Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. - 3 Ne. 9:14
"This scripture indicates that in life there is no waiting period before we can come unto God," said Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve at the April 1988 general conference. "In our weakness we know where we can turn for strength. What good advice and wise direction for our lives can be gleaned through study of the scriptures! Self-esteem can be renewed and strength to do His will can be revived. People must always count more than programs."As one comes unto Christ,' he learns of the reality of forgiveness:Behold, 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 - behold, he will confess them and forsake them.' (D&C 58:42-43.)
"When a man is convinced of the truth of that scripture, `I, the Lord, remember them no more,' he is ready to start coming back to full fellowship. Some suggestions can be made using two effective words: shun and participate. Shun means to avoid deliberately and especially consistently, to abhor. To participate, one takes part or has a share in common with others.
"We would recommend that one should . . . shun feelings of resentment, bitterness, and contention toward individuals rendering decisions. When discipline is administered, there is a tendency on the part of some to become resentful toward the individuals and institutions who have had to make the judgment. We should permit ourselves to take a self-inventory sampling before we `cast the first stone.' Resentment and anger are not good for the soul. They are foul things.
"Bitterness must be replaced with humility. Truly, bitterness injures the one who carries it. It blinds, shrivels, and cankers.
"Some of us are inclined to look to the weaknesses and shortcomings of others in order to expand our own comfort zone. A worthy personal support system in cases like this must include, to be effective, family, friends, and acquaintances who are willing to help us cope with what we see and experience.
"Moroni gave us all some words of advice. `Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.' (Mormon 9:31).
"A repentant individual will choose his own course and proceed with confidence. He has no need to protect a wounded self. He will not allow himself the danger of self-inflicted sympathy. It is generally good medicine to sympathize with others, but not with yourself."
