Mormons believe that God made a way for everyone to return to him through Jesus Christ, and the way is repentance. It is not a punishment for sin to have to admit wrongs, change our ways, and sometimes confess to a bishop. The steps of repentance put us back on the path to righteousness, and they are only meant to help us purify our hearts and never go back to our mistakes. Repentance is difficult, but the rewards are infinite.
Richard G. Hinckley said the following of repentance:
“How grateful I am for the understanding we have of this great principle. It is not a harsh principle, as I thought when I was a boy. It is kind and merciful.” (”Repentance, a Blessing of Membership,” Ensign, May 2006, 49)
Heavenly Father gave his only begotten Son to suffer and die at the hands of cruel enemies, lonely and without succor, just so we could all have the chance to come back to him and feel the glory of his presence. Would we hold back our repentance where he has done so much? So much was paid so that we could repent and have joy in being pure, and so much is at stake in our repenting-we have nothing to lose but sorrow as we increase in our purity.
Complete repentance brings a new and better life. It turns a life we may think we have destroyed into a blessed life. Repentance restores opportunities and blessings and self-respect. Repent. Be worthy once again to return to the God and Father who loves you enough-in all of your imperfections-to sacrifice everything.