Forgiveness

I talked in a post earlier about true repentance.  Repentance is to change, and to become better, but if it were not for the heavenly virtue of forgiveness, repentance would mean nothing.  Forgiveness is real, and it is free to all who willingly ask for it.  The Lord has said "Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me." (Mosiah 26:30).  This, I absolutely know to be true.  If you repent and simply just ask,  the Lord will forgive, because he wants to forgive.

Forgiveness is incredible, and it is truly a miracle. If it wasn't for the Savior's ability and willingness to forgive then all hope would be lost.  But the Savior does love each and every one of us, and because of that he truly does want to forgive all of our trespasses against him.  It doesn't matter how many times we mess up or make a mistake, if we simply do what the savior asks of us, and go to God in prayer, we can obtain forgiveness.  The Savior forgives so freely based on our desires to change and become better.  I just love it, and I love that Christ loves us enough to forgive us, always.

Forgiveness is truly a Christlike attribute, and it would do us well to follow in that example that Christ has set.  The Lord has said "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (D+C 64:10).  We have been commanded to forgive all men.  This is such an important commandment because the Lord has also said "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt. 5:7).  The gift of mercy is free to all, but it is important to treat others the way we want to be treated.  When we extend the hand of mercy, then we are given that same hand in return.  We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23),  that is why we need mercy, and that is exactly why we should extend mercy as well.  For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged (Matt. 7:2).  Forgiveness is real, and it is wonderful.  We need to learn to let people repent.  We need to learn to let things go.  We need to learn to forgive, when someone asks us for forgiveness.

"For behold, are we not all beggars?... And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins.  And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay;  he has poured out his spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy." (Mosiah 4:19-20).  The Lord will truly forgive each and every one of us.  Let us follow in that example.  This world will be a better place.  We can make a change in this world.  There will be greater joy in the family, and greater love in the home, when we truly learn to forgive.  It truly is a miracle, but we can make that miracle happen each and every day, if we let it.  Have a wonderful day!