Manti 2008 Team T-Shirts

As is our tradition, we design a new t-shirt every year for our mission team. Last year’s shirt was a big hit that helped draw people into conversations. Numerous people approached me and asked what the shirt meant.

We are hoping for similar responses this year with our new design. The stop sign is similar to the shirt we had for 2004, but our message this year is different. “Stop Repenting” is a phrase that most Mormons would find contradictory to their beliefs. They are told that they must repent or they will not be forgiven. Part of repentance is forsaking sin. If a Mormon does not forsake a particular sin, they are not forgiven for the offense. However, the vast majority of Mormons believe that if they repeat a sin, they can always “repent again.” What they fail to realize is that if they really repented of all of their sin the first time, there would be no need for repentance later. Why? There would be no sin for which they need to repent.

The small print underneath helps explain what we mean by the larger eye catching phrase. Mormons need to stop repenting and just keep the commandments. If you have kept the commandments, you would not be guilty of sin which requires repentance. This never ending cycle of sin and repentance can only be escaped if the commandments are perfectly kept.

Joseph Smith understood this idea when he stated that God is not pleased with continual repentance. Continual repentance means that you are continuing to sin. According to Alma 11:37 in the Book of Mormon, we will not be saved if we are in our sins. If Mormonism is correct, then
Stop repenting and keep the commandments!

The back of the shirt lists our web site where they can get more information.