How do you feel about knowing that the Lord rejoices when you repent?
"11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 11-16)
"18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." (Alma 36: 18-21)
And here's the commentary entitled: "The Lord rejoices when I repent.":
"Notice how often words like repent and repentance are used throughout Doctrine and Covenants 18. Ponder what you learn from these words each time they are used. Consider especially verses 11–16. How do these verses affect how you feel about repentance—your own repentance and the duty to invite other people to repent and improve? Here’s one way to record what you learn: list several ways you would complete the sentence “Repentance is .”
See also Alma 36:18–21; Guide to the Scriptures, “Repentance,” Gospel Library; Dale G. Renlund, “Repentance: A Joyful Choice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 121–24.
Detail from The Prodigal Son, by Clark Kelley Price"
Repentance is a requirement for every person to be able to come unto the Lord. The Lord suffered death and the pains of all men to give every person the opportunity to repent and enjoy the fruits of repentance. Without the Lord's suffering, our repentance will be fruitless.
Repentance is the condition by which all men are brought back to the presence of the Lord. The Lord has risen from the dead to bring all those who repented unto Him.
Repentance of each soul brings great joy to the Lord.
The opportunity to repent is given to every person and we can be the instrument so that people within our circle of influence can make the choice to repent.
If we do all we can as instruments in giving people the opportunity to repent while we are here on earth, and if one soul did repent, how great shall be our joy with him in Heavenly Father's kingdom.
If our joy is great in bringing one soul unto the Lord, how great shall our joy if we are able to bring many souls unto the Lord.
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