"There are three beloved friends that help bring about the prerequisites and indispensable circumstances that are preparatory conditions of repentance...a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and godly sorrow." p. 149
A BROKEN HEART, A CONTRITE SPIRIT
"The Lord has told us that if we will come forward with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He will not just repair our heart and cleanse our spirit: He will give us a new heart." p. 151
"These beloved friends, a broken heart and a contrite spirit, are not one-time visitors, but continual friends during our mortal experience, providing eternal gratitude to our Savior for liberating us from the bonds of sin and death." p. 151
GODLY SORROW
"Realizing our total dependence upon our Savior, and knowing that our personal sins added to His suffering and pain, brings a deep and earnest sorrow." p. 152
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God." p. 153
"The three friends -- a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and godly sorrow -- together wrap their arms around us and lead us toward repentance and forgiveness." p. 153
"Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment." p. 154
A NEW CONVERT
"The Lord not only lifted the sin from her; He strengthened and refined her spirit." p. 156
"What is godly sorrow? ... you will know when it happens. You will feel it in yourself, and you will be different than you were before." p. 157
A YOUNG WOMAN PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE
LANCE
Lance's journey toward forgiveness started about 3 months ago. He has learned a lot about himself and about his relationship with the Godhead and with others. He visits with Bishop Jones about once every 3-4 weeks, he strives to be in the temple once per week and is still trying to have a once per week 1/2-hour prayer while he's there. Lance continues to date Hailey. They've seen each other just about every day for the last 5 weeks. Lance is happier than he's ever been. Things are good.
The other day, Lance was walking across campus. He was on his way from institute to his biology class. He was thinking about his heart, his spirit and about sorrow. As much as he loved his mission, he sometimes felt like his whole heart wasn't in the work. It was close, but he still left the mission thinking, "maybe I didn't quite 'get' it". Upon coming home, some his old habits from when he was teenager came back and Lance kind of just felt like he had failed. He thought often: "If my heart and spirit had really come to Jesus on my mission, I wouldn't have made the same mistakes again and again after I arrived home." But, now as Lance walked, he felt differently. He could feel the Holy Ghost let him know that he was on the right track. Lance still knew he struggled, but he also knew who to go to when he needed help.
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