VideoGameJunkie Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 I heard to repent you must come before the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. What is that? Do you have to be crying while repenting?
Wanderer7 Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 "The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit... When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms... This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven. Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur."-Bruce D. Porter 3
Calm Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) It is not about the outward or physical state, but the inner one so tears are not necessary. Between the poles of sin and adversity, lie such intermediate points as unwise choices and hasty judgments. In these cases, it may be unclear just how much personal fault we bear for the bitter fruits we may taste or cause others to taste. Bitterness may taste the same, whatever its source, and it can destroy our peace, break our hearts, and separate us from God. Could it be that the great ‘at-one-ment’ of Christ could put back together the broken parts and give beauty to the ashes of experience such as this? I believe that it does, because tasting the bitter in all its forms is a deliberate part of the great plan of life. This consequence of the Fall was not just a terrible mistake; rather, it gives mortality its profound meaning: ‘They taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good’ (Moses 6:55)”https://www.lds.org/ensign/1990/04/beauty-for-ashes-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/broken-heartMy Spirit is sent forth to enlighten the humble and contrite:D&C 136:33;To have a broken heart is to be humble, contrite, repentant, and meek—that is, receptive to the will of God.I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit:Isa. 57:15;Christ offered himself for those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit:2 Ne. 2:7;Offer for sacrifice unto the Lord a broken heart and contrite spirit:3 Ne. 9:20; ( D&C 59:8; )Only those with broken hearts and contrite spirits are received unto baptism:Moro. 6:2;Jesus was crucified for the remission of sins unto the contrite heart:D&C 21:9;He whose spirit is contrite is accepted:D&C 52:15;The Holy Spirit is promised to those who are contrite:D&C 55:3; Edited April 4, 2014 by calmoriah
VideoGameJunkie Posted April 4, 2014 Author Posted April 4, 2014 Thanks! This helps with my repentance process!
Garden Girl Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 Hello VGJ...Haven't you ever felt such sorrow and remorse that you literally ached inside? The hurt is more than just tears, although tears may be a part of it... but it is more the deep sorrow of soul, deep aching sorrow and turning to the Lord to find the only comfort that will help. The Bruce Porter quote above describes it accurately...All throughout our lives we can feel sorry for something we said or did, and can even repent with prayer and a determination not to do or say something again. That's one thing... but the remorse and humbleness we feel for the more serious actions we've committed are what approaches that feeling of a broken heart and contrite spirit. GG
teddyaware Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) "The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit... When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms... This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven. Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur." -Bruce D. Porter Upon first reading this, I thought it was you, Wanderer, who had penned this magnificent encapsulation of what it means to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I was filled with awe because I knew I was reading modern scripture, even though I didn't know who 'Wanderer' was. Then I realized these words weren't Wanderer's, but I thank and honor him for remembering and posting these most profound words to live by. If every Latter-day Saint could truly internalize and learn to live by these sublime words, the Church would grow by leaps and bound, set a shinning example for all to follow, and revolutionize the world for good in very short order. I'm posting these words on my mirror. Thanks again, Wanderer! Edited April 4, 2014 by teddyaware 1
Kevin Christensen Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) A broken heart corresponds to willingness to offer our desires as a sacrifice. A contrite spirit corresponds to willingness to offer our preconceptions as a sacrifice. Many years ago, I began collecting arguments offered by Biblical peoples towards the rejection of Biblical prophets. Eventually I noticed that that all boil to people saying, "It's not what I want," and/or "It's not what I think." I wrote this up for FAIR. http://en.fairmormon.org/Biblical_Keys_for_Discerning_True_and_False_Prophets/Rejecting_true_prophets In Myths, Models, and Paradigms, Ian Barbour describes one of the most basic spiritual experiences as "Reorientation and Reconcilliation," that is, a change in thinking, and a change in feeling. Conversion. It's what happens to Alma in Alma 36, to Nephi in 2 Nephi 5, to Joseph Smith in the grove, and later in Liberty Jail. Joseph Campbell explained that in the ancient world temples were often guarded by two figures who represented Fear and Desire. In order to enter into the Real, we have to be willing to leave our preconceptions, that is what we fear is so, and our desires, what we most want to be so. That does not mean that we should uncritically abandon our thinking and our values, but that we should be willing to offer them. The alternative is to approach God with an impenetrable chip on our shoulder, and an unwillingess to give up what we most want. These are also the means by which Maya the God of Illusions tempted the Buddha before his enlightenment. Fear and Desire. What we think, what we want. If we are realistic and honest with ourselves, we ought to recognize that what we think at the moment falls short of omniscience, and some of our desires are short-sighted. If we fall for our own pride, we say, "I'm not going to believe anything that does not fit my current conceptions of rationality," and "My desires define me...to give up something as essential to my being as my deepest desire is to loose my soul and my identity." So, when the discourse in 3 Nephi says, we have to begin with the sacrifice of a broken heart, and a contrite spirit, that taps into a profoundly deep insight into the nature of religion and spirituality. FWIW Kevin Christensen Bethel Park, PA Edited April 4, 2014 by Kevin Christensen 1
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 I heard to repent you must come before the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. What is that? Do you have to be crying while repenting?It is when the soul is so grieved due to sin, that all defenses and pretenses are dropped, and that soul can no longer resist the Spirit of The Lord.
Mystery Meat Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 I thought a broken heart and a contrite spirit were the same thing for a long time. Now, when I think of a broken heart I think of a wild horse that is now tame. That horse had to be BROKEN.
altersteve Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 It simply means you're truly and sincerely sorry. You feel bad for what you've done and want to make things right again.
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