Perhaps an understanding of what repentance is not would help us gain clarity on this 1st principle of the gospel.
Repentance is not:
- Suffering
- Punishment
- Confession
- Remorse
- Sorrow
These feelings may accompany repentance, but they are not repentance.
Quoting Elder Burton: “As a General Authority, I have prepared information for the First Presidency to use in considering applications to readmit repentant transgressors into the Church and to restore priesthood and temple blessings. Many times a Bishop will write, I feel he has suffered enough!” Elder Burton continues,
“But suffering is not repentance.”