“He Who Has Repented of His Sins, the Same Is Forgiven, and I, the Lord, Remember Them No More”
Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
Elder Richard G. Scott said:
“Now if you are one who cannot forgive yourself for serious past transgressions—even when a judge in Israel has assured that you have properly repented—if you feel compelled to continually condemn yourself and suffer by frequently recalling the details of past errors, I plead with all of my soul that you ponder this statement of the Savior:
“‘He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
“‘By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins— . . . he will confess them and forsake them’ [D&C 58:42–43].
“To continue to suffer when there has been proper repentance is not prompted by the Savior but the master of deceit, whose goal is to bind and enslave you. Satan will press you to continue to relive the details of past mistakes, knowing that such thoughts make forgiveness seem unattainable. In this way Satan attempts to tie strings to the mind and body so that he can manipulate you like a puppet.
“I testify that when a bishop or stake president has confirmed that your repentance is sufficient, know that your obedience has allowed the Atonement of Jesus Christ to satisfy the demands of justice for the laws you have broken. Therefore you are now free. Please believe it. To continually suffer the distressing effects of sin after adequate repentance, while not intended, is to deny the efficacy of the Savior’s Atonement in your behalf.”
(“Peace of Conscience and Peace of Mind,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 17–18.)
