Weakness and Repentance

We are all given weakness as part of life here in mortality. It is a gift from God. (Ether 12: 27.) Repentance requires us to turn away from sin, and to face a new direction where God is found.

Despite our hopes, and our desires, and our best efforts, we are confined to a place and occupy circumstances where we are "weak." (Id.) The Lord promises, however, that He will "make weak things strong." (Ether 12: 27.) What does that mean? How does our "weakness" become "strong?"

It does not involve any magic. We do not get some easy and effortless cure to our weakness just because we desire to change. We must actually change. How do we change? The Lord explains that to Moroni in the same conversation: "I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me-- the fountain of righteousness." (Ether 12: 28.) Or, in other words, the "strength" we hope to receive comes from "faith" in Christ. Our "hope" is found through Him. Our "charity" is a gift also.

The "strength" is entirely borrowed. We are only as strong as our dependence on Him. Our "weakness" is strength only as we depend on Him and His rescue.

For some of us, that "strength" will involve longsuffering and continual reminders through our failure that we have been "given weakness" for a purpose - that we may be humble. As we struggle, we find exposed to our view the weakness we despise in ourselves, long to overcome, and struggle with daily, like a thorn in our flesh tearing at us. Paul begged the Lord to remove his, and was told repeatedly this weakness would remain there to afflict him so he might be humble. (2 Cor. 12: 7-9.) Therefore, Paul took consolation in the knowledge this struggle was godly. (2 Cor. 12: 10.)

Why should you be spared the struggle? Why should you not be kept humble by the weakness you have within? Why should you not take up your cross and follow Him? (Mark 10: 21.) Should your cross be anything other than a revelation to you of your own dependence on God, and need for Him?

Repentance is the start of a journey undertaken between you and your Lord. He will reveal you and Him to you through that journey. Hence the requirement for repentance in order to enter into His kingdom.