LESSON 4: REPENT

“The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”

– President Nelson





*image credit, above: detail from “All Are Alike Unto God” by J. Kirk Richards, jkirkrichards.com

Questions to start your pondering, journaling, and discussions

  1. Ponder areas in which you can repent in regards to racism. Kneel in prayer and ask “Lord, is it I?” (Matt 26:22) and “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?” (“Eyes to See”) then listen to the response and write the impressions that come to your mind.
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  2. President Oaks quoted from Theresa Dear’s essay on putting an end to racism:  “racism thrives on hatred, oppression, collusion, passivity, indifference and silence.” Think of each of these words and ponder if you need to repent of contributing to racism in any of these ways.
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  3. “As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes.” (Preach my Gospel) Ponder how this study on racism has helped you form a fresh view of yourself or the world. Be open to continually striving to align your view of yourself and the world with the will of God.

Invitations

  1. Act on any impressions received in Question 1 from the “Questions to start your pondering, journaling, and discussions” section.
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  2. Read the entire essay by Theresa Dear and set a personal goal of how to “do better”. Link to essay here: https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2020/6/6/21281846/racism-naacp-black-lives-matter-america-theresa-dear

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Scripture

Mosiah 3:19 — For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yieldsto the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the naturalman and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

3 Nephi 11:37-41 — And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.

MattHEW 26:22 — And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

D&C 5:24-28 — Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see… / And now, except he humble himself and acknowledge unto me the things that he has done which are wrong, and covenant with me that he will keep my commandments, and exercise faith in me, behold, I say unto him, he shall have no such views, for I will grant unto him no views of the things of which I have spoken. (Please click the link or look up the scripture to read the full text.)

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Quotes & Talks

As you work through this post, take some time to consider these writings shared by leaders in our community.

Russell M. Nelson Facebook Post Following George Floyd’s Death on June 1, 2020

We join with many throughout this nation and around the world who are deeply saddened at recent evidences of racism and a blatant disregard for human life. We abhor the reality that some would deny others respect and the most basic of freedoms because of the color of his or her skin…The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!

President Russell M. Nelson 
Read the entire post here: https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/posts/3015443371856412

On Repentance from “Preach My Gospel”

Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, and the world. When we repent, we feel godly sorrow, then we stop doing things that are wrong and continue doing things that are right. Bringing our lives in line with God’s will through repentance is a central purpose of our lives… As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes.

Read the entire lesson here: Preach My Gospel Lesson 3

“We Can Do Better and Be Better”

Make your focus on daily repentance so integral to your life that you can exercise the priesthood with greater power than ever before…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…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!

President Nelson
Read the entire talk here: “We Can Do Better and Be Better”, April 2019

“Eyes to See”

Understanding how God sees us prepares the way to help us see others as He does. Columnist David Brooks said: “Many of our society’s great problems flow from people not feeling seen and known. … [There is a] core … trait that we all have to get … better at[, and that] is the trait of seeing each other deeply and being deeply seen.” Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become. Where others saw fishermen, sinners, or publicans, Jesus saw disciples; where others saw a man possessed by devils, Jesus looked past the outward distress, acknowledged the man, and healed him. Even in our busy lives, we can follow the example of Jesus and see individuals—their needs, their faith, their struggle, and who they can become. As I pray for the Lord to open my eyes to see things I might not normally see, I often ask myself two questions and pay attention to the impressions that come: “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?”

Michelle Craig
Read the entire talk here: “Eyes to See”, October 2020

“Love Your Enemies”

…And there have been injustices. In public actions and in our personal attitudes, we have had racism and related grievances. In a persuasive personal essay, the Reverend Theresa A. Dear of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has reminded us that “racism thrives on hatred, oppression, collusion, passivity, indifference and silence.” As citizens and as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must do better to help root out racism.

Dallin H. Oaks
Read the entire talk here: “Love Your Enemies”, October 2020

Essay by the Reverend Theresa Dear

From Deseret News, originally published June 2020. Entire essay.

Rev. Theresa Dear
Read the entire essay here: “America’s tipping point: 7 ways to dismantle racism”

“Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity”

In this dispensation, although we live in a special time, the world has not been blessed with the righteousness and unity described in 4 Nephi. Indeed, we live in a moment of particularly strong divisions. However, the millions who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ have committed themselves to achieving both righteousness and unity. We are all aware that we can do better, and that is our challenge in this day. We can be a force to lift and bless society as a whole. At this 200-year hinge point in our Church history, let us commit ourselves as members of the Lord’s Church to live righteously and be united as never before. President Russell M. Nelson has asked us “to demonstrate greater civility, racial and ethnic harmony and mutual respect.”18 This means loving each other and God and accepting everyone as brothers and sisters and truly being a Zion people.

