Second, repentance means striving to change. It would mock the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross for us to expect that He should transform us into angelic beings with no real effort on our part. Rather, we seek His grace to complement and reward our most diligent efforts (see 2 Nephi 25:23). Perhaps as much as praying for mercy, we should pray for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome. Surely the Lord smiles upon one who desires to come to judgment worthily, who resolutely labors day by day to replace weakness with strength. Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving. Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul, for indeed “virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; [and] mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own” (D&C 88:40).
-Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance," October 2011 General Conference

“We know that justification [or forgiveness of sins] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;

“And we know also, that sanctification [or purification from the effects of sin] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength” (D&C 20:30–31).

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance," October 2011 General Conference

It was understood from the beginning that in mortality we would fall short of being perfect. It was not expected that we would live without transgressing one law or another.”
... 
A Mediator, a Redeemer, was chosen, one who would live His life perfectly, commit no sin, and offer “himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.”4
-President Boyd K. Packer, “The Atonement,” October 2012 General Conference

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, referring to President Spencer W. Kimball’s explanation, “The repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change” (The Lord’s Way [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1991], 223; emphasis in original).
-Brad Wilcox, "His Grace is Sufficient," BYU Devotional, July 12, 2011 http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1966&tid=7

Elder Bruce C. Hafen has written, “The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must ‘repay’ him in exchange for his paying our debt to justice, but because repentance initiates a developmental process that, with the Savior’s help, leads us along the path to a saintly character” (The Broken Heart [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989], 149; emphasis in original).
-Brad Wilcox, "His Grace is Sufficient," BYU Devotional, July 12, 2011

But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. ⁴ Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness.
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," October 2008 General Conference

“This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.”⁶

Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions," October 2012 General Conference

The constancy of her daily life is teaching him the way of truth and light.
-Elder Bruce C. Hafen, "Your Longing for Family Joy," Ensign, October 2003

We give our lives, even an hour at a time, for what we believe, what we value, and whom we love. 
-Elder Bruce C. Hafen, "Your Longing for Family Joy, " Ensign, October 2003

Family life is by its nature a continual struggle between the ideal and the real. But if your home often knows warm feelings of love and laughter, if your family is trying—even most of the time—to have family prayer, home evening, and honestly shared gospel experiences, you are learning the pattern for happiness.
-Elder Bruce C. Hafen, "Your Longing for Family Joy," Ensign, October 2003

Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.
-President Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” October 2008 General Conference

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.
-President Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” October 2008 General Conference

And finally, in all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
-President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stand True and Faithful,” April 1996 General Conference

If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. 
^{-Personal correspondence quoted by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because She is a Mother," April 1997 General Conference}

Most of us have had some experience with self-improvement efforts. My experience has taught me this about how people and organizations improve: the best place to look is for small changes we could make in things we do often. There is power in steadiness and repetition. And if we can be led by inspiration to choose the right small things to change, consistent obedience will bring great improvement.
-Elder Henry B. Eyring, “The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [an evening with Elder Henry B. Eyring, Feb. 6, 1998], 3