"Because we have all “sinned, and come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23] and because “there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God”[1 Nephi 15:34], every one of us is unworthy to return to God’s presence.
"Even if we were to serve God with our whole souls, it is not enough, for we would still be “unprofitable servants” [Mosiah 2:21]. We cannot earn our way into heaven; the demands of justice stand as a barrier, which we are powerless to overcome on our own."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 108)
"Because of “the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice,” Jesus Christ can satisfy or “answer the ends of the law” on our behalf. Pardon comes by the grace of Him who has satisfied the demands of justice by His own suffering. … He removes our condemnation without removing the law. We are pardoned and placed in a condition of righteousness with Him. We become, like Him, without sin. We are sustained and protected by the law, by justice. We are, in a word, justified.
"Thus, we may appropriately speak of one who is justified as pardoned, without sin, or guiltless."
(D. Todd Christofferson, “Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, June 2001, 20)
"Our Heavenly Father knew before we came to this mortal existence that negative forces would tempt us to drift from our course, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” [ Romans 3:23 ]. That is why He prepared a way for us to make corrections. Through the merciful process of true repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we will “not perish, but have everlasting life” [ John 3:16 ]."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Matter of a Few Degrees,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 60)
"The Savior’s infinite Atonement completely changes the way we may view our transgressions and imperfections. Instead of dwelling on them and feeling irredeemable or hopeless, we can learn from them and feel hopeful. The cleansing gift of repentance allows us to leave our sins behind and emerge a new creature.
"Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. They can refine us."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8–9)