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BACKGROUND
Before we get started, I’d like to give you just a little bit of background to the book of 2 Corinthians because it can be a little confusing if you don’t understand the context. We could have a long scholarly discussion about the origins of 2nd Corinthians and the many different theories surrounding it, but I’ll try to keep it simple. Some scholars believe that 2 Corinthians is actually 2 different letters made up of chapters 1-9, and 10-13 because the tone in those two sets of chapters is so different. Also, it’s obvious that we don’t have all the letters that Paul wrote to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians should really be 2nd Corinthians because Paul refers to a letter that he had written before that. And it sounds like there was another very painful letter that Paul must have written between the two books, which would make 2 Corinthians actually 4th Corinthians and 5th Corinthians. It’s even possible that 2 Corinthians 10-13 is the letter being referred to because it is a bit sharper in tone than the more reconciling first chapters. Now you may or may not want to go into all of that with your classes, but I do think it helps to know the following:
Between 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Paul made a visit to Corinth that was apparently difficult and painful for both Paul and the members.
Hurt feelings, rebukes, and corrections marked this visit and some members began to accuse Paul of not being a “real” apostle.
After Paul had left, many members felt sorrowful for what they had done and showed a desire to repent.
2 Corinthians is Paul’s response to this situation. 1-9 being more reconciling in tone and 10-13 more abrupt.
HELPERS OF YOUR JOY
ICEBREAKER
For an icebreaker, a very simple question. Have any of you ever met a prophet or apostle? What was it like and what happened? I’ve found that there are usually at least a few people in every class who have had an experience with one of the brethren. With the amount of travel the brethren do, there’s a good chance that somebody is going to have some kind of story to tell. And often these stories are either very poignant, interesting, or even humorous. And actually, you know what, do you want to know a good place to run into an apostle, the Salt Lake International Airport. Once I saw Elder Holland there waiting at the gate for his flight, and another time Elder Bednar going through security, and once I passed President Oaks while I was coming out of the airport bathroom, but it felt awkward to say hello under those circumstances. Anyway, this activity can be a really fun way to turn the thoughts and hearts of your students to the prophet and apostles which is a major theme of 2 Corinthians. And just in case, if nobody in you class has ever met a prophet or an apostle, you can just change the question to: Which of the brethren would you most like to meet and why?
TRANSITION
A major theme of Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians revolves around the role of an apostle or a leader of the church. Just like in the early church, God continues to call men (imperfect as they may be) to lead and guide his church. As you study this epistle, it can be insightful to search for what you learn about the character and mission of a prophet or apostle.
SEARCH
Now one of the best things about 2 Corinthians are all the alternate titles for apostles that Paul gives us. Maybe we should stop calling them apostles and start using some of these synonyms. We might begin to view these brethren differently. To help them identify these synonyms you could use the following secret phrase activity that they can work on by themselves or together with a partner. Now this activity may be more geared towards young people, so alternative method would be to just simply write the references on the board and have the class search for the titles.
The objective of the handout though is to discover the secret phrase at the bottom. Your students will go to the following verses looking for the title or synonym for an apostle. They fill in the boxes with their answer and they’ll know if they most likely got it right if it fits. After they have all the answers they will copy the letters in the numbered boxes to the other boxes with the same number.
So allow me to go through the answers with you.
1:24 Helpers of your joy.
3:6 Able ministers of the new testament.
5:20 Ambassadors for Christ
6:1 Workers together with him.
6:18 A Father unto you.
And what is the secret phrase? Another synonym for apostles, one we hear often, Special Witnesses of Christ
After that activity, you’re perfectly set up to have a discussion about those titles, because they’ll be already staring at a list of them.
You can ask: Which of these titles is your favorite and why? And have them share.
Here are a few of my thoughts.
My favorite is probably that first one. Helpers of your joy. Perhaps we would view general conference a little differently if we started calling them that. We’d say: Oh I can’t wait to hear the “helpers of our joy” speak this weekend! OR quick, come listen, another “helper of our joy” is about to talk. The brethren help us to find joy. Their counsel and commandments will most assuredly bring us joy, if we follow them. Personally, I can think of many instances where a talk from one of the brethren has brought me joy, or has helped me in some significant way. Every conference I walk away inspired, guided, and uplifted.
