“Repentance…Bringeth Unto the Power of the Redeemer”

Helaman wanted his sons to remember two fundamental principles about Jesus Christ which had been taught by earlier prophets:

1. King Benjamin: “There is no other way nor means” for us to be saved except “through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Helaman 5:9; see also Mosiah 3:17).
2. Amulek: Jesus will redeem His people “from their sins,” not “in their sins” (Helaman 5:10; see also Alma 11:34-37, Matthew 1:21).

Taken together, these principles clarify our relationship to the Savior. We can have absolute confidence in His ability to save us. That salvation consists in being transformed, being purified, being made holy. He won’t save us as we are; He will save us by helping us become better. And how do we tap into this divine power? How do we indicate our willingness to be transformed? Through repentance:

He hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.

Helaman 5:11

What a powerful insight! We repent, not because we think we can save ourselves, but because that effort unlocks His power in our lives. His transformative power becomes active for us only when we choose to accept it, and we do that by following His instructions, by fulfilling the “conditions of repentance” He has specified.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson has reminded us that an essential part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is an “individual pursuit of personal holiness.” He reminded us how church members become more holy in the time of Helaman:

They did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Helaman 3:35

Elder Christofferson said, “It is this mighty change of heart—yielding our hearts to God and being spiritually reborn through the grace of the Savior—that we seek” (“The Testimony of Jesus,” General Conference, April 2024).

Today I will repent in order to invite the power of Christ into my life. I will remember that only He can redeem me and that He does so by sanctifying me as I demonstrate a desire to become more holy.