With our all-inclusive doctrine, we can be an oasis of unity and celebrate diversity. Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.

Quentin L. Cook
Read the entire talk here: “Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity”, October 2020

“The Need for Greater Kindness”

Racial strife still lifts its ugly head. I am advised that even right here among us there is some of this. I cannot understand how it can be. It seemed to me that we all rejoiced in the 1978 revelation given President Kimball. I was there in the temple at the time that that happened. There was no doubt in my mind or in the minds of my associates that what was revealed was the mind and the will of the Lord. Now I am told that racial slurs and denigrating remarks are sometimes heard among us. I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ…If any within the sound of my voice is inclined to indulge in this, then let him go before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and be no more involved in such.

Gordon B. Hinckley
Read the entire talk here: “The Need for Greater Kindness”, April 2006

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Official Church Statements

Official Declaration 2, 1978
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/od/2?lang=eng

Spencer W Kimball and the Revelation on the Priesthood
https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/spencer-w-kimball-and-revelation-priesthood

The Long-Promised Day: Additional context behind excerpts from Official Declaration 2
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/06/commemorating-the-1978-revelation/the-long-promised-day?lang=eng

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Listen

Learn from our brothers and sisters as they share their own experiences, in their own words. (Some written, some spoken, some both!)

“All In” Podcast with Zandra Vranes (Sistas in Zion)
Zandra Vranes and Laurel Christensen Day’s friendship requires a conscious, deliberate effort to create trust. In this episode, they talk with “All In” host Erin Hallstrom about why they have chosen to create a strong relationship and understanding with one another by refusing to shy away from difficult conversations. Vranes and Day discuss how racism is manifest in the Church today and what we can all do to help each other feel at home in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“It’s Because You’re Black”
By Kirstie Stanger-Weyland, Ensign 2018

Bonus! This month listen to the experience of Black pioneers:

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Further Resources

The following is a simplified study guide with suggestions for how this can be applied in a church context. For all of the Sunday lesson study guides click here.

Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 4: Repent

Objective:

“The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”
– President Nelson

Core materials: 

3 Nephi 11:37-41 — “And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. / And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. / Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. / And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. / Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.”

June 2020 Facebook Post from Russell M. Nelson — June 2020 (see text below if you do not have access to Facebook)
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“Eyes to See” — Michelle Craig, October 2020
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“Love Your Enemies” — Dallin H. Oaks, October 2020

Ideas for Discussion:

  1. “As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes.” (Preach my Gospel) Share how your studies in rooting out racism have helped you form a fresh view of yourself or the world.
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  2. President Oaks quoted from Theresa Dear’s essay on putting an end to racism:  “racism thrives on hatred, oppression, collusion, passivity, indifference and silence.” Think of each of these words and discuss how we can repent of contributing to racism in any of these ways. 
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  3. Ponder areas in which you can repent in regards to racism. What response have you received when praying “Lord, is it I?” (Matt 26:22) and “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?” (“Eyes to See”).
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  4. How can we “work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding”?

Reference Material: Russell M. Nelson Facebook post text

“We join with many throughout this nation and around the world who are deeply saddened at recent evidences of racism and a blatant disregard for human life. We abhor the reality that some would deny others respect and the most basic of freedoms because of the color of his or her skin.

We are also saddened when these assaults on human dignity lead to escalating violence and unrest.

The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!

During the Savior’s earthly mission, He constantly ministered to those who were excluded, marginalized, judged, overlooked, abused, and discounted. As His followers, can we do anything less? The answer is no! We believe in freedom, kindness, and fairness for all of God’s children!

Let us be clear. We are brothers and sisters, each of us the child of a loving Father in Heaven. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites all to come unto Him—“black and white, bond and free, male and female,” (2 Nephi 26:33). It behooves each of us to do whatever we can in our spheres of influence to preserve the dignity and respect every son and daughter of God deserves.

Any nation can only be as great as its people. That requires citizens to cultivate a moral compass that helps them distinguish between right and wrong.

Illegal acts such as looting, defacing, or destroying public or private property cannot be tolerated. Never has one wrong been corrected by a second wrong. Evil has never been resolved by more evil.

We need to foster our faith in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

We need to foster a fundamental respect for the human dignity of every human soul, regardless of their color, creed, or cause.

And we need to work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of segregation.
I plead with us to work together for peace, for mutual respect, and for an outpouring of love for all of God’s children.”