Have faith that the Savior is perfect at distinguishing between our weaknesses and our premeditated, intentional sins

 Please remember that the Savior’s Atonement and free-will offering protects us not only from our sins but also from our weaknesses. Have faith that the Savior is perfect at distinguishing between our weaknesses and our premeditated, intentional sins. One of His servants, President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught, “Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.”

The Atonement of Jesus Christ, God’s Mercy, and You

October 2025

Liahona

Jörg Klebingat

A person cannot willfully sin on Saturday evening and expect that all he or she needs to do is eat a piece of bread and drink a cup of water on Sunday and magically be cleansed.

The sacrament was, however, not instituted as a specific means of securing a remission of our sins (see James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 175). A person cannot willfully sin on Saturday evening and expect that all he or she needs to do is eat a piece of bread and drink a cup of water on Sunday and magically be cleansed. But the sanctifying effect of the Holy Ghost can cleanse all who repent with a sincere heart and with real intent.

Jesus Christ Is the Treasure

October 2023

General Conference

Dale G. Renlund

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/57renlund?lang=eng&verse=#p

No One Has Sinned Tomorrow

Brothers and sisters, no one has sinned tomorrow. May we recalculate our route if need be and look forward with great hope and faith.

Gary B. Sabin, Stand Up Inside and Be All In, General Conference April 2017

The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, does not remit sins.

The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually. The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, does not remit sins. But as we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.

David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 61–62.

The Savior completely resisted Satan's Temptations to misuse His divine power--Through Fasting

If he lives the principle often enough, it will bring the wonderful effects in his own life, as promised by the Lord. He will have the spiritual blessing of power to receive inspiration and greater capacity to resist temptation.

We do not know all the reasons why Jesus Christ went into the wilderness to fast and to pray. But we know at least one of the effects: the Savior completely resisted Satan’s temptations to misuse His divine power.
General Conference APRIL 2015, "Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?” President Henry B. Eyring

Sin Empties, Isolates, and Separates Us

God’s counsel aligns us and conjoins us with the great realities of the universe; whereas sin empties, isolates, and separates us, confining us to the solitary cell of selfishness. Hence the lonely crowd in hell.
Neal A. Maxwell, April 1985 General Conference, "Willing to Submit"

Since He Is Our Father, He Naturally Desires to Raise Us Up

The image of a loving, forgiving God comes through clearly to those who read and understand the
scriptures. Since he is our Father, he naturally desires to raise us up, not to push us down, to help us
live, not to bring about our spiritual death. "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth," he has said, "wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." ( Ezek. 18:32 .)

The Miracle of Forgiveness, Chapter 23 God Will Forgive, Spencer W. Kimball

Only then Can He Begin to Understand How Futile His Unaided Efforts

WHEN A TRUE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GUILT FINALLY settles down upon the one who has
sinned and he feels the heaviness of it its throttling force and crushing power only then can the sinner
begin to realize how powerless he is on his own to rid himself of his transgressions. Only then can he
begin to understand how futile are his unaided efforts to wash away the stains so indelibly stamped on his life and character. In his anguish he must come to lean heavily upon the Lord and trust in him,
acknowledging that "with God all things are possible."

Jesus Christ the Only Way

The Miracle of Forgiveness, Chapter 23 God Will Forgive, Spencer W. Kimball

The Best Defense Against Addiction Is Never To Start.

The best defense against addiction is never to start.

ARE YOU SLEEPING THROUGH THE RESTORATION? By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2014

These Are Your Days to Stand Strong as Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ

The worst whirlwinds are the temptations of the adversary. Sin has always been part of the world, but it has never been so accessible, insatiable, and acceptable. There is, of course, a powerful force that will subdue the whirlwinds of sin. It is called repentance....My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you. Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.24
SPIRITUAL WHIRLWINDS By Elder Neil L. AndersenOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - April 2014 GENERAL CONFERENCE  

The Twin Principles of Repentance and Forgiveness Exceed In Strength the Awesome Power of the Tempter

Every soul confined in a prison of sin, guilt, or perversion has a key to the gate. The key is labeled “repentance.” If you know how to use this key, the adversary cannot hold you. The twin principles of repentance and forgiveness exceed in strength the awesome power of the tempter. If you are bound by a habit or an addiction that is unworthy, you must stop conduct that is harmful. Angels will coach you,19 and priesthood leaders will guide you through those difficult times

Boyd K. Packer, “Cleansing the Inner Temple,” Ensign, Nov 2010, 74–77 

Sin is...Blinding to Reality

Sin is addictive; self-degenerating; conducive to other strains of corruption; deadening to spirituality, conscience, and reason; blinding to reality; contagious; destructive to mind, body, and spirit. Sin is spiritually corrosive. Unrestrained it becomes all-consuming. It is overcome by repentance and righteousness.

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Ensign, Nov. 2009, 6–9

Baptized Too Soon? And Retaining A Remission of My Sins

I remember when I was “[baptized] by immersion for the remission of sins.”15 That was appealing. I assumed that all my past mistakes were now washed away, and if I never made any more mistakes in my life, I would be clean. This I resolved to do. Somehow it did not turn out that way. I found that I made mistakes, not intentionally, but I made them. I once foolishly thought maybe I was baptized too soon. I did not understand that the ordinance of the sacrament, administered by you of the Aaronic Priesthood, is in fact a renewing of the covenant of baptism and the reinstating of the blessings connected with it. I did not see, as the revelations tell us, that I could “retain a remission of [my] sins.”16


Author: Boyd K. Packer
Title: Counsel to Young Men
Where: Ensign, May 2009, 49–52