Doctrine and Covenants 20 teaches us about the relationship between grace and agency. Jesus Christ suffered so that we could be saved. We can choose to accept that gift (justification) and retain it over time (sanctification). Baptism enables us to accept it. The sacrament helps us retain it.
Feeling Condemned
Joseph Smith prayed because he felt inadequate to his divine calling. Nephi offered a similar prayer, detecting a contrast between his behavior and the miracles he had seen. Feelings of inadequacy can be helpful if they turn us toward the Source of grace.
How the Savior Succors Us
The author of Hebrews and Alma both emphasized that Jesus lived as a normal human, subject to all of our afflictions and temptations so that He would know how to succor us. To "succor" is to run to help someone in distress.
Unprofitable
We can never pay God back for what He has done for us and is doing for us. This may seem discouraging, but it is actually liberating and ennobling. If we let go of the illusion of control, we can grow and progress in an environment of His sustaining grace
Highly Favoured
Gabriel told Mary she was "highly favoured." Nephi recognized that he had been "highly favored" as he looked back on his life. That sense of receiving God's enabling power can sustain us through the difficulties and discouragements of life.
Grace Be to You
The greatest blessing we can wish for another person is God's grace. Paul begins and ends his epistles with some variation of the phrase, "Grace be to you." Mormon and Moroni also use this phrase. We can also pray for others to receive God's grace.
Sufficient and Abounding Grace
God's grace is sufficient to meet our needs. We can be settled and stable knowing this. His grace also abounds toward us. For what purpose? So that we can in turn abound in good works, sharing that grace with other people.
By the Grace of God
Paul gave credit to God for every good thing he had accomplished or become. Benjamin, Alma, and Mormon likewise expressed gratitude for God's grace. We must not deny nor forget the power by which we are supported, delivered, and sanctified
Only by His Grace
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul testifies that we are justified only by God's grace. Lehi, Jacob, and Nephi taught the same principle. When we recognize that we need Him, we will seek to align ourselves with Him, so that we can receive His power.
The Acceptable Year of the Lord
David pleaded with God to save him "in an acceptable time." Paul and Amulek both testified that the acceptable time is now. Part of the Savior's mission was to proclaim that grace is available to us immediately if we are willing to receive it.