Forgiveness

This week I chose to write on the principle of forgiveness. The scriptures I studied were 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Matthew 6:14-15; Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10.

In Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians he taught them, "if any caused grief" he ought to be forgiven and comforted to avoid sorrow (v. 5,7).  Verse eight goes on to state, "Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him". Here Paul stresses the importance of wholeheartedly forgiving those who have caused us grief or pain. Along with just forgiving the saints are also admonished to love, support and comfort those who have transgressed. “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42). If the Lord can forgive and forget then we too, should do the same.

When we forgive others the Lord blesses us. Matt 6:14 says, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you". LDS.org website shares, "To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. The scriptures refer to forgiveness in two ways. The Lord commands us to repent of our sins and seek His forgiveness. He also commands us to forgive those who offend or hurt us." (1). As we righteously live this divine attribute and act in accordance to commandments and uphold sacred covenants the Lord will pour out his blessings of love and forgiveness upon us.

However failing to forgive can result in dangerous transgression. Matt 6:15 states, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses". This scripture teaching the plain and simple truth that if we wish to be forgiven, we must forgive. “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin" (D&C 64:9). In June, 1991, President Gordon B. Hinkley shared a talk entitiled "Of You It Is Required to Forgive". In this talk he shares, "How much we need application of this God-given principle and its companion principle, repentance! We see the need for it in the homes of the people, where tiny molehills of misunderstanding are fanned into mountains of argument. We see it among neighbors, where insignificant differences lead to undying bitterness. We see it in business associates who quarrel and refuse to compromise and forgive when, in most instances, if there were a willingness to sit down together and speak quietly one to another, the matter could be resolved to the blessing of all. Rather, they spend their days nurturing grudges and planning retribution" (2).

(1) https://www.lds.org/topics/forgiveness?lang=eng
(2) https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/06/of-you-it-is-required-to-forgive?lang=eng