Gospel Topic # 9: Forgiveness

The Spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many families there are hurt feelings and a reluctance to forgive. It doesn’t really matter what the issue was. It cannot and should not be left to injure. Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals. 

President Thomas S. Monson, "The Peril of Hidden Wedges", Liahona July 2007

When you act on that answer to your prayer for strength to forgive, you will feel a burden lifted from your shoulders. Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give and receive the gift of forgiveness. The feeling of happiness that will come will be a glimpse of what we can feel at home together in the eternal home for which we yearn.

President Henry B. Eyring, "Home for Christmas", Liahona December 2009

As we accept His ways and overcome our pride by softening our hearts, we can bring reconciliation and forgiveness into our families and our personal lives. God will help us to be more forgiving, to be more willing to walk the second mile, to be first to apologize even if something wasn’t our fault, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more. 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "One Key to a Happy Family", Ensign October 2012

If you have been offended, forgive, forget it, and leave it alone.

President Boyd K. Packer, "Guided by the Holy Spirit", General Conference April 2011

The fruit of true repentance is forgiveness, which opens the door to receive all of the covenants and ordinances provided on this earth and to enjoy the resulting blessings. When a repentant soul is baptized, all former sins are forgiven and need not be remembered. When repentance is full and one has been cleansed, there comes a new vision of life and its glorious possibilities. How marvelous the promise of the Lord: “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.” ¹⁶ The Lord is and ever will be faithful to His words.

Elder Richard G. Scott, "Finding Forgiveness", Ensign May 1995

When we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts.

Elder David E. Sorenson, "Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love", Liahona May 2003

As we plead for mercy, we need to show mercy to others. The injury people do us may appear at the moment to be very great. Yet, just as time heals the wounds of the body, so time also heals the wounds of the soul. As we apply disinfectants to aid in healing the wounds of the body, we need to apply love and understanding in disinfecting the wounds of the soul. To the extent we give forgiveness to others, we can expect to receive forgiveness for ourselves. It is all part of the process of repentance.

Elder Theodore M. Burton, "To Forgive is Divine", Ensign May 1983

Forgiving others, however, does not necessarily mean that we would endorse or approve of the behavior or transgression. In fact, there are many actions and attitudes that deserve clear condemnation. But even in these we must completely forgive the offender. “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., "Words of Jesus: Forgiveness", Liahona February 2003

How difficult it is for any of us to forgive those who have injured us. We are all prone to brood on the evil done us. That brooding becomes as a gnawing and destructive canker. Is there a virtue more in need of application in our time than the virtue of forgiving and forgetting? There are those who would look upon this as a sign of weakness. Is it? I submit that it takes neither strength nor intelligence to brood in anger over wrongs suffered, to go through life with a spirit of vindictiveness, to dissipate one’s abilities in planning retribution. There is no peace in the nursing of a grudge. There is no happiness in living for the day when you can “get even.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Of You It Is Required to Forgive", Ensign June 1991

When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy", General Conference April 2012

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My Position Statement:

Forgiveness is so important. If you do not forgive someone for what they did, you are the one that suffers. It is so important to forgive all those that do you harm. You don't have to agree with them, or allow them to hurt you again. But you still should forgive them and move on.

It is also so important to forgive yourself. Don't hold onto those things that you did wrong. Forgive yourself, and just let them go.

Tara

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