Heavenly Father want me to repent?”  

 “…the greatest miracles in life are not the parting of the Red Sea, the moving of mountains, or even the healing of the body. The greatest miracle happens when we humbly approach our Father in Heaven in prayer, fervently plead to be forgiven, and then are cleansed of those sins through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.”

Absolutely, by acting in doctrine, we can repent and be a St. George, Utah North Stake of Zion!

Doctrine and Covenants 90:34 Behold, I say unto you that your brethren in Zion begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them.