I love that they are ABLE ministers of the New Testament. These men are very capable, very intelligent, and very qualified to lead a worldwide church. It’s fun to look at their backgrounds not only to see their spiritual capacity but also their secular successes. I mean, President Nelson was a world-famous heart surgeon, as well as Elder Renlund, President Oaks was a Utah Supreme Court justice, President Eyring went to Harvard, Elder Holland went to Yale, Elder Uchtdorf was the Chief Pilot for Lufthansa airlines, Elders Cristofferson and Cook were successful attorneys, and many of the others were prominent leaders in business and finance. And that’s just their secular success. Spiritually their collective leadership in church callings is staggering. They are certainly ABLE ministers.
They are ambassadors for Christ. The definition of an ambassador is "An authorized representative of the highest rank appointed”. They speak for Christ. This reminds me of the 5th article of faith that says "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. They are authorized representatives. Not just good men with a desire to help, but authorized men, specifically chosen by Christ to represent him to the world.
Workers together with him. This reminds me of the allegory of the Olive Tree in Jacob chapter 5. Here you have the servants of Christ working together with the master of the vineyard (Christ). They work diligently to help us to bring forth good fruit. I think about what most men their age are doing with their time. Golfing, fishing, spending time with their grandkids, watching tv. But these men are leading a church, preparing talks, making decisions, traveling the globe. They work incredibly hard when they could be relaxing in the golden years of their retirement. I mean look at President Nelson, he’s 98 years old, what are most 98-year old’s doing? If they’re even alive, they’re what, playing Bingo at the retirement home. Certainly not working like he is. I have a friend whose father worked at the MTC in Mexico City. President Nelson came to visit and while they were entering the building he asked if president Nelson would like to use the ramp instead of the stairs, he said President Nelson turned to him with mock indignation and said, “I don’t use ramps” and then went bounding up the stairs skipping every other step! Only someone who had spent a lifetime working hard would have the strength to do that at his age.
I also love that last title, A father unto you. Hopefully that’s the way we see them. With that same kind of closeness and familiarity. Wouldn’t it be great if all the members of the church viewed President Nelson as a Father. It reminds me of the Stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon who referred to Helaman as Father, and he referred to them as his “little sons” Alma 56:39. Wouldn’t it be great if all the youth of the church decided to choose President Nelson as their leader and father. According to the Proclamation on the family, a Father's major roles are to preside, provide, and protect. President Nelson and the Apostles certainly preside at the head of the church, but they also provide us with spiritual nourishment in the form of truth, allowing us to feast upon the words of Christ, and their counsels protect us from the deceptions of the adversary.
That discussion can then naturally lead us into the next activity.
Now that we’ve examined what the prophets and apostles are, let’s look a little more closely at what they do. Here are ten of my favorite thoughts on apostles and prophets from 2 Corinthians 1-7.
Then give them the following instructions.
1. Look up and study your assigned reference.
2. What does it teach you about apostles and prophets?
3. Be prepared to share what you learned.
Here they are:
1:4
1:17-18
2:4
2:7-8
2:17, 4:2
4:8-9
4:15-16
5:11
6:4-11
7:1
And for your benefit as the teacher, let’s examine each of these together.
1:4
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
They provide comfort to us. Have you ever been comforted by the words of the brethren? I know I have. This makes me think of President Eyring who you sense just has a very tender soul. There are times when you can tell that he is really putting forth effort to keep his emotions in check. He speaks with such a healing essence, that I always walk away from his talks feeling comforted. And the comfort that we receive from the brethren we then are able to pass on to others through their words. Our spouses, our children, our students, our friends.
2. 1:17-18
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
The apostles don’t speak lightly, they’re not wishy washy, that’s what yea, yea, and nay, nay means. They are straightforward and direct. This makes me think of President Oaks who always seems to tackle the most serious, controversial subjects and then lays out the church’s position on them logically, beautifully, but most importantly. Directly and without lightness. Making it impossible for us to misunderstand God’s will on the subject. He’s certainly not yea, yea, nay, nay.
