Moroni 6:2-3

Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

The qualifications for baptism are a broken heart (godly sorrow), a contrite spirit (humility), repentance, taking the name of Christ (faith in Christ), and a willingness to serve (endure) to the end. These principles are the same through the ages because they are eternal. Only one way leads to salvation, and that is through Christ, his doctrine, his gospel, and his covenants, which we make through ordinances. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

3 Nephi 9:20

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

By offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we sacrifice our pride and our will. We give them to God. We burn them on the altar of repentance and covenants. We show the Lord that what he wants is more important to us than what we want. Our agency is the one possession that is truly ours, the one thing God will not take from us involuntarily, and therefore the one thing we can give him that is a genuine sacrifice.

Alma 34:31

Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

Repentance can immediately put the plan of salvation to work in our lives. God does not let us dangle helplessly over the pit of hell, hanging desperately by our fingernails for eons before he finally forgives us. He is a merciful, loving God who welcomes us back instantly when we genuinely humble ourselves and approach him with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

That does not mean, however, that we avoid all temporal consequences of our sins. Addiction still produces withdrawals. Damages still have to be repaid. Restitution is still required. Destroyed relationships may not be easily repaired. Trust may not be easily re-won. But eternal consequences have already been settled, and God's love is quick and sure. He never turns his back when we want to come to him. He never locks the door when we want to come home.

Alma 22:15-16

And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

The king offered half his kingdom in the last chapter to save his mortal life. He is willing now, however, to give up all his kingdom to save his immortal soul. It turns out, that is exactly the right price. If we want to know God, he asks that we be willing to give up everything worldly, freshly, and sinful, which are generally the things we like and make us comfortable. We have to trade in our worldly kingdoms of pride and vanity for his spiritual kingdom of love, mercy, and service. We have to love him more than we love ourselves. If we can do that, he will be our God. The cost of admission is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.