Jesus Christ will help you

Jesus Christ is your strength. He has done everything necessary for you to have joy in this life and forever. By choosing Him and His gospel, you are choosing eternal happiness and joy.

Even when you try to do your best to make good choices, sometimes you will make mistakes. You’ll do things you wish you hadn’t. Everyone does. When this happens, it’s easy to feel discouraged or wonder if you will ever be good enough. But there is good news—wonderful, hopeful news! Because God loves you, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself your sins so you can repent, be forgiven, and keep progressing.

Eternal Truths

Jesus Christ will strengthen you. He will help you change your desires, your thoughts, and your actions. When you are worried, afraid, or struggling in any way, He will comfort you. He will help you in all aspects of your life. You can trust Him.

Repentance isn’t punishment for sin; it is the way the Savior frees us from sin. To repent means to change—to turn away from sin and toward God. It means to improve and receive forgiveness. This kind of change is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process.

Invitations

Make Jesus Christ the focus of your life. Seek His help in all that you do.

Repent. Turn to the Lord with a desire to improve. When you’ve done something wrong, honestly admit it before God and, as needed, to your bishop and anyone you may have harmed. Do your best to make things right.

Rejoice in the gift to do better and be better. Even when it isn’t easy and takes longer than you’d like, never stop trying. Keep working and trusting in the Lord. He will help you every step of the way.

Jesus sitting at the well with a Samaritan woman

Promised Blessings

Heavenly Father will forgive and heal you as you repent. He will replace your guilt with peace and joy. He will remember your sins no more. Jesus Christ is your strength, and with His strength, your desire to keep His commandments will increase.

He will change your heart and your life. Little by little, you will grow and become more like Him.

Questions and Answers

How do I know if God has forgiven me? God promises He will forgive those who repent. When you feel comfort from the Spirit, you can know that the Savior’s redeeming power is working in your life.

When do I need the help of the bishop to repent? Your bishop holds priesthood keys and has spiritual gifts to help you repent. You can seek his help and counsel at any time. If you’ve made serious mistakes, such as breaking the law of chastity, meet with your bishop. He won’t condemn you. He is a representative of Jesus Christ and will help you know how to fully repent and receive the Savior’s healing and strengthening power.

I’m trying to repent, but I keep making the same mistakes. What should I do? Don’t give up. Turn toward Christ, and put your faith in Him. His grace is sufficient. Try again. You are never alone in your efforts to progress. Jesus Christ is always with you.

See Enos 1:6 (guilt can be swept away); Mosiah 4:3 (through the Holy Ghost, God lets you know you are forgiven); 26:30 (the Savior forgives as often as we repent); Ether 12:27 (the Savior’s grace can make weak things strong); Moroni 6:8 (those who repent are forgiven); 10:32 (be perfected in Christ); Doctrine and Covenants 1:32 (the Lord forgives those who repent); 58:42–43 (repentance includes confessing and forsaking sin).

Temple Recommend Questions

Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?