The Sweetness of Forgiveness

I am not perfect.  I don't know anyone who is.  We all make mistakes and struggle along this journey called life.  It would seem hopeless and pointless if we didn't have someone to help us along the way.  Someone to make it better; someone to pay the debt for what mistakes we have done.  Luckily, we do have that person and it is Jesus Christ.

LDS.org defines forgiveness: "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."

Forgiving others and receiving forgiveness.  Both can be difficult when we are lifted up in pride and cannot clearly see what God has in store for us.  I know that I've had many experiences where I found it hard to forgive someone because of hurt that they have caused me.  I felt very justified in my actions not to forgive because of the magnitude of the infraction against me.  I was hurt.  I was angry.  And as Alma the Younger says in the Book of Mormon, "my soul was racked with eternal torment."  Maybe that's being a little dramatic, but I think that is really what happens.  We have souls that don't have the hope of Christ when we choose not to grant forgiveness.

But what happens when we do forgive?  We taste the sweetness that is forgiveness.  Alma said it best - "Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God."  We are born again of God.  We get to use the gift that Christ gave us of the Atonement and become his sons and daughters.

The same happens when we ask for forgiveness from our God.  When we repent, we can see of God’s love.  We can feel the relief, the happiness, the joy that comes from only Him.  We use the Atonement as Christ intended it to be used. 

I love this quote from President James E. Faust when he talked about forgiveness and the power that comes from it.  He said, “Forgiveness comes more readily when we have faith in God and trust in His word. Such faith “enables people to withstand the worst of humanity. It also enables people to look beyond themselves. More importantly, it enables them to forgive.”

Let us all trust in God and the power of forgiveness.

Lessons from King Benjamin

I love the book of Mosiah!  I think all that King Benjamin has to say is wonderful and very applicable to our lives.  I find it amazing that this man who describes himself as weak, but he is lifted up in the strength of the Lord to give his address.  He asks everyone to gather to the temple with their families so that he could instruct them of the things that would be beneficial for them.  I just want to touch on a few of the lessons that I love from King Benjamin.

Lesson #1 - Service

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)  He speaks to the people about giving service to others and when they do that, they are really serving God.  It's amazing to learn this concept because of how it changes our view on service.  We are not alone on this trail of life.  There are people we will meet and only we can help.  Not only are we happy with service when we give it, but we are also helping God assist His children.

Lesson #2 - Blessings

"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should proper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.  And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.  And second, he doth require that ye should do as he hat commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you.  And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" (Mosiah 2:22-24)  I love these scriptures because of what they teach us about God.  God asks that we keep the commandments.  If we do what he says, we are blessed immediately.  We have no reason to boast of our own strength because all of our blessings come from God.  It's a cycle and we are definitely getting the better end of the deal.

Lesson #3 - Happiness

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold our faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)  The gospel of Jesus Christ is happiness.  We can have all the joy that we desire by following the things that God has commanded us.  And what is the result?  Never-ending happiness in the presence of our Lord and Savior.  That sounds like a lifetime of bliss to me.

Lesson #4 - Prophets

"And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them." (Mosiah 3:13)  I'm grateful that the Lord sends his prophets, even in these latter days, so that we may learn truths from them.  It's a constant reminder to me that no matter what, the Lord will have his gospel taught and that he loves his children.  A prophet is a physical testament of his love for us.

Lesson #5 - Salvation

"And moreover, I sat unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17)  I love the important part that Christ has in the plan of God.  This scripture clearly teaches us that the only way to obtain salvation is by making Christ central in our lives and following his doctrine.  By following the doctrine of Christ and submitting to his will, we can gain salvation.

Lesson #6 - The Natural Man

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)  It is hard to put off the natural man.  But, I love that it is possible with the help of God.  Not only do we learn that we need to become like little children in their way of thinking, but we need to make sure we are completing that role as children of God.  We need to be meek, submissive, and humble to our Heavenly Father.

I'm thankful for prophets and for the wonderful guidance that they give us.  The scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 comes to mind.  "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”  We have the chance to listen to prophets and apostles twice a year and how wonderful to be able to hear their voices and heed their counsel. 

The Doctrine of Christ

During my mission, my second mission president and his wife focused a lot of what we did on the Doctrine of Christ.  What is the Doctrine of Christ?  Let me refer to the 4th Article of Faith:

"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

I would like to add "Endure to the End" as the fifth part of the Doctrine of Christ.  

In 2 Nephi 31, we are able to learn all about the Doctrine of Christ.  In verse 2, Nephi tells us that he's going to speak about the Doctrine of Christ, but he will do so plainly.  The plainness of his language will help us understand more easily the things that we need to do.

Our first step - faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ - plays such an important role in the Doctrine of Christ.  As we have faith in God, it makes all the other steps fall into place.  If we don't have that faith in Him, why would we go on to be baptized and confirmed?  We wouldn't.  We have the faith that this is the way that leads back to Him.  This is the path that he showed us.  Faith is a word that entails action.  If we aren't acting on that faith we have, we will lose it.

The second step is repentance.  Why is repentance so important?  According to lds.org, "It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments."  Repentance is important because we are turning away from our sins to become better.  We draw closer to Christ as we repent and it prepares us for the blessings to come.

Third is the Doctrine of Christ is baptism.  In verse 5, it says, “And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!”  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was baptized.  The Lamb of God who was sinless and perfect was baptized.  He showed us what we need to be baptized to show our willingness to obey God and stand as His witness for our lives.  Being baptized requires that it is done so by one with the proper authority and priesthood given from God.

The fourth step is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Verse 13 expands on this more.  “Yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, an shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.”  The Holy Ghost witnesses to us of truth and things that are right.  We receive confirmations of things that are good and will bring us closer to Christ.  The Spirit guides, comforts, warns, and testifies.

