“One morning when he was getting ready to continue the translation, something went wrong about the house and he was put out about it. Something that Emma, his wife, had done. Oliver and I went up stairs, and Joseph came up soon after to continue the translation, but he could not do anything. He could not translate a single syllable. He went down stairs, out into the orchard and made supplication to the Lord; was gone about an hour—came back to the house, asked Emma’s forgiveness and then came up stairs where we were and the translation went on all right. He could do nothing save he was humble and faithful.” (Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling,p 77)
p 77)Which brings up the question, “Why repent?”
It seems that we have to repent before we can use our “faith” to do things. Maybe the whole “faith without works is dead”, means we need to do the work of repenting.
Repenting is returning.
According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew term used for this repentance process is “shub,” usually translated “to return” or “to turn back.” We are to turn away from sin and turn back to the good. Of course this implies that we have something to return to — another life before this one on earth.
I know many people use the metaphor of two paths meaning two ways you can go — one towards God and one towards the Adversary. But interestingly, Hugh Nibley said, there are not two paths, just one path, and it is all about which direction you are headed — towards returning to God or away from God. And it changes all the time by what you are choosing to do this very day. Which way are you faced?
When we repent, we turn back to heading towards our home and our God. But it isn’t that easy down here on planet earth. Returning to God can be likened to being born again — not an easy process. But at birth you are given a new name to symbolize a new life.
Metamorphosis is a word that is associated with transformation.
I immediately think of butterflies and the collection I had when I was a child. Butterflies undergo metamorphosis as part of their growth. From caterpillar to butterfly. It’s a being born again kind of think, and becoming a new creature.
Martin Harris wanted to be one of the three witnesses, but he had to get his heart right before God. He had to do the work of repentance. Joseph said to him,
“you have got to humble yourself before your God this day, that you may obtain forgiveness of your sins. If you do, it is the will of God that you should look upon the plates, in company with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.”
When they went to pray Martin had to leave the group, saying he was the obstacle. He knew he was the obstacle for the others receiving this promise. He left, the angel appeared giving the other two witnesses view of the plates. Joseph went and found Martin, prayed with him and later Martin became the third witness to the gold plates.
It’s a continual process, but eventually, you are born again, you ascend the ladder to heaven, having metamorphosed and receiving a new name, and becoming a new creature. When we go to pray it is best if we are prepared. Not only prepared about what to say, but having repented as well.
When a track athlete approaches his race, he gets on his “mark” at the blocks. I am sure he has prepared. Can you imagine showing up to a race without first doing the workouts? Without preparation, without the work, he could not have the faith or the confidence to win.
Repentance is the process of changing, but eventually, you want to be born again — a new creature, a new name, a terrestrial being instead of an earthly, telestial creature.
