May 2016 Sunday talk

Accessing the Power of the Atonement through Repentance and Forgiveness.

Elder Richard G. Scott Finding Forgiveness

Recently, while traveling on an unfamiliar road, I encountered a large temporary sign declaring Rough Road Ahead, and indeed it was. Had I not been warned, that experience would have been disastrous. Life is like that. It’s full of rough spots. Some are tests to make us stronger. Others result from our own disobedience. Helpful warnings in our personal life can also save us from disaster.

A damaged road presents the same obstacles to every traveler until others repair it. The highway of life is different. Each one of us encounters unique challenges meant for growth. Also, our own bad choices can put more barriers in the path. Yet we have the capacity to smooth out the way, to fill in the depressions, and to beautify our course. The process is called repentance; the destination is forgiveness.

The Redeemer can settle your individual account with justice and grant forgiveness through the merciful path of repentance. 5Full repentance is absolutely essential for the Atonement to work its complete miracle in your life. By understanding the Atonement, you will see that God is not a jealous being who delights in persecuting those who misstep. He is an absolutely perfect, compassionate, understanding, patient, and forgiving Father. He is willing to entreat, counsel, strengthen, lift, and fortify. He so loves each of us that He was willing to have His perfect, sinless, absolutely obedient, totally righteous Son experience indescribable agony and pain and give Himself in sacrifice for all. 6 Through that atonement we can live in a world where absolute justice reigns in its sphere so the world will have order. But that justice is tempered through mercy attainable by obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance.”

“In His mercy, God promises forgiveness when we repent and turn from wickedness-- so much that our sins will not even be mentioned to us.

The atonement encompases more then just to pay the price for our sins.

It can be healing in so many ways. Troubled relationships, economic challenges, illnesses, all these things and more the Savior's infinite atonement can purify and heal.

Alex and I are best friends. I feel like We compliment each other. We work well together, We get each other, we enjoy doing similar things, I can’t think of a better person that I would want to be with forever. I love our life and our 3 children who have been the greatest blessing and brought so much joy to our lives.

I can’t say our 9 years together have been perfect. we have gone through some difficult times or “Rough Roads”. We’ve had our relationship struggles, we’ve had financial struggles, where you could say we weren't exactly each other's best friend. Even Heartbreaking times where we felt so distant from one another where each other's  feelings have been deeply hurt. Pain and Wounds that at the time even felt agonizing.

Dale G. Runlund- Latter Day Saints keep on Trying

“One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final.

Even if we have been a conscious, deliberate sinner or have repeatedly faced failure and disappointment, IN THE MOMENT we decide to try again the atonement of Christ can help us. We must remember that it is NOT the Holy Ghost that tells us we’re so far gone that we might as well give up.

Looking back now i can honestly see how making it through those “rough roads” and difficult times together have made us a stronger more bonded couple. We have grown in ways that wouldn’t be possible if it weren't for those times. I have seen the hand of the Lord in our lives Through him and his angels like loving church leaders, and beloved friends and family,  I have felt the encompassing peace and healing that the Savior's Atonement can offer.. Where hurt and pain and even sometimes hopelessness once felt encompassing, it has been replaced with healing, strength, happiness, and a bright and happy future.

"God cares a lot more about who we are, are who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying -Dale G Runlund"  I’m happy that we are stronger and different then we once were. And we can say that, that isn’t who we are now. I’m so happy that as a couple and family we kept on trying.

The healing Ointment of Forgiveness.  Kevin R. Duncan

“The Savior will bind up the broken hearted, give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

All that is of God encompasses love, light, and truth. Yet as human beings we live in a fallen world, sometimes full of darkness and confusion. It comes as no surprise that mistakes will be made, injustices will occur, and sins will be committed. As a result, there is not a soul alive who will not, at one time or another, be the victim to someone else’s careless actions, hurtful conduct, or even sinful behavior. That is one thing we all have in common.

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!

HE says, 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.

Dale G. Renlund spoke of his dear friend Thoba.

Thoba shared how she learned this lesson from her mother Julia. Julia and Thoba were among the early black converts in South africa. After the apartheid regime ended, black and white members of the church were permitted to attend church together. For many, the equality of interactions between races was new and challenging. One time as Julia and Thoba had attended church they felt they were treated less than kindly by some white members. As they left, Thoba complained bitterly to her mother. Julia listened calmly until Thoba had vented her frustration. Then Julia said, “oh Thoba, the Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped.”

Certainly those who are less spiritually mature may indeed make serious mistakes—yet none of us should be defined only by the worst thing we have ever done. God is the perfect judge. He sees beneath the surface. He knows all and sees all (see2 Nephi 2:24). He has said, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10).

Christ Himself, when He was unjustly accused, then savagely assaulted, beaten, and left suffering upon the cross, in that very moment said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Just as we are all victims to the misdeeds of others at one time or another, we are also sometimes the offender. We all fall short and have need of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We must remember that forgiveness of our own sins and offenses is conditioned upon our forgiving others. The Savior said:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).

Of all the things the Savior could have said in the Lord’s Prayer, which is remarkably short, it is interesting that He chose to include “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12; 3 Nephi 13:11).

Forgiveness is the very reason God sent His Son, so let us rejoice in His offering to heal us all. The Savior’s Atonement is not just for those who need to repent; it is also for those who need to forgive. If you are having trouble forgiving another person or even yourself, ask God to help you. Forgiveness is a glorious, healing principle. We do not need to be a victim twice. We can forgive.

“One of the secrets to a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody, everything, every night before going to bed”. -Bernard Baruche