Leaders & Ministry

Elder Bednar teaches 3 fundamental truths about repentance and the ongoing remission of sins

At a Provo MTC devotional, he speaks of repentance requiring the Redeemer, a sincere heart and real intent, and a connection with ordinances, covenants and the Holy Ghost

By Scott Taylor Aug 16, 2023 5:20 p.m. EDT

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds up two fingers as he speaks at the pulpit at the Provo, Utah, Missionary Training Center on Aug. 15, 2023.

Leaders & Ministry

Elder Bednar teaches 3 fundamental truths about repentance and the ongoing remission of sins

At a Provo MTC devotional, he speaks of repentance requiring the Redeemer, a sincere heart and real intent, and a connection with ordinances, covenants and the Holy Ghost

By Scott Taylor Aug 16, 2023 5:20 p.m. EDT

PROVO, Utah — Repentance and the possibility of an ongoing remission of sins through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost are supernal blessings made possible only through the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught and testified of the joy sincere repentance brings to more than 1,800 new full-time missionaries in his Tuesday, Aug. 15, devotional message at the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Elder Bednar explained what constitutes repentance and highlighted three fundamental truths:

“Repentance requires the Redeemer;
“Repentance requires an honest heart and real intent;
“Repentance, sacred covenants and ordinances, and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost make it possible to always retain a remission of sins.”

He added: “Trusting in and turning to the Savior are the ultimate sources of spiritual confidence, assurance and enduring joy.”

Sister Susan Bednar gestures to her heart while speaking at the pulpit at of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Aug. 15, 2023.

Elder Bednar was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar, who testified about the importance of following the Prophet. She shared quotes from and personal experiences with the three most recent Presidents of the Church — President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Thomas S. Monson and President Russell M. Nelson.

What is repentance?

Repenting is the first and natural consequence of placing one’s trust and confidence in the Savior, turning away from evil and turning to God, Elder Bednar said.

“As we exercise faith in and on the Lord, we turn toward, come unto and depend upon Him. Thus, repentance is trusting in and relying upon the Redeemer to do for us what you and I cannot and can never do for ourselves.”

Missionaries sing during the devotional of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

Repentance and the Redeemer

Repentance produces changes in attitudes and behavior, but simply changing attitudes and behavior is not repentance, taught Elder Bednar, cautioning against a checklist mentality.

“If we do these things and fail to recognize and depend upon the Redeemer and His atoning sacrifice, then even our best individual efforts are in vain,” he said, adding, “The results of sincere repentance are peace, comfort, spiritual healing and renewing, and joy.”

An honest heart and real intent

Repentance requires honesty with one’s own self and with God, overcoming the excuse-making, blaming and rationalizing that can divert from truly turning to the Lord, Elder Bednar said.

“We must have real intent and be honest with Him whose forgiveness we seek. Genuine confession to God, and when necessary to priesthood leaders, must be full and complete.”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks from the pulpit of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

Covenants, ordinances and the power of the Holy Ghost

Elder Bednar underscored a “constant connectedness” among the principle of repentance, sacred covenants and ordinances, the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of always retaining a remission of sins.

He explained, “In the process of coming unto the Savior and pressing forward along the covenant path, receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost creates the possibility of an ongoing cleansing of one’s soul from sin.”

He expounded further: “The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually. The act of partaking of the sacramental emblems, in and of itself, does not remit sins. But as we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.”

Three sister missionaries take notes during the devotional message of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

What they’re saying

Following the devotional, missionaries shared what the Spirit taught them while listening to Elder Bednar’s teachings.

“Repentance is a unification with Jesus Christ; it is allowing the Spirit to sanctify us so that the Savior can work through us without the impediments of our weaknesses.” — Sister Amber McCombie of Afton, Wyoming, assigned to the Spain Madrid Mission.

“Repentance is the sincere change of heart and a clean conscience in order to progress.” — Sister Lucrecia Zanni, Córdoba, Argentina; Spain Madrid Mission.

“Christ is the only way back to Heavenly Father, and He is the only one who suffered for us.” — Elder Andrew Crookston, Logan, Utah; Brazil Campinas Mission.

“Repentance isn’t just turning away from evil but turning toward Christ and replacing the sins in your life with Christlike things instead.” — Elder Tyler Nelson, Syracuse, Utah; Brazil Campinas Mission.

Missionaries line the sidewalks outside the Provo Missionary Training Center to make a heart with their hands to Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar.

“Having a sincere heart and true intent means not intending to sin and that when we repent, we have genuine sorrow and guilt and really change ourselves and become a new creature.” — Elder Ethan Ashby, Beaver Dam, Utah; California Oakland Mission.

“Repenting isn’t just changing your actions. It’s also changing your attitude toward sin and wanting to be better and wanting to be more Christlike through His Atonement.” — Elder Hunter Sellers, Thatcher, Arizona; Canada Toronto Mission.

“The Spirit testified to me about continually changing and opening our minds and hearts and continually letting virtue garnish our thoughts and building our confidence in every area we strive for.” — Elder Carter Harding, West Point, Utah; Canada Toronto Mission.

“This is a gospel of never-ending change. We get this opportunity to be one with Heavenly Father and have His presence with us and be able to more fully understand Jesus Christ’s role in our lives.” — Sister Isabelle Washington, Rexburg, Idaho; Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission.

“After baptism, it is through the gift of the Holy Ghost that we can receive a continual remission of our sins and can feel the joy of the Savior’s Atonement in our lives.” — Sister Emma Hooper, South Jordan, Utah; New Hampshire Manchester Mission.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar make hearts with their hands and link them together at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

Missionaries make a heart with their hands to Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after his devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks from the pulpit of the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Sister Susan Bednar speaks from the pulpit of the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Elder David A. Bednar speaks at the pulpit of the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Cory Mendenhall sings and waves his baton as he directs the choir during a devotional at the Provo, Utah, Missionary Training Center.

Ellen Amantangelo and Chemain Evans play the organ together for the choir number during the devotional featuring Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.