Question 1. The word “repentance” means:
The correct answer is C. Change
Repentance means to change.
Discussion
When a church member has been excommunicated, Bishops, Stakes Presidents, and family members can write a letter to the First Presidency giving their reasons why a former members blessings should be restored.
Elder Theodore M. Burton’s assignment was to prepare information for the First Presidency so repentant transgressors could have their priesthood and temple blessings restored. He said: “the most basic principles of the gospel are sometimes those least understood”. He said this because of the letters he read from church leaders and family members in his assignment. He explains:
“Many times a bishop will write, ‘I feel he has suffered enough!’ But suffering is not repentance. Suffering comes from lack of complete repentance. A stake president will write, ‘I feel he has been punished enough!’ But punishment is not repentance. Punishment follows disobedience and precedes repentance. A husband will write, ‘My wife has confessed everything!’ But confession is not repentance. Confession is an admission of guilt that occurs as repentance begins. A wife will write, ‘My husband is filled with remorse!’ But remorse is not repentance. Remorse and sorrow continue because a person has not yet fully repented. Suffering, punishment, confession, remorse, and sorrow may sometimes accompany repentance, but they are not repentance… In our repentance, we should remember that the Lord does not punish us for our sins; he simply withholds his blessings. We punish ourselves.”
“The meaning of repentance is not that people be punished, but rather that they change their lives so that God can help them escape eternal punishment and enter into his rest with joy and rejoicing.” “The Meaning of Repentance”, Ensign, Aug. 1988, 6–9, Theodore M. Burton
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Question 2. According to D&C 19 How does the Lord punish his followers when they sin?
The correct answer is C. He will withdraw his Spirit
Discussion
Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit. D&C 19:20
President Brigham Young pointed out that the intensity of Christ’s suffering was induced by the withdrawal from him of the Father’s Spirit. And I quote from Brother Young:
“. . . at the very moment . . . when the crisis came . . . the Father withdrew . . . His Spirit, and cast a veil over him. That is what made him sweat blood . . . he then plead with the Father not to forsake him.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p. 206).