Finally, enduring to the end is the last, but not easy step.  Verses 15 and 16 of this chapter tell us why we need to endure to the end.  “And I heard a voice from the Father saying:  Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful.  He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.  And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.”  If we are true and faithful to the covenants that we have made with the Father, he will grant us eternal life and we shall be saved.  What a wonderful gift for us to obtain.

The Doctrine of Christ is deliverance!

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:  Ye shall have eternal life.  And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.  And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.  Amen.” 

2 Nephi 31:20-21

The Atonement

I've been focusing on the Atonement this week in my scripture reading and study.  What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what does it mean for us?  Jesus's atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. In Gethsemane He submitted to the will of the Father and began to take upon Himself the sins of all people. He has revealed some of what He experienced as He paid the price for our sins.

The Atonement is more than just the crucifying of Christ.  Christ suffered for us that he might satisfy the demands of justice.  We receive mercy as a gift from this act.  We do not have to partake of the pains of sin if we repent.  In Alma 7:11-13, it reads:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all thing; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

We know that Christ didn't just suffer and atone for our sins.  He suffered for the pains and sadness that we experience.  The sorrows that will come to us in our lives.  Those hurt feelings we experience in our trials and challenges of life.  the Atonement of Jesus Christ encompasses all those feelings and pains that we experience, as well as sins.  As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, we don't focus on this part of the Atonement.  We revere and worship the living Christ, who was resurrected three days after He was killed.  

I know that Christ's Atonement is extremely important to our salvation.  I know that our Father in Heaven loved us so much that He sent His Son to redeem mankind through a selfless act of love.  I'm eternally thankful for this, so that I know there is always one person that knows exactly how I'm feeling when I'm suffering or sad.  I know Christ lives!  He is an active part of our lives, if we will but let him in.  I love the promises that the gospel brings.  The adherence of the gospel will bring about salvation.  It's so wonderful to know that this isn't out of our reach.  Even when we fall short, the Atonement provides us with a way to try again.  How grateful I am for this "good news" that the gospel is!

"To be saved—or to gain salvation—means to be saved from physical and spiritual death. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death. People may also be saved from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him." -Russell M. Nelson

Remember, Remember

1 Nephi 19:9 - 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 spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

Many times in the scriptures, we are told to remember.  We are told to remember commandments, words from the prophets, lessons learned, etc.  The thing that I love that we are reminded to remember is the Savior.  In the Book of Mormon, we see so many examples of the miracles and love that Jesus has for his children.  Just as Nephi wrote in 1 Nephi 19 – “And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer.”  The scriptures are written for our benefit, so that we may learn and know of our Savior – who atoned for us, giving us the ultimate gift.

It really is amazing to me that Jesus would continue to suffer for us.  I know that I’m not perfect – not even close – so it’s hard for me to comprehend the love that He has for us.  I believe that remembering Him is the least that we can do.

In the sacrament prayers, it talks about remembering Christ.  “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” (Moroni 4:3)  “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” (Moroni 5:2)

When we partake of the sacrament, we are renewing those covenants and promises that we made with God.  Part of that is to remember Christ and stand as a witness of Him.  What are we doing in our lives to continually remember Jesus and stand as His witness?  How are we examples of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  How do we show others that we are witnesses of Him?  How do we remember our Savior?

I have a testimony that when we remember Jesus and stand as His witness that we will, as the scriptures say, have his spirit to be with us.  We will receive blessings that can come in no other way.  We will have boldness and power that comes only through His representation.  I know Christ loves me and each person who ever lived, lives, and whoever will live on this earth.  I know He suffered for each of our sins, sorrows, pains, and afflictions.  He did this because of the indescribable love that He has for each of us.  I’m grateful for the gospel in my life that helps me to remember.

"The time is here for you to stand up for what you know is right. You must judge right from wrong. No longer can you be complacent or go with the flow or wonder what to do. You must decide now which path you will follow and which answer you will give. Decide well in advance, before the pressure is on, what you stand for." -Margaret D. Nadauld

Tender Mercies and Miracles

1 Nephi 1:20 - "And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away.  But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty, even unto the power of deliverance."

For me, the phrase "tender mercy" is synonymous with the word "miracle".  How many times in our lives do we find that things 'just worked out' or were 'coincidences'.  I don't believe in coincidences.  I believe in the hand of the Lord, leading us in our lives.

So many times in the Book of Mormon, we've seen the miracles that God has worked.  At the end of verse twenty, we see the word deliverance.  That is the main message and theme of the Book of Mormon.  Deliverance through the mercies and miracles of God.  The Lord blesses the faithful and obedient.

The Bible Dictionary tells us that miracles teach divine truths.  What things am I learning from the miracles and mercies that God is giving to me?  Am I using these experiences to teach my family?  Am I using them to build my testimony of my Heavenly Father?  Am I recording these experiences so that I may call upon them at a later date?

He is the Master and Teacher.  He is our Friend and Deliverer.  The Lord provides us with so many tender mercies, especially during our times of need.  It's often looking back that we see the exact moments where a big one came.  I have been trying to see God's hand in my life each and every day.  I truly want to see the miracles he performs in my life.  I challenge you do to the same.  I know the Lord is mindful of us.  


What experiences have you had with seeing tender mercies and miracles in your life?

"I delight in the Lord's mercies and miracles.  I know that His tender mercies and His miracles, large and small, are real.  They come in His way and on His timetable.  Sometimes it is not until we have reached our extremity.  Jesus's disciples on the Sea of Galilee had to toil in rowing against a contrary wind all through the night before Jesus finally came to their aid.  He did not come until the "fourth watch," meaning near dawn.  Yet He did come.  My testimony is that miracles do come, though sometimes not until the fourth watch." -Susan W. Tanner