This Month’s Theme: Embracing the Joy of Repentance

Dear friends,

I’m not a huge fan of making mistakes. You might call me a perfectionist.

Which is ironic, since my job as a writer requires me to turn in imperfect work every day.

Any article I work on will go through multiple rounds of edits until it’s shaped into the best version that it can be. And you know what? Rather than being frustrated when my mistakes are pointed out, I actually love watching them be fixed until the final article is better than I could have made it on my own.

To me, this reflects just a fraction of the joy that comes from repentance.

The ability to repent is one of the cornerstones of the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet for many people, the thought of repentance brings more fear or guilt than joy. When you need to repent, you might feel like your sins make you a bad person.

But here’s the thing: The need for an editor doesn’t mean I’m a bad writer. Neither does the need to repent mean I’m a bad person.

Repentance isn’t a backup plan or a sign of failure. Repentance is the plan! Heavenly Father knew that we would need the Savior’s help to make it back to Him. And Jesus Christ isn’t reluctant to help us—He wants us to access His power.

As you read this month’s stories from young adults who have discovered the joy of repentance, I hope that you will be inspired to feel that gratitude, confidence, and peace. Here are just a few of the articles you can find this month:

• A young adult from the Philippines who overcame his fear of talking to his bishop

• A sister from South Africa who discovers that she doesn’t need to be perfect to have worth

• What it means to repent daily

• My article about how repentance helps us turn toward Jesus Christ

We also have stories that are part of our ongoing series:

• From the Mission Field: How to trust the Lord when mission calls—and languages—weren’t what you expected

• Applying the Old Testament to Your Life: Come, Follow Me support about the why, where, and what of being a steward of God’s creations

• I Believe: How to look at the gospel with fresh eyes, even if you’ve been a member for a long time

• For Mothers of Young Children: What a new mother is doing to understand how mothering can be wonderful—even when it doesn’t feel like it

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this issue, it’s that you are so, so loved. By the YA Weekly staff, but most importantly, by your Heavenly Father and your Redeemer. Please hear Their message in this issue: that there is always a way to return to Them. And They will do everything possible to help you come home.

With love,

Madelyn Maxfield, For the Strength of Youth Editorial Intern