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On one occasion, Peter came to the Savior with what he thought was a generous question: “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).

Seven was often associated with completeness in Jewish tradition, and Peter likely thought he was being remarkably gracious. But the Savior’s response was far beyond anything Peter anticipated.

“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

— Matthew 18:22

“Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continuous process that requires patience, compassion, and understanding.”

— President Russell M. Nelson, World Forgiveness Day post, July 7, 2023

1. Not a Number — A Metaphor

Elder Lynn G. Robbins, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, addressed this teaching directly in his April 2018 General Conference address, “Until Seventy Times Seven.”

He taught that the Savior was not establishing a literal upper limit of 490 times. To show the absurdity of treating it as a number, he explained:

“That would be analogous to saying that partaking of the sacrament has a limit of 490, and then on the 491st time, a heavenly auditor intercedes and says, ‘I’m so sorry, but your repentance card just expired — from this point forward, you’re on your own.’”

— Elder Lynn G. Robbins

The Savior was not counting. He was teaching the opposite of counting. He was telling Peter — and all of us — to not even establish limits on forgiveness. The math of seventy times seven is a metaphor of His infinite Atonement, His boundless love, and His limitless grace.

“Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”

— Mosiah 26:30

2. Repentance Is God’s Plan — Not a Backup

Elder Robbins taught something deeply reassuring:

“Repentance is God’s ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will.”

Mistakes are a fact of life. Learning to play the piano or speak a foreign language takes thousands of mistakes, and even the world’s greatest athletes never stop making them. In the same way, becoming like the Savior will require countless second chances. The path of discipleship is not one of perfect first attempts. It is one of getting up again, and again, and again.

One reason the Lord allows us to stumble is that “these things shall give [us] experience, and shall be for [our] good” (D&C 122:7). Failure, when met with real repentance, becomes a stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block.

3. Real Intent — Not a License to Sin

Elder Robbins was also clear that seventy times seven does not become a license to sin carelessly. The Book of Mormon specifies the condition:

The Book of Mormon puts it this way:

“But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.”

Moroni 6:8

Real intent implies real effort and real change. The Guide to the Scriptures defines repentance as “a change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general.” That kind of change results in spiritual growth — not simply going from failure to failure, but growing from failure to failure.

“Things that don’t change remain the same. And when we are through changing — we’re through.”

— President Boyd K. Packer, as quoted by Elder Robbins 

4. Forgiving Others — The Same Principle

The command to forgive seventy times seven applies not only to God’s forgiveness of us — it applies equally to how we forgive one another. The late President Russell M. Nelson pleaded with Latter-day Saints, and with the world, to embrace this principle personally.

On World Forgiveness Day, July 7, 2023, President Nelson invited all “to remember the principle of seventy times seven and extend forgiveness to someone who has wronged you.” He promised that Jesus Christ would relieve those who forgive of anger, resentment, and pain — and that “the Prince of Peace will bring you peace.”

In a Palm Sunday video message on April 2, 2023, he was direct about how hard this is:

“There is nothing easy about forgiving those who have disappointed us, hurt us, cheated us, or spread false rumors about us. However, not forgiving others is poison for us. Grudges weigh us down. Angry disagreements separate us. Animosity and hatred can divide families.”

And in his April 2022 General Conference address, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” he offered a promise to anyone for whom forgiveness feels out of reach:

“If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise a personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.”

— — President Russell M. Nelson, April 2022 General Conference

5. The Sacrament — Our Weekly Access to Forgiveness

Elder Robbins taught that the sacrament is “the Lord’s designated way of providing continual access to His forgiveness.” If we partake with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He offers us weekly pardon as we progress along the covenant path. The Lord’s compassion does not expire:

“Notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them.”

— Doctrine and Covenants 101:9

And in our weakness, the Savior’s grace does not abandon us. He reassures:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

We are not expected to be perfect before we come to Him — only sincere.

Conclusion: Keep Getting Up

Seventy times seven is not a ceiling. It is an invitation. It is the Savior’s way of saying — do not count, do not limit, do not give up. Not on yourself, and not on others.

Elder Robbins closed his address with these words of deep gratitude:

“I am eternally grateful for the loving-kindness, patience, and long-suffering of Heavenly Parents and the Savior, who allow us countless second chances on our journey back to Their presence.”

The Savior paid an infinite price so that we — flawed, failing, trying again — would always have another chance. That is the meaning of seventy times seven. And that is the miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

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