3. 2:4
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
What do we learn about apostles here? They love us. And this is in reference to what I talked about earlier that Paul must have written a bit of a rebuking letter to the Corinthians before this. So when they have to speak harshly or correct us, it’s hard for them, they anguish over it because they care about us so much. Nowadays we don’t get many talks that are harsh in nature from the brethren, but there are certainly talks that are more corrective in tone. Talks that encourage us to be better and make changes. I think of President Nelson’s slightly foreboding warning that “time is running out”. I remember when Elder Holland directly challenged those that deny the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and I recall many talks from President Hinckley that were quite direct. Calls to repentance to those who were guilty of abuse, stern warnings about pornography, and financial warnings even. Now when they give these kinds of messages, I always sense the love behind them, can you? They aren’t angry. They aren’t even disappointed. They just want what’s best for us. They know they need to be straightforward, but they don’t want to be discouraging. They correct with love.
4. 2:7-8
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
From these verses we learn that apparently there was a brother in the church at Corinth that had caused some contention that Paul had to reprimand. But here he pleads with the rest of the church to forgive that brother and to confirm him with love and forgiveness rather than sorrow and punishment. What I think this shows me is that apostles care about individuals. They care about the one. And I’ve actually experienced this firsthand with President Nelson. This was before he was the prophet, but when my Mom was dying of cancer, a mutual friend of my Fathers’ and President Nelson’s told him of my family’s situation and President Nelson decided to make a special visit to our home to give her a priesthood blessing. He sat with us, and talked with us, comforted us and then, an experience I will never forget, I was able to stand in the circle with then Elder Nelson as he gave my mom a priesthood blessing. Now he didn’t command her to be healed or promise recovery, but he gave the most beautiful, comforting, and life affirming blessing to my mother, filled with hope and love. Now he didn’t have to come out and do that. He really didn’t know my family personally at all, but he cared about us as members of the church, and in his busy schedule, felt compelled to give us of his time and spirit. The brethren care about the one, not just the collective and inasmuch as they can, they seek to bless the lives of individuals.
5. 2:17, 4:2
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
They speak with sincerity. All of the brethren match this description. And this is a real faith builder for me. If the church isn’t true, if this is all a lie, certainly these men would know it. How could they be in that position, and claim to receive revelation from God and not have a sure knowledge of its reality. But when you hear them speak, do you sense they are hiding something—any hint of dishonesty or disingenuousness in them, or that they’re speaking for some ulterior motive or sense of power. I guess I can only speak for myself on this, but I feel their sincerity, their conviction, and their complete and total faith in what they share. That is quite compelling evidence to me of the truthfulness of their calling as special witnesses of Christ.
6. 4:8-9
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
I love this one. They are realistic, yet optimistic. They recognize the troubles, perplexities, and persecutions that the church faces, but they are not distressed, in despair, feel forsaken or destroyed. They are not a doom and gloom group of men. I get the sense that they are excited about the future. President Hinckley comes to mind. He was so optimistic about the future of the church, regardless of its challenges. When Mike Wallace interviewed him for 60 minutes years ago, he wondered how President Hinckley could be so calm with all the troubles and problems the world was facing. President Hinckley just smiled and said, “I know how it ends”. The brethren know how it all ends, with Christ’s victory over evil, therefore, they can’t help but be optimistic.
This reminds me of a story of something that happened to President Howard W. Hunter while speaking at BYU fireside in 1993. At the beginning of his talk a troubled young man rushed the stage with a suitcase and a taped-up object claiming to have a bomb. He approached the prophet at the podium and demanded that he read a letter he had written which basically was a statement proclaiming that this man was to be the new prophet. Well, you can imagine how frightening and disturbing that would have been. But President Hunter stood there calmly and firmly and refused to read the letter, even when an angry individual was holding a purported bomb next to his head. Well, the congregation spontaneously started singing, “We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet” which distracted the man long enough for some bystanders and officers to tackle and subdue the man. After the incident, President Hunter was asked if the fireside should be canceled. I mean, I imagine that having your life publicly threatened would probably be a traumatic experience for most of us. But President Hunter seemed unphased and expressed his desire to go ahead and give his talk. Which he did. With calmness, poise, and even some humor. A great illustration of the courage, determination, and tenacity of the prophets.
7. 4:15-16
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
All things they do are for our sake. They work hard, they sacrifice their time and energy, they prepare talks, they make decisions, and though their outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day. So yes, they may be old on the outside, but inside they are strong in the Spirit and renewed through their labor and sacrifice.
