Suppose you are doing the "best you can do." Does God make up the rest? We always say that "nobody is perfect." If we have repented and stopped most of our lying, coveting and stealing, is it good enough to get us by? Is it a gradual process of repentance and gradually forsaking sin? If we are looking to our goodness, how good is good enough? If you are married, you try to overlook some of your partners faults. Does God do the same for us?
D&C 1:31 says, "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;" This verse tells us how much sin God overlooks. Helaman 4:24 say, "...the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples." Many people describe repentance as a gradual process. But D&C 58:43 says, "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them." Alma 11:37 is a strong verse: "And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins."
The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants do not describe a gradual process of repentance or of doing the "best you can." These scriptures do not speak about us doing a portion and God coming along to make up the rest. Repentance is tied to forsaking sin. Forsaking sin is tied to being saved. In spite of what people say and think, it is clear what these scriptures say about repentance and salvation. If we are looking to our works and the law, it is clear what the expectation is - perfection.
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