I am not sure to which answer you are referring. So, I will make this a more general answer. First of all there are three steps to repentance. The first is to confess your sin. Just what this entails depends on the sin. If it is a relatively minor sin, then it is just between you and God. If you have wronged another, then it may also entail confessing to the one wronged. If it is a serious sin, then it may also require confession to a church leader. The second step is recompense. This is basically accepting the consequences of your sin. If you have done damage to someone else, then you do what you can to make them whole (pay for repairs, medical expenses, return that which was taken, etc.) If you have actually committed a crime against society, then this would also mean accepting what ever penalty society deems appropriate through the designated authorities. Depending on the offense, it could also mean Church disciplinary action (disfellowshipment or excommunication). The final step is to never commit the sin again. This possibly the hardest step. However, until you stop committing the sin, you can't say that you have truly repented. How long does this take? That depends on the offense. Some sins take only a moment to repent. With others, you can spend years in the repentance process. ********************** "John Pacella: Who decides that the repentance process is over?" For the vast majority of sins, this is a matter between the sinner and God. However, if the person was excommunicated or disfellowshipped because of the sin, then he/she will also have to convince his/her ecclesiastical leaders that he/she has fully repented.

Repentance is not measured in time but effort. It may take different lengths of time for different people to change one's behavior. When you repent you are not changing one behavior but all disobedient behaviors which brings about a new life like being born again (think of James and John in the New Testament). We cannot achieve our worthiness by ourselves. No matter how hard we cry or mourn. There is a leap of faith that challenges us after confessing our sins. If we have suffieciently prepared and repented we will make it. And it will feel like comming up for air after being under water a long, long time. If you doubt whether or not you should confess your sins to your bishop or branch president, do it. don't be afraid, it's not about him, it's about you.

If you are joining for the first time, you will be accepted into the church whenever you're ready. If you've been disfellowshipped or excommunicated or are going through church discipline, you should ask your bishop that question.