I love this quote from Elder Holland about the qualifications they have to speak as they do. I’ll quote it here, but in a class, it’s far more effective to hear Elder Holland say it. So I’ll provide you with a link to the video of his talk and invite you to show it from there. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/10/prophets-in-the-land-again?lang=eng) The part that I quote here can be found from time stamp 5:58 to 7:36.
“Not often but over the years some sources have suggested that the Brethren are out of touch in their declarations, that they don’t know the issues, that some of their policies and practices are out-of-date, not relevant to our times.
As the least of those who have been sustained by you to witness the guidance of this Church firsthand, I say with all the fervor of my soul that never in my personal or professional life have I ever associated with any group who are so in touch, who know so profoundly the issues facing us, who look so deeply into the old, stay so open to the new, and weigh so carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully everything in between. I testify that the grasp this body of men and women have of moral and societal issues exceeds that of any think tank or brain trust of comparable endeavor of which I know anywhere on the earth. I bear personal witness of how thoroughly good they are, of how hard they work, and how humbly they live. It is no trivial matter for this Church to declare to the world prophecy, seership, and revelation, but we do declare it. It is true light shining in a dark world, and it shines from these proceedings.”
(Prophets In the Land Again, Jeffrey R. Holland, Conference Report, Oct. 2006)
Oooo. Goosebumps.
8. 5:11
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
To me the key word here is persuade. This is how they motivate us to change. This is how they lead. They don’t lead by intimidation, they don’t lead by fear, they don’t lead by badgering, they don’t even lead by commanding most the time. They lead by persuasion. They try to lovingly convince us of the best course of action to take in our lives. In Doctrine and Covenants 121:41 the Lord listed for Joseph Smith what he earlier in the section calls the “Principles of Righteousness”. The principles upon which the authority of the priesthood must be exercised in order for a man who possesses it to call upon the powers of heaven. And what is the very first principle that is named? Persuasion. Not charisma, not compulsion, not intimidation, but persuasion. This is how our leaders operate. No wonder they seem so connected to the powers of heaven.
9. 6:3
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
They try not to give offense. I always get the impression that the brethren try very hard to approach even the most delicate and controversial of topics with sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy. They don’t wish to offend anybody. Unless others decide to “make them an offender for a word” as Isaiah says. Case in point. Some of you may recently remember the uproar of criticism over some statements made by Elder Holland at a talk to BYU educators. That, to me, was a perfect example of making someone “an offender for a word” and taking intent and meaning out of context.
And then finally
10.7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
What do the prophets help us to do? Perfect holiness. Every general conference, they add to our understanding, they make us better, we grow and progress as a church and hopefully as individuals. Little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, they help us to be a little more holy, a little more righteous, a little closer to the character of Christ.
TRUTH
Apostles and Prophets are called of God and lead with righteous and loving authority. If we heed them, we will have joy.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
When has something an apostle said or did helped you?
Would anyone be willing to share their testimony of living prophets and apostles?
CONCLUSION
And I would like to take this opportunity to do so. There’s one more set of verses I would like to add to our discussion the power of apostles and prophets. It’s found in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Interesting, the brethren are compared to smells. And Paul makes the point that, to some, they smell sweet, and pleasant, and to others, they are like the stench of a rotting corpse. Which are they to us? Are they a sweet smell to us? Are we excited when general conference rolls around? Could we recognize them by face and name? Do we value their words and counsel? Or are they something different to us? Do they leave a bad smell? Do we dread general conference? Instead of seeing them as helpers of your joy, do we see them as aged lecturers, fun slayers, or as Korihor put it, “Ancient priests who usurp power and authority that you durst not enjoy your rights and privileges”. The brethren can be one or the other to us depending on our spiritual character. Which are they to us?
And to me, they are the sweet-smelling savor of life.
