Faith Unto Repentance

I was pondering repentance as I read D&C 58:42-43 and Alma 34:8-17. I asked the question on our teacher’s quorum blog, “why is the phrase ‘faith unto repentance’ used together?”

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to have. It brings hope that we can be forgiven, that we will live again, and that He can and will and has taken our burdens upon Himself. But, if we don’t repent, that hope is all for nothing. Yes, we will be resurrected but not unto the glory of the celestial. We will be restored to a lowly natural person who still loves the things of carnality and will be miserable forever. Repentance is the key that unlocks the power of the atonement. Once we’ve forsaken our sins, then we are brought unto the power of the redemption of Jesus Christ (Helaman 5:10-11).

Repentance also has no real lasting significance w/o the power of faith in Jesus Christ. If we repent and become a better person, we will be a little happier in this life, but, if our faith is not in Jesus Christ, then there is no cleansing of sin. Only Jesus has suffered the demands of justice that He might extend mercy. He has suffered that we might not have to. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:7-8) and no unclean thing can dwell in God’s presence (1 Nephi 10:21; 15:34; Alma 7:21; 11:37, 40:26; 3 Nephi 27:19; Moses 6:57). Only Jesus Christ can pay the penalty and enable the Spirit to come into our lives and purge us of our sins.

Thus, “faith unto repentance,” requires both parts to enjoy the full blessings of each.