Retaining a Remission of your Sins

King Benjamin lets us know how to retain a remission of sins. He gives a great checklist of what's important in order for this to happen.

First some broad points:

6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—

7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.

The Atonement was prepared from the time the Earth's foundation was started. It comes to those who put their trust in the Lord, are diligent in keeping the commandments and continue in the faith. What does it look like to do these 3 things? He gives guidance in the rest of the chapter.

8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

1) Believe in God

2) repent of your sins and forsake them

3) humble yourselves before God

4) ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you

5) always retain in remembrance

a) greatness of God

b) humble yourselves

c) calling on the name of the Lord daily

d) standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come (Christ coming)

6) live peaceably

7) teach them (children) to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another

8) ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish

9) should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants

But also a piece of wisdom regarding being overly exuberant in accomplishing these things:

27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

Also, a guide about watching yourself, not just depending on a list of "do's and don'ts".

29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.

30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

Great chapter. I appreciate the guidance on how to retain the remission of sins granted through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on all those that believe.