And maybe just a brief story from my youth about a time where I really gained a testimony of living prophets. When I was a deacon, my dad would always take me down to the tabernacle for priesthood session and then afterward we’d go out for pie or ice cream. And I always really enjoyed that experience with my father. Well, it just so happened that my Dad was a close friend of the head usher of the tabernacle at the time and this friend of his would often get us front-row seats. Which was always really nice because one, the brethren were sitting right there in front of me and also the front seats were padded, and we didn't have to sit on those hard tabernacle benches for two hours. Sometimes there would be important or famous people that would also be sitting on or near the front row as well. On one particular occasion, as we walked through the doors of the tabernacle, this friend of my dad's said “Hey, Steve Young is here tonight, do you think your son would like to sit next to him for priesthood session?” Now for any of you that don't know who Steve Young is, he’s a famous football player. He played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers for a number of years. He was a Superbowl champion, very famous, very well-known, and a member of the church. He was also someone I considered to be a hero of mine. Well we walked into the tabernacle and there he was, sitting right there and I walked over and sat down, right next to him. Oh, I was so excited. I was thinking, this is gonna be coolest thing to go home and tell my friends that I sat next to Steve Young at General Conference. I even pulled out a little piece of paper and asked him for an autograph which he very graciously signed for me. And I’m just sitting there in awe and so excited that I almost couldn't even sense what was going on around me. But then, all of a sudden, something changed in the room and the tabernacle went completely silent and everybody stood up. You could physically feel the change in the building. And at this point, I'm still kind of looking up at Steve Young and thinking, “You're Steve Young, You're Steve Young.” But then I noticed that everybody was looking up at the front and Steve Young was looking very intently at the front, and so I turned my head to see what everybody was looking at. At that particular moment Ezra Taft Benson was making his way into the tabernacle. His health was very poor at this time, and I believe it was one of the last times he appeared in General Conference. He was being helped in by President Hinckley on one arm and President Monson on the other and taking slow, tiny little steps into the room. But I tell you the spirit that that frail little body brought into the building filled the entire space of the tabernacle with his spirit. And at that moment, it was almost as if the spirit just whispered something in my ear. It said, “Ben, this is your hero. This is who you want to be like. This is who you want to follow.” Not the strong, famous, rich, football player, but this little old man, who is the prophet of God. And I say that with no offense to Steve Young who I could also sense had great faith in his prophet. Now I still went home and told all my friends about my experience. But the greatest thing I walked away with that night was a stronger and deeper conviction of the power of living prophets. I even eventually lost the autograph if that tells you anything. There is a power and a connection with heaven that is palpable and real in these men of God. I love the primary hymn that goes, “Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet, don’t’ go astray. Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet, he knows the way.” I testify that he does know the way, so follow him!
I love the brethren; I hope you do too!
REAL REPENTANCE
ICEBREAKER
Another lesson that you could teach this week comes from 2 Corinthians 7. For an icebreaker you could play: Find the Symbol or do the following handout activity. You see, the scriptures are full of symbolism which helps us to grasp difficult gospel principles by comparing them to objects and things that we are more familiar with and therefore easier to understand. Today we’re going to look at sin as a symbol in the scriptures. Sin is compared to a number of different things in the scriptures. Can you find the symbol for sin in the following verses?
Isaiah 1:5-6 Sickness
Moroni 8:24 A broken law(crime)
1 Nephi 8:23 Mist of Darkness
2 Nephi 1:13 Chains
Matthew 18:24 Debt
Then finally, one more symbol for sin here in 2 Corinthians 7:1. What did Paul compare sin to?
Filthiness. Sinning is like getting dirty.
Now, if you look closely at each of these symbols, each one represents a different kind of problem. Which makes sense because sin is a problem. It’s a setback for our souls. A difficulty for our development. So God offers us a solution or a way out of those problems and a Savior to help us resolve those problems. We can’t do it by ourselves. And what is the doctrinal solution to sin? Repentance. But repentance can often be a difficult concept to understand. So symbolically speaking let’s take each one of our scriptural symbols for sin and I want you to tell me what repentance could symbolically be compared to and what Christ could be compared to in each of those symbols? And their answers could vary here. There isn’t one correct answer for each of these. Just use your imagination and do your best. For example, if sin is sickness, then repentance is medicine and Christ is the physician. He even compared himself to that in the gospels. If sin is a broken law, then repentance is pardon, and I need an advocate, or a lawyer. If sin is a mist of darkness, then repentance is light, and Christ is a guide. If sin is a chain, then repentance is the key to the lock and Christ is our liberator. If sin is debt, then repentance is payment, and Christ becomes our mediator, and if sin is filthiness, then repentance is soap or detergent and Christ is our washer, or cleaner. And thank heaven that we CAN become clean again. And Paul has some important things to teach us about this process here in 2 Corinthians. He’s going to teach us some important truths about repentance.
