Repentance is Change

Today I sat in testimony meeting, and listened as person after person got up and bore witness of the atonement of Jesus Christ. They spoke of their love for the Savior, and their gratitude for the ability to repent. It reminded me of an experience I had while serving in Beloit, Wisconsin.

There was a member there who had "adopted" a mentally challenged woman. This member wanted us to teach her. I wasn't sure if this woman would be able to understand what we were teaching, but we agreed to try. We taught her about Jesus Christ, and following him, and having faith in him. Then we taught her the principle of repentance. I explained what repentance was for, and told her the steps that make up repentance. Then I asked her, "what is repentance?" She answered, "who knows." So I simplified my explanation, and asked her again, "what is repentance?" She again replied, "who knows." This went on a couple more times, with me simplifying my explanation each time, and each time being told, "who know." Finally, I told her that repentance is change, and I asked again, "what is repentance?" She still said, "who knows," and we finally ended the meeting.

This mentally challenged woman wasn't accountable - she just didn't understand. But as I simplified my explanations for her, I began to understand repentance better myself. Repentance is change - it's not just being cleansed from the sins we've committed. It's also becoming better each day as we try to serve the Lord and be more like Him.