Feeling Forgiven

As a Mormon missionary quite frequently I come a crossed individuals who are struggling to forgive or be forgiven. In our day the Lord has admonished us, "Ye ought to forgive one another," and then adds "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. (D&C 64:9,10)

"forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves." (see reference 1 below)

The recurring problem I see is not forgiving yourself for the wrongs you've committed.



Move past the past!

What one has done in the past may effect their spirituality in the present. People are so caught up on past sin's, transgressions or wrong doings. This hinders all chance of prepossessing spirituality. Fix your mistakes! Repent! If necessary talk to your bishop. Move past the past. It's over. It's done with. Look to the future. Ask, what can I do now?  Elder Crieg A. Cardon, Of the Seventy, in a talk titled "The Savior Wants to Forgive" explains,

"The Lord looks upon the light we have received, the desires of our hearts, and our actions, and when we repent we repent and seek forgiveness. He forgives. As we consider our own lives and the lives of our loved ones and acquaintances, we should be equally willing to forgive ourselves and others"

What needs to be healed is the sorrow and hurt. Some people say "forget the past." You can never whip your memory of the past. However, we can "forget" sorrow. Sorrow can be removed. Sorrow can be washed away, but only through the Atonement of our Savior who is Jesus Christ.

Through baptism you are made clean of all sins. Maintain that purity from baptism by always keeping the commandments of God. And when you fall short rely on your Savior. He is always willing to take us back. And after we have fully repented depression which comes from dwelling on wrong doings can be conquered. Self-worth will increase. Self-esteem will grow. You can be forgiven! These blessings come, but only with full purpose of heart and a real intent to change. As Nephi teaches in 2 Nephi 31:13.



But why don't I feel forgiven?

Be patient. Forgive your self by doing good continual. After you have done something wrong what makes you fell better? Serving others and doing good. When you do good to others your no longer focused on yourself. It brings comfort, self-worth and an increase in self-esteem. God will lift you up, but only if you act. Get up and do something about it.

"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap...
"Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail...
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"
(D&C 6:33,34,36)

 Doing good is part of the healing process. Repent always. You can feel forgiven! Be patient. Give God equal time. Do good continually. It takes time and effort. God is a forgiving God. You can know for yourself with a certainty beyond doubt that Jesus is the resurrected, living Son of the living God. I know these things to be true because I have learned for myself. Press onward!





Mormon Message's

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light:
Forgiveness and the power of Jesus Christ enable a man to survive losing his wife and several childeren in a car accident-and allow the offending driver to began rebuilding his own life.


Unselfish Service:
The Savior taught us to follow his example and serve others.


References:

1.  Suzanne Simon, Forgiveness: How to make Peace with Your Past and Get On with Your Life (1990)

Straight to the Source. The Book of Mormon

I wanted to share with you my overwhelming gratitude for the Book of Mormon. I have read this book cover to cover 6 times in my life. What is in this book has changed my view on life.  It is not just a book of enjoyable stories but the words of God. The Book of Mormon has tremendously deepened my belief in God and Jesus Christ. A central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. By reading the Book of Mormon I have grown in understanding of who my Redeemer truly is. What the Book of Mormon teaches is real.  The words in this book have healed my soul. Strengthened me. Helped me to press on in times of hard ship. The Book of Mormon uplifts. I am so grateful God still communicates to His children as I have learned from the Book of Mormon.

You may ask, How can just a book heal you?

It's not the Book that heals you, but how much closer the Book of Mormon brings you to your Savior. Your Savior heals you not the book. Have you read the Book of Mormon how it is intended to be read? Do you want to know if the Book of Mormon is true? If you do not have an answer, ask yourself if it's truth is a possibility. Is it possible the book is true? I suggest you read it. How can anyone form a trust worthy opinion for themselves if all they hear and believe is from a secondary source. The only way you can form a trust worthy opinion of the Book of Mormon is to read it for yourself. The early Mormon saints willingly gave up their beloved belongings and careers to follow the prophet Joseph Smith. Why would anyone put themselves through such hardship, unless they knew God was real. What is in the Book of Mormon is real. Joseph Smith was martyred because he testified of Jesus Christ. Why would Joseph Smith go to his grave over a made up story? All your questions will be answered if you just read it. There is a promise the prophet Moroni gives at the end of the Book of Mormon.

 Moroni's Promise:

3. Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if  ye shall ask with a sincere heart  with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know of the reality of Jesus Christ because I have read His words in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I have felt the Holy Ghost testify truth to me as I have read. I have come to know the healing power of the Atonement Christ provides. All I want is for you to know likewise. Missionary's all over the world work tirelessly to persuade people to believe in Christ. 2 (Nephi 25:23) "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."  I promise you that as you read the Book of Mormon you will better understand who your Savior Jesus Christ is. You will grow or even begin in your relationship with God. I know my Redeemer lives. Jesus is the Christ. I challenge you to do as Moroni says and ponder and pray in your hearts to know for yourself (whether you are a member of the Church or not) you can receive the same witness I have received.





The Book of Moron: An Introduction (see link)

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and serves as a companion scripture to The Holy Bible. It draws people nearer to God.


Testimony From an Apostle of God:

• Elder Holland's Testimony of The Book of Mormon

Another Bloggers Testimony:

• Refocus, Al Fox