SEARCH
I think that if I were to ask the average member of the church what repentance was, most would launch into an explanation of how to repent. Perhaps they would start by listing off the steps of repentance, sometimes referred to as the 5 r’s. recognition, remorse, restitution, reformation, and resolution. And for many years including up through my mission, that’s how I would have answered that question. But I think that since then, through a study of the scriptures and help from other great teachers, I have come to a more mature understanding of the principle of repentance. I love the definition that the Bible Dictionary gives us which says:
The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined.
Interesting, no mention of any of the steps of repentance. Now don’t get me wrong, the steps of repentance are very important concepts. Each one of them will help us to repent when we have sinned, but they are not repentance itself. I have come to the conclusion that repentance is an attitude, it’s a state of being, a state of the heart.
Paul does an incredible job of capturing the attitude of a repentant individual. He uses such great words.
So first give your students the context of the chapter by reminding them that Paul had sent a letter to the Corinthians that was very critical, rebuking them for some of their actions. Many of the Corinthians had taken Paul’s rebuke to heart and were now feeling sorry and guilty for what they had done. And here Paul is going to explain to them that this was actually a good thing because it revealed the attitude of a truly repentant person.
So please read 2 Corinthians 7:7-11 looking for any word or phrase that helps you to understand the attitude of a truly repentant person.
And what do we find?
Earnest desire: A truly repentant person has a sincere desire to change
Mourning: A truly repentant person mourns the mistakes they have made; they have a deep sense of regret for the sin
Fervent mind toward me: A truly repentant person is willing to follow Savior anew. They have turned their hearts and minds towards God, fervently, or eagerly, enthusiastically.
And then this next part is interesting, Paul talks about two different types of sorrow an individual might feel when they sin in verses 9-10.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
What are those two types of sorrow? There is godly sorrow, and the sorrow of the world.
Now what do those two terms mean? What is worldly sorrow and what is godly sorrow?
Ezra Taft Benson helps us to clarify these terms:
“It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).
“Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson[1988], 72).
And then to really clarify in our minds the difference between these two attitudes, let’s do this little activity entitled “Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow”. I’m going to show you different hypothetical statements from people who have done something wrong and are now feeling sorry for it. Are these examples of Godly sorrow or Worldly sorrow.
But bishop, everyone will see that I’m not blessing the sacrament. You might as well advertise to the whole ward that I’ve done something wrong.
I don’t like the way all these lies I tell makes me feel. I want the spirit back in my life.
Bishop, I know what I’ve done is wrong, what can I do to make it right?
Bishop, I can’t go on a mission right now! What will my parents say!
It’s not my fault I’ve ended up in prison. I’m the way I am because of how I was raised. I hate prison. It’s not fair that I have to be here.
I can’t believe I did that. No matter how hard I try to be righteous. Every day, in some way I slip up. I want to be good, but sometimes it’s just hard.
Like the Bible dictionary explained, repentance is a turning of the heart and will to God. If we are too focused on and concerned about the consequences of our sins, we aren’t focusing on turning our hearts and will over to God. We need to focus on that relationship, on our desire to be right with God, not just the rest of world or our consequences resolved.
When I served as bishop, when individuals came to me to confess and work through their sins, at times, there was a need for some type of discipline, whether large or small. And after explaining those disciplinary measures, I would always watch for the attitude. If there was resistance, or bitterness, or frustration, I usually know that the process of repentance was going to take a little longer for that individual, that their heart needed a little more time to truly change and repent. On the other hand, if I saw humility and contrition, and a willingness to accept whatever it took to be right with God, then I knew, that the repentance process was going to be quicker for that individual. Repentance needs to be accompanied by godly sorrow. It’s one of the greatest indicators of a truly repentant person.
And then vs. 11 is chock full of great repentant attitude words. Just look at them all:
Carefulness: A truly repentant person seeks to be careful about their future actions, wary of falling into the same traps again
Clearing of yourselves: A truly repentant person has a desire to be clear of their guilt. To have their sins washed away.
