President Russell M. Nelson on the blessing of continuing repentance

President Russell M. Nelson (born Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

"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.

"Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.

"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!"

- Russell M. Nelson, "We Can Do Better and Be Better," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In his address to the Priesthood session of general conference, President Nelson spoke about the doctrine of repentance and encouraged all members to embrace the concepts. Instead of the perception of repentance as a burdensome, onerous, challenging event following our misdeeds, President Nelson taught that we should be seeking to establish a "regular, daily focus on repentance." The process of repentance then becomes "key to happiness and peace of mind" as we begin to have "access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

One who has the attitude of daily repentance is continually trying to grow and improve—a little better and a little more Christlike each day. That is the ultimate source of joy in this life!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)