In Gethsemane, the Savior took upon Himself our sins, pains, and sorrows so that we could change. Every day is a new chance to turn to Him, and to become a little more like Him.
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”Luke 22:42
Carl Bloch, Christ in Gethsemane (1873–1880), public domain
Today’s scripture ·
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
Read it slowly. Then ask: What is one thing the Lord would have me change today?
A new verse each day from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Every verse links to its full chapter.
Why daily?
Repentance isn’t punishment. It’s how we change.
“Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus Christ suffered for every one of us. His Atonement is what makes repentance possible and real.
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
The Savior didn’t only suffer for sins. He also took upon Himself our pains and weaknesses, so He knows exactly how to lift us.
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Alma the Younger was “harrowed up” by the memory of his sins until he remembered Jesus Christ and cried out to Him.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
The Lord’s promise is complete. When we confess and forsake our sins, He forgives them, and He chooses to remember them no more.
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
King Benjamin’s people pleaded for the atoning blood of Christ to be applied to them, and they were filled with joy and peace of conscience.
And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.
And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
We aren’t asked to be perfect today. We are invited to come unto Christ, and through His grace we become more like Him.
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
President Nelson invited us to “experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day” (April 2019). Here is one simple way to make that a daily habit. Check off each step as you go. Your progress is saved only on this device and starts fresh each morning.
Before the day begins, kneel and thank Heavenly Father. Ask for help with one specific weakness, and for the Spirit to show you what to change.
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Read today’s scripture above, or your Come, Follow Me reading. Look for what it teaches you about the Savior, and for one thing you can do today.
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Bring the week’s repentance to the sacrament table. As you take the bread and water, renew your covenants and recommit to always remember Him. For serious sins, your bishop or branch president can help you find the joy and relief of repenting.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Heinrich Hofmann, Christ in Gethsemane (1886), public domain
In the garden
He prayed more earnestly
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
When we feel the weight of our mistakes, we can remember Him in the garden. He did not shrink. He “partook and finished.” He knows the way through, and He offers to carry what we can’t carry alone.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Frans Schwartz, Christ in Gethsemane (1901), public domain
Becoming like Him
Every choice to repent is a choice to become
“When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!”
“Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.”
