Desiring God’s mercy. Desire for God’s mercy comes from sincerity, borne of desperation:
And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (Alma 33:11)
Those who seek God’s mercy don’t merely ask for it—they cry for it. They do so as if their lives depend on it.
It was this sort of authentic desire for God’s mercy that caused two blind men to cry to Jesus: “Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.” (Matthew 9:27)
It was this sort of authentic desire for God’s mercy that one group had after they “viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth.” They understood the urgency and necessity of what they sought:
And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. (Mosiah 4:2)
Reasons for God’s mercy. God has provided many examples of the mercy he gave to people in the past. His past mercy for others gives us reasons to expect he will also be merciful with us under the same conditions:
3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them. 12 And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? (Alma 33)
I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things...that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. (Moroni 10:3)
And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people. (Alma 18:41)
Acting according to God’s mercy. The mercy of God is conditional. It comes to those who seek after and obey God:
...extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him. (Mosiah 29:20)
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him... (Psalm 103:17)
Behold, he offereth 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. (2 Nephi 2:7)
It is to those who seek after and obey God—and to those only—that his mercy comes:
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. (Alma 42)
If you have faith in God’s mercy, you will fulfill the conditions of obtaining it by forsaking all your sins and seeking God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. (Jacob 6:5)
Outcomes of God’s mercy. God’s mercy provides forgiveness of your sins, reveals the path to improvement, and provides reasons to believe you are capable of attaining it.