1 Nephi 19:9
Forgiveness
Heals
What
9 And
the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing
of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they
smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they aspit upon
him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving bkindness and
his clong-suffering towards
the children of men.
Why
The
world was so wicked that they didn't recognize that Jesus was the
holy son of God. So they followed Satan and tried to destroy Jesus
by torturing him even to death. He was kind and patient even with
their evil ways causing him great pain.
Pattern
Isa.
50:6 (5–6)
5
¶The Lord God hath opened mine ear,
and I was not rebellious,
neither turned away back.
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Matt.
7:12
12
Therefore all things whatsoeverye
would that men should do to
you, do ye
even so to them: for this is
the law and
the prophets.
Matt.
7:12
12
Therefore all things whatsoeverye
would that men should do to
you, do ye
even so to them: for this is the law and
the prophets.
2 Cor.
6:6
Eph.
4:2
1 Pet.
3:9
9
Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
D&C
31:9
9
Be patient in afflictions, revilenot
against those that revile. Govern your house in
meekness, and be steadfast.
Christ
Nahum
1:3
3
The Lord is slow
to anger,
and great in power, and will not at all
acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his
way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the
dust of his feet.
Jesus
is the perfect of kindness and longsuffering.
When
we suffer, then we can know Him better for He suffered the most of
any mortal.
Conference
4/16
Kevin R. Duncan
The
Healing Ointment of Forgiveness
Gratefully,
God, in His love and mercy for His children, has prepared a way to
help us navigate these sometimes turbulent experiences of life. He
has provided an escape for all who fall victim to the misdeeds of
others. He has taught us that we can forgive! Even though we may be a
victim once, we need not be a victim twice by carrying the burden of
hate, bitterness, pain, resentment, or even revenge. We can forgive,
and we can be free!
Many
years ago, while I was mending a fence, a small sliver of wood
entered into my finger. I made a meager attempt to remove the sliver
and thought I had done so, but apparently I had not. As time went on,
skin grew over the sliver, creating a lump on my finger. It was
annoying and sometimes painful.
Years
later I decided to finally take action. All I did was simply apply
ointment to the lump and cover it with a bandage. I repeated this
process frequently. You cannot imagine my surprise when one day, as I
removed the bandage, the sliver had emerged from my finger.
The
ointment had softened the skin and created an escape for the very
thing that had caused pain for so many years. Once the sliver was
removed, the finger quickly healed, and to this day, there remains no
evidence of any injury.
In
a similar way, an unforgiving heart harbors so much needless pain.
When we apply the healing ointment of the Savior’s Atonement, He
will soften our heart and help us to change. He canheal the
wounded soul (see Jacob
2:8).
In
a similar way, an unforgiving heart harbors so much needless pain.
When we apply the healing ointment of the Savior’s Atonement, He
will soften our heart and help us to change. He canheal the
wounded soul (see Jacob
2:8).
I
am convinced that most of us want to forgive, but we find it very
hard to do. When we have experienced an injustice, we may be quick to
say, “That person did wrong. They deserve punishment. Where is the
justice?” We mistakenly think that if we
forgive, somehow justice will not be served and punishments will be
avoided.
This
simply is not the case. God will mete out a punishment that is fair,
for mercy cannot rob justice (see Alma
42:25).
God lovingly assures you and me: “Leave judgment alone with me, for
it is mine and I will repay. [But let] peace be with you” (D&C
82:23).
The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob also promised that God “will
console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and
send down justice upon those who seek your destruction” (Jacob
3:1).
As
victims, if we are faithful, we
can take great comfort in knowing that God will compensate us for
every injustice we experience. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated:
“The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. … Every tear
today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of
rejoicing and gratitude.”1
As
we strive to forgive others, let us also try to remember that we are
all growing spiritually, but we are all at different levels. While it
is easy to observe the changes and growth in the physical body, it is
difficult to see the growth in our spirits.
One
key to forgiving others is to try to see them as God sees them. At
times, God may part the curtain and bless us with the gift to see
into the heart, soul, and spirit of another person who has offended
us. This insight may even lead to an overwhelming love for that
person.
Apply
Jesus atoned not only for the sinner but for the victim.
The
Savior taught us to be kind and longsuffering. It is this attitude that will help us heal from sins committed against us.
Forgiveness
takes time if it is a serious offense. But God will help us if we
trust in Him fully. The Savior is our example and He loves all of us.
Only He can take the pain away from people who are betrayed and
victimized. Do not allow yourself to be a victim of abuse but turn to the Lord and His servants for help. Allowing that, would not be forgiving and not the kind of longsuffering you should do. The Savior has already done that for us. Trust in Him.
With little
petty things it is best to just quickly to let it go and forget about it.
Any time we harbor ill feelings we hurt ourselves most.
Hymns
220-Lord,
I Would Follow Thee
140-Did
You Think To Pray?
24 Therefore
I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when
ye apray, bbelieve that
ye receive them,and
ye shall have them.
25 And
when ye stand apraying,
forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is
in heaven may bforgive you
your trespasses.
Children
99-Help
Me Dear Father
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