Can I Be Forgiven?
Have you ever wondered if God will forgive you of your sins? I have. I’ve made many mistakes—some small, others significant enough to take months or even years to overcome. If you’re like me, you may sometimes wonder how forgiveness is even possible.
At times, my spiritual progress feels slow. I imagine Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ growing weary of my repeated shortcomings. How could they love someone who fails daily? But I often forget—they are merciful beings whose purpose is to bring imperfect people back to them.
Understanding Mercy Through Christ
“Mercy is the compassionate treatment of someone beyond what they deserve. It is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” 1
Perhaps this is why many of us struggle to feel worthy of forgiveness. We don’t feel deserving. Yet, because of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we are offered mercy.
Alma’s Story: A Personal Witness of Mercy
In the Book of Mormon, Alma teaches his son Corianton about God’s merciful plan after Corianton had committed a serious sin:
“And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.” (Alma 42:15)
Alma knew this mercy firsthand. He recounted his own conversion to his son Helaman:
“Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me… And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.” (Alma 36:18–19)
Through sincere repentance, Alma accessed divine mercy—and so can we.
Christ’s Willingness to Forgive
The mercy we receive from Christ is remarkable. Despite all we do to make up for our mistakes, His mercy exceeds what we deserve. When we truly repent, the joy of His mercy can outweigh the burden of our sins.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “God’s mercy is the only source of the ultimate and eternal joy, which restores every loss, dries every tear, and erases every pain.” 2
Christ is not reluctant to forgive—He is eager. In Doctrine and Covenants 64, He declares:
“There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this once, for mine own glory, and for the salvation of souls, I have forgiven you your sins… I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom… I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness.” (D&C 64:3–7)
Joseph Smith’s Plea for Mercy
Joseph Smith experienced this mercy during the First Vision. He wrote:
“I cried unto the Lord for mercy… and the Lord heard my cry… I saw the Lord. And he spake unto me, saying, ‘Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee… I was crucified for the world, that all those who believe on my name may have eternal life.’” 3
Joseph sought mercy—and the heavens opened. We too can receive clarity and revelation when we turn to God in humility.
Mercy in Our Daily Lives
We need mercy not only for sins but in everyday life. Poor decisions and weaknesses can limit our access to divine help. Yet, in their mercy, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ offer us blessings we could never earn on our own.
“We are recipients of divine mercy when Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, when we receive guidance from the Holy Ghost, and when we are healed from sickness through priesthood power… They are merciful gifts from a loving and compassionate Father.” 4
I Stand All Amazed
If blessings and salvation were based solely on our works, we would have no hope. But because of mercy, we are invited to return—even when we fall short.
I believe Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to come to them. In my own life, I’ve felt comfort, strength, and blessings even in my imperfect state—because mercy was extended to me.
I love the lyrics to the hymn I Stand All Amazed:
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. 5
I’m grateful for the role Christ plays in helping me receive mercy from a loving Heavenly Father. I know They love each of us and will do all They can to bring us home.
References
- Gospel Topics, “Mercy,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/mercy?lang=eng ↩︎
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Joy and Mercy,” October 1991, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1991/10/joy-and-mercy?lang=eng ↩︎
- Joseph Smith Account of the First Vision Circa 1832, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/first-vision-accounts/1832-account?lang=eng ↩︎
- Gospel Topics, “Mercy,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/mercy?lang=eng ↩︎
- Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/i-stand-all-amazed?lang=eng ↩︎