The Gift of Repentance

     Depending on who you talk to, repentance can have a major negative connotation. A post I had seen recently on twitter said something along the lines of "I would rather marry someone who has sinned and truly repented rather than marry someone who had never sinned at all." The post faced immediate uproar that it is much worse to sin and repent than to not sin at all. In my personal opinion, it's the same. To start off, I cannot think of anyone on this earth who has not sinned, except for Christ. When we truly repent, Heavenly Father promised us that he would see the sin no more, that it is like we had never sinned at all. I think both not sinning at all, and sinning and truly repenting are both extremely admirable.
     So, in an effort to try and erase the negative connotation to repentance, this past week I read the talk "Repent... That I May Heal You" given by Neil L. Andersen. In this wonderful talk, Andersen relates that "The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to 're-turn' toward God." He also reminds us of the Lord's invitation; "Behold, [my arms] of mercy [are] extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." If repenting were such a horrible act, why would we be invited and urged to do it?
     Now, I assume the negative connotation that is linked to repentance has to do with the connection repentance has to sinning. But let's face it, no one is perfect. Heavenly Father knows and understands that. Our journey in this world is not about being perfect, but striving to be. We all sin. We all make mistakes. And repentance is our gift that we have been blessed with, that those mistakes and sins won't deny us the opportunity to return to Heavenly Father. Andersen described repentance as "turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning towards other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality." He later goes on to say that "Repentance always means that there is greater happiness ahead."
      Repentance can be seen as one of the most merciful gifts that we have been blessed with. Just because we have sinned, does not mean we will be condemned forever. Repentance should not be frowned upon. When someone is truly repenting of their sins, they truly want to change and strive to become better. Why should we look down on that? The desire to become better is spectacular, and it can do wondrous things to an individual.