"Go, and Sin No More"

There are many examples throughout the scriptures of people experiencing a change of heart and completely repenting of their sins. Others show loyalty to God in the face of evil. The most amazing thing about these people is their attitude toward sin:

• Joseph: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)


• Christ: “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.” (D&C 20:22)


• Nephi: “Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?” (2 Nephi 4:31)


• Jacob: “Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness” (2 Nephi 9:49)


• King Benjamin’s people: “the Spirit . . . has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2)


• High priests: “they . . . could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence” (Alma 13:12)


• King Lamoni’s people: “their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33)


• King Lamoni’s father: “Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast . . . I will give away all my sins to know thee” (Alma 22:15, 18)


• Captain Moroni: “Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 48:17)


• Three Nephites: “there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them” (3 Nephi 28:39)

The scriptures also share much wise counsel concerning sin:

• King Solomon: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” (Proverbs 1:10)


• Paul: “we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6); “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23); “God . . . will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13)


• Christ: “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11); “entangle not yourselves in sin” (D&C 88:86)


• Lehi: “arise from the dust, my sons, and be men . . . put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound” (2 Nephi 1: 21, 23)


• Jacob: “Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal” (2 Nephi 9:39); “turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast” (2 Nephi 9:45); “let us remember him, and lay aside our sins” (2 Nephi 10:20)


• Amulek: “the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations” (Alma 11:23)


• Alma: “wickedness never was happiness”(Alma 41:10)

Challenge: Pick a scripture that strikes you as a powerful reminder to avoid sin, withstand temptation, and repent. Write it down and put it somewhere you will see it often. Another option is to frequently read 2 Nephi 4.