A fun way to present this lesson might be to come dressed in surgical scrubs, stethoscope, and tray of instruments to "cure" any who are "ill". Malcolm S. Jeppsen bore this witness: "I testify that while there are physical ailments that cannot be healed, all spiritual illness can be healed because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. (April 94-Conference)

He also said, "Physicians do not cure patients. All a physician can do is to provide a good healing environment." Just as a physician needs tools to aid in the healing process, the Savior has also told us what tools are necessary for the healing of spiritual illness. We must be willing to provide a "healing environment" when repentance is necessary and then Jesus Christ will "heal us" (3 Nephi l8:32) King Benjamin taught that retaining a remission of sins is a continual process requiring "calling on the name of the Lord daily". (Mosiah Chapter 4:ll-12)

Decide the timing depending on your material. Suddenly announce that everyone is to drop everything and follow you outside, (or into the chapel if available - somewhere quiet)  Talk about what it will be like when our time comes to leave the earth...most of us will have little advance warning. What will we take with us? Do you think you will have any regrets? Are there things you need to repent of? Forgive? Be forgive of? We will not be able to take care of all the little things we left unfinished. End your discussion by talking about how important it is to take care of things now - when we can.

As women we are taught the importance self-breast exams to detect cancer in it's early stages. Do we take the same care with our "spiritual exams"? And what do we do when we find "lumps"???  In Mosiah Chapter 28:4 we read that repentance does not come pain free, but peace will come. Talking about the Sons of Mosiah, "Thus did the spirit work upon them.....they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities."

This is a nursery rhyme that I've seen used by several but I think it was first used my Vaughn J. Featherstone.  "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; and all the kings horses, and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again. But the King could, and the King can, and the King will."

Repentance is not something we do by ourselves....or "can" do by ourselves.   Faith in Christ brings the remission of sin and is a gift of God. If we have faith in Christ, understand that the atonement was for us, and apply it in our lives, we begin to understand that justice is merciful and mercy is just." Millennial Generation"

One of the most beautiful changes that takes place is the love we feel for others when we are repentant and the desire to serve the Lord. The sons of Mosiah had experienced this change of heart. They desired to serve others, to seek counsel. They were filled with love for others and they desired peace for all. They knew that this peace comes through Christ and the atonement. Their love was so great that they feared there would be some who would be lost.

Repentance is a sweet feeling that fills your heart with love; love for others and love for the Savior. All desire to do wrong departs, the happiness felt in all encompassing, and you want nothing to take that feeling away.  Our thank you in return is service. Service to those He loves too. When we serve, we not only bring the opportunity for others to obtain eternal life, but we are also working out our own salvation.

Do we sometimes feel that are sins are too great to be forgiven? Yes, but "the sons of Mosiah were the very vilest of sinners, and the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them." If the Lord is willing to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive ourselves and accept His gift. Enos, Alma the Younger, and the Sons of Mosiah experienced such feelings.  Enos wrestled before God before he received a remission of his sins. Alma the Younger said he said he was "in the darkest abyss"....my soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.

The Rx needed For Eternal Life

- diagnosis of the illness Mosiah 28:2

- Recognize what is causing the illness in your life. Mosiah 28:3

- Remorse (Painful but necessary) Mosiah 28:4

- Seek help to regain strength, (Prayers and faith) (Mosiah 4:1-3

- Removal of virus or bacteria - Keep clean (D&C 82:7)

- Follow the doctors orders (Keep the commandments)

- No Bed Rest Needed - Serve and be Faithful (Mosiah 27:35)

 Richard G. Scott said, "Sometimes the steps of repentance are initially difficult and painful, ....yet, they produce purity, peace of mind, self-respect, hope, and finally, a new person with a renewed life and abundance of opportunity.

How will we know when the Lord has forgiven us????? "When you have fully repented, you feel an inner peace. You know somehow you are forgiven because the burden you have carried for so long, all of a sudden isn't there anymore. It is gone and you know it's gone.....and "the Lord promised he would remember no more," (Heb 8:12)" Howard F. Burton (April 83)