Forgiveness

“As you pray for forgiveness, you will find yourself forgiving others. As you thank God for His kindness, you will think of others, by name, who need your kindness. Again, that experience will surprise you every day, and over time it will change you.”

                ~Elder Henry B. Eyring “The Priesthood Man” April 2014 General Conference, lds.org.

“The grace of Christ is real, affording both forgiveness and cleansing to the repentant sinner.”

~Elder D. Todd Christofferson “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ”, April 2014 General Conference, lds.org.

“Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.”

                ~Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf “The Merciful Obtain Mercy” April 2012 General Conference, lds.org.

“If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.”

                ~Marvin J. Ashton”The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword” April 1992 General Conference, lds.org.

                                               

“As Alexander Pope wrote, ‘To err is human; to forgive, divine’.”

~President Thomas S. Monson, quoting Alexander Pope “An Essay on Criticism” (1711), part 2, line 525.

“Where do hidden wedges originate? Some come from unresolved disputes which lead to ill feelings, followed by remorse and regret. Others find their beginnings in disappointments, jealousies, arguments, and imagined hurts. We must solve them—lay them to rest and not leave them to canker, fester, and ultimately destroy.”

~President Thomas S. Monson “The Peril of Hidden Wedges” July 2007 Ensign, lds.org

“Let us be kind.

Let us forgive.

Let the love of God fill our hearts.

Let us do good unto all men. The Savior promised: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. … For with the same measure that [you use] it shall be measured to you again.” Shouldn’t this promise be enough to always focus our efforts on acts of kindness, forgiveness, and charity instead of on any negative behavior?”

                ~Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf “The Merciful Obtain Mercy” April 2012 General Conference, lds.org.

“May we ever be exemplary in our homes and faithful in keeping all of the commandments that we may harbor no hidden wedges but rather remember the Savior’s admonition: ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’.”

                ~President Thomas S. Monson “The Peril of Hidden Wedges” July 2007 Ensign, lds.org

“The fruit of true repentance is forgiveness, which opens the door to receive all of the covenants and ordinances provided on this earth and to enjoy the resulting blessings.”

                ~Elder Richard G. Scott “Finding Forgiveness” April 1995 General Conference, lds.org.

“Full obedience brings the complete power of the gospel into your life with strength to focus on the abandonment of specific sins. It includes things you might not initially consider part of repentance, such as attending meetings, paying tithing, giving service, and forgiving others. The Lord said: ‘He that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.’”

                ~Elder Richard G. Scott “Finding Forgiveness” April 1995 General Conference, lds.org.

|My feelings|

There are times it is hard to let go of past hurts but these quotes not only give me hope of being able to heal old wounds but also hands me the tools to make it happen. I love the quote from Elder Eyring. If I am doing what I need to and am asking for forgiveness from a loving Heavenly Father, I will find it easier to forgive myself and others. Satan wants to drive wedges, especially in families. If we can overcome this and give others a little more grace, we would be doing well. I loved a comment I once heard from a woman who had been married for 50 years. She said her and her husband lived by this motto: If I am hurt or angered by something you said then I have misunderstood you, for I know you would never do anything to hurt me intentionally.