Project woot woot!!

Hey!! So for this week's project I wrote about the pattern of repetition in the Book of Mormon focusing on the repetition of repentance. I learned a lot from looking at the different scriptures and different ways that repentance was preached in the scriptures. Below is my essay!! I hope you enjoy!!!

Many patterns are found in the scriptures. Repetition is one of the patterns most commonly found. Also common in the Book of Mormon is the concept of repentance. Repentance is preached throughout the Book of Mormon several times. The repetition of this idea and commandment gives to the reader a better understanding of how important repentance really is.
For the first project I did in this class, I memorized Moroni 7:10-11. I love this scripture because it says that in order to follow Christ you can’t be doing bad things. This scripture to me is an excellent example of the repetition of repentance in the scriptures. The concept of being good in order to do good is a key part of repentance and is manifested heavily in this scripture.
In 3 Nephi chapter sixteen Christ preaches to the people of the importance of repentance. He says that if the people will repent and turn unto Him that they will greatly blessed. He also explains what will happen if the people do not repent. He simply says that if they do not repent that He will “suffer them…[I] shall treat them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth goof for nothing but to be cast out.”
The importance of repentance, although it is repeated often, can sometimes be abstract and symbolic. Many times the Lord will use the reference of good fruit, bad fruit. In 3 Nephi chapter fourteen, Christ explains to the people that good trees bring forth good fruit and bad trees bring forth bad fruit. Some may not recognize this as a message about repentance but this is how I interpreted it. If we are doing bad things in our lives then we cannot do that which is right and impact the lives of those around us. Repentance is a magnificent process that can turn us from bad trees into good trees.
More often than not, when repentance is preached in the Book of Mormon, the people are wicked and are told to repent or be destroyed. In Ether chapter eleven the people are wicked and the prophets are preaching repentance to them. The prophets are telling the people that because of their wickedness they will be destroyed. These people rejected the words of the prophets and were destroyed. It is interesting to me to think that these people not only had one modern prophet but they had many, yet they still rebelled and refused to listen. If the people had repented then they wouldn’t have been destroyed.
Helaman chapter seven once again is about the importance of repenting. The people are told that they must repent or perish. The prophet is prophesying to them the things that they must do for eternal happiness and progression and it is as simple as repenting for their sins and turning to their Heavenly Father. These people refuse to listen and do not realize the heartache and trouble they are bringing upon themselves and their posterity.
I have always recognized that the Book of Mormon is highly repetitious. I also have known that one of the most repeated topics is repentance. By doing this project though, I have recognized even better how the message is the same without fail. Nothing differs. The people are wicked and will be destroyed if they do not repent. The prophets are the ones preaching repentance to the people. We can easily compare this to our lives today. As youth in the church, we are constantly under attack by the adversary. It is not always easy to resist. Because our Heavenly Father loves us He has given us the wonderful opportunity to repent and be forgiven for our sins. I am so thankful that I am able to repent when I have done wrong and that I have the Book of Mormon as a wonderful example and testimony of the power of repentance.
I shared this essay with my friend LeAndra. It helps me to share my thoughts and feelings with other people so that I can get their feedback on the topic and understand how they feel. LeAndra shared with me that she is also thankful for repentance and that she is grateful for the opportunity that we have to go to our Father in Heaven and ask for forgiveness. She also told me that she knows our Heavenly Father loves us because He lets us learn from our mistakes and come to Him when we are ready.