As used in the scriptures, to forgive generally means one of two things: When God forgives men, he cancels or sets aside a required punishment for sin. Through the atonement of Christ, forgiveness of sins is available to all who repent, except those guilty of murder or the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. As people forgive each other, they treat one another with Christlike love and have no bad feelings toward those who have offended them (Matt. 5: 43-45; 6: 12-15; Luke 17: 3-4; 1 Ne. 7: 19-21).

The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, Num. 14: 18. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, Isa. 1: 18. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, Matt. 6: 12 (Luke 11: 4; 3 Ne. 13: 11). The Son of man has power to forgive sins, Matt. 9: 6 (Matt. 18: 35; Mark 2: 10; Luke 5: 20-24). How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Matt. 18: 21-22 (D&C 98: 40). He that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, Mark 3: 29 (Alma 39: 6). If thy brother trespass against thee and repent, forgive him, Luke 17: 3. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, Luke 23: 34. Pray for forgiveness, 1 Ne. 7: 21. Apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, Mosiah 4: 2. If he confess his sins before thee and me, and repent, him shall ye forgive, Mosiah 26: 29-31. He that repents and does the commandments shall be forgiven, D&C 1: 32. Thrust in your sickle, and your sins are forgiven, D&C 31: 5 (D&C 84: 61). He who has repented of his sins is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more, D&C 58: 42. I will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men, D&C 64: 10. Inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you, D&C 82: 1. Whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, D&C 95: 1. I have forgiven thee thy transgression, Moses 6: 53.