From the book ‘The Divine Gift of Forgiveness’ by Neil L. Andersen:
President Ezra Taft Benson wrote: “It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who find remorse for things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or their loves ones sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is a sharp and deep awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, he who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). Such a spirit is an absolute prerequisite for true repentance.” 9
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.
Remember to have a broken heart is to be humble, repentant, and meek, eagerly receptive to the will of God.10 A contrite spirit puts one’s own interests in the hands of God, believing that His will, not our own, will help us become who we should become. The Savior is our exemplar. Even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, . . . the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.”11 Godly sorrow begins with recognizing wrong in our lives. As the prodigal son who “came to himself,”12 our souls fill with sadness and remorse as we remove any denial or excuse, and without hypocrisy desire to make our way toward repentance and forgiveness. ~Neil L. Anderson The Divine Gift of Forgiveness (Deseret Book Company 2019) 153
9. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 82-83
10. See Guide to the Scriptures.