Indignation: A truly repentant person is indignant about their past actions. They can’t believe they allowed themselves to be fooled by the adversary, and they vow never to be deceived again.
Fear: The word fear in the scriptures usually means “respect”. A truly repentant person respects the Savior and his sacrifice that made it possible for them to repent.
Vehement desire: A truly repentant person is vehement in their desire to change. Some synonyms for vehement are ardent, fierce, and intense.
Zeal: This means passion. A truly repentant person is passionate about fixing their mistakes. They are zealous to repair the wrongs they have committed. They are willing to do whatever it takes to be right with God.
And then my favorite one of all
Revenge: Repentance is the ultimate revenge against the adversary. You vow to not allow Satan to get the upper hand in your life. He may have won a battle, but you are determined to win the war. You are not going to let him overcome you. You’re going to get him back. I mean you’ve the Savior on your side. How could you lose? So repent! Get revenge on Satan.
And if we have those attitudes, what will be the result? We will approve ourselves to be clear in this matter.
God will clear us of those sins. It will be as if we never committed them in the first place. That is the beauty of repentance.
Perhaps two of my favorite scriptures on the power of repentance are found first in Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
And then Doctrine and Covenants 58:42
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I the Lord remember them no more
We not only believe in a God who forgives, but a God who forgives and forgets. If we’ve repented, He’s not going to bring up the past with us at the judgment. When we perhaps fearfully ask if we are worthy to enter his kingdom despite all the mistakes that we’ve made, he’ll say “Yes, you made it! You lived a life worthy of exaltation and glory, enter into my kingdom thou good and faithful servant.” But we might protest, and say, “but what about the time I did this, or this, and that. And I really struggled for a long time with this and that.” If we have striven to live a repentant attitude, if our hearts have been filled with godly sorrow and vehement desire to do what’s right, perhaps he will look at us with great love and say, “I don’t remember that”. Won’t that be an incredible feeling? Like the hymn says: Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
Maybe one final thought from these verses, perhaps a student will wonder about the pain, the sorrow, and the guilt. How do we get over those feelings? I would direct them to vs 8 and ask: What does this phrase at the end of vs. 8 teach us about repentance?
Though it were but for a season
The sorrow, the guilt, and the regret of sin isn’t meant to last forever. It goes away! God doesn’t want us to be sorrowful forever. He is a God of joy. Repentance and forgiveness can restore that joy. We only have to endure the pain for a season, just long enough to change our hearts, then he can fill them with joy once again.
Sadly, Satan tries to hamper our efforts even here. God does require and desire that we endure a time of godly sorrow and regret. But Satan tempts us to hold on to that feeling forever. In fact, he tempts us to warp that godly sorrow into something far worse that God never intended—shame. And then Satan tries to get us to hold on to that shame forever. He wants us to feel forever unworthy, unloved, and hopeless because of our past actions. Don’t fall for it! If you have repented, if you have been forgiven, be sure to give Christ his victory over your sins. Don’t keep dredging up the past. Let them go! He has! Don’t make yourself a higher judge than Christ.
TRUTH
When I sin, if I repent with godly sorrow and a vehement desire to change, I will forever be cleared of the matter.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
Without sharing any past sins, could anyone describe what it feels like to be forgiven?
And for me. I’m an avid backpacker. I love going into the outdoors with just the necessities strapped to my back and hike into the backcountry for miles. And after a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than dropping that backpack off my shoulders. You feel so light, almost like you could fly. To me, that’s what forgiveness feels like. Jesus lifts that weight and burden off my back and shoulders it for me. And I love Him for that. I’m so grateful for the doctrine of repentance.
CONCLUSION
At this point in the lesson I like to offer my students an invitation and a testimony. If there is something in your life right now that you feel is making you unclean. If you feel sick, guilty, chained, in darkness, or in debt then I invite you to repent. If that requires a heartfelt prayer between you and your Father in Heaven, then I invite you to do that soon. If you feel that what you've done may require some priesthood help, then I invite you to make an appointment with your bishop soon. He will help guide you through that process with love and understanding. You can be clean! You can be cleared of the matter! You can be freed! You can be released from the debt! You can be brought back into the light! You can be forgiven! And when you are, remember that it will be as if you never committed the sin in the first place. God will remember it no more! Repentance and Christ are the solution.
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