"Our message is unique," he said. " We declare to the world that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth. ... It is the final time, before the coming of Jesus Christ to rule and reign over the Earth."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, formerly an airline captain in his native Germany, spoke about an aviation principle known as "the point of safe return," a decisive point in a flight at which the pilot must determine if he has enough fuel to return to the safety of the home field. In some instances, he said, it is referred to as "the point of no return."

No such principle applies in the case of repentance, said Elder Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve. The Lord has "made a perfect atonement for mankind" that includes the blessing of repentance at any time. "If we have taken the wrong course, the atonement ... can give us the assurance that sin is not a point of no return. A safe return is possible if we will follow God's plan for our salvation."

Some believe that their sins have not been forgiven because they can still remember them, Elder Uchtdorf said. Remembering transgressions may help an individual to avoid making the same mistakes. The memories will soften over time as part of the sanctification process. A feeling of peace is the most common evidence that repentance has been accepted by the Lord.

Echoing those sentiments, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve said that repentance has been a part of the gospel plan from the beginning and is one of the oft-recurring themes of scripture.

"To repent fully is to convert completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and his holy work. ... The fruits of repentance are sweet. Repentant converts find that the truths of the restored gospel govern their thoughts and deeds, shape their habits and forge their character. "

Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve also touched on the theme, urging members not to procrastinate — either the need for repentance or the call to do good works. "Complacency is a danger for us all." There is never a time to suppose one has done enough and can now rest, or to be paralyzed into inaction by a feeling that there is so much to do one doesn't know where to start.

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Contributing: Twila Van Leer

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E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com