Involves cleansing- Requires meekness

As if it were a word on a bumper-sticker, repentance is "too little understood and too little applied by us all," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve said in his Saturday afternoon address."Since we have been clearly told by Jesus what manner of men and women we ought to become - `even as [He isT'- how can we do so, except each of us employs repentance as the regular means of personal progression?" he asked. Personal repentance is part of `taking up the cross daily.' (Luke 9:23.) Without it, there could be no `perfecting of the Saints.'

"Therefore, while abstinence from sin is better than the cure, repentance is a rescuing, not a dour doctrine. It is available to the gross sinner as well as to the already good individual striving for incremental improvement."

Elder Maxwell said: "When a mighty change is required, full repentance requires a 180-degree turn, and without looking back! Initially, this turning reflects progress from telestial to terrestrial behavior, and later on to celestial behavior. As the sins of the telestial world are left behind, the focus falls ever more steadily upon sins of omission, which often keep us from full consecration."

Not a "mechanical checklist, but a checkreigning of the natural self," the process of repentance involves portions that overlap and reinforce each other, he observed.

"There can be no repentance without recognition of wrong. Whether by provocation, introspection, or wrenching remembrance, denial must be dissolved."

Real remorse floods the soul after recognition, he explained, contrasting it with what the scriptures term "the sorrow of the world" or "the sorrow of the damned" when one can no longer take happiness in sin.

True repentance includes confession, he said. "As confession lets the sickening sin empty out, then the Spirit which withdrew returns to renew."

He added that confessing helps one to forsake the sin. "We cannot expect to sin extensively and then expect to be rescued privately and quickly, being beaten `with a few stripes.' (See D&C 42:88-93.)"

Genuine support and love from others are needed to sustain the forsaking and turning, he affirmed.

Restitution is also required in repentance, the apostle noted. "Sometimes, however, restitution is not possible in real terms, such as when one contributed to another's loss of faith or virtue. Instead, a subsequent example of righteousness provides a compensatory form of restitution."

In the rigorous process of repentance, much depends on meekness, Elder Maxwell asserted. "Pride prefers cheap repentance, paid for with shallow sorrow."

And in the anguishing process, some may feel God has deserted them, he observed, yet in reality their behavior has isolated them from Him. He said one must not give up, because His arm is outstretched "all the day long. (Jacob 4:47; 6:4; 2 Ne. 28:32; Morm. 5:11.)"

He added, "Unlike us, God has no restrictive office hours."