Those who truly desire repentance, willingly turn to the Lord, and forsake their sins find that the Savior immediately effects the plan of redemption in their behalf. A person might expect that it would necessitate years of repentance and sorrow to eradicate years of unrepented sin, but such is not the case. Great changes can be effected immediately through deep, heartfelt repentance (see Alma 15:3–11, 22:1–23, 36:11–20).
True repentance brings complete forgiveness. President Harold B. Lee stated:
“If the time comes when you have done all that you can to repent of your sins, whoever you are, wherever you are, and have made amends and restitution to the best of your ability; if it be something that will affect your standing in the Church and you have gone to the proper authorities, then you will want that confirming answer as to whether or not the Lord has accepted of you. In your soul-searching, if you seek for and you find that peace of conscience, by that token you may know that the Lord has accepted of your repentance. Satan would have you think otherwise and sometimes persuade you that now having made one mistake, you might go on and on with no turning back. That is one of the great falsehoods. The miracle of forgiveness is available to all of those who turn from their evil doings and return no more”
(Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 185).