24 And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works.
(Helaman 12:24)
After lamenting the pride and stubbornness which comes so easily to us, Mormon expresses his deep desire that all people will repent. Through repentance, we overcome our bad habits and foolish decisions and begin to perform good works. That process of repenting and beginning to do good unlocks the power of God in our lives which helps us to overcome the “natural man” and become saints through the atonement of Jesus Christ. (See Mosiah 3:19.)
The Bible Dictionary tells us that grace enables individuals to “receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (Bible Dictionary, “Grace“).