Forgiveness

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.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus counsels us to ask Heavenly

Father to “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

(Matthew 6:12).

Seeking Forgiveness from the Lord

Sin is a heavy burden. It brings the tenseness of guilt and

the anguish of knowing that we have acted against the will of

our Father in Heaven. It brings lingering remorse as we realize

that because of our actions, we may have hurt others and

prevented ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has

been ready to give us.

Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive

forgiveness for our sins through sincere and complete repentance.

Sinfulness brings suffering and pain, but the Lord’s forgiveness

brings relief, comfort, and joy. The Lord has promised:

“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven,

and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42).

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as

snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”

(Isaiah 1:18).

You can experience this miracle, whether you need to

repent of serious sins or day-to-day weaknesses. Just as the

Savior pleaded with people anciently, He pleads with you

today:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek

and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew

11:28–30).

“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins,

and be converted, that I may heal you?

“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye

shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended

towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive;

and blessed are those who come unto me” (3 Nephi 9:13–14).

For an explanation of repentance, see “Repentance,”

pages 132–35.

Forgiving Others

In addition to seeking forgiveness for our own sins, we

must be willing to forgive others. The Lord said: “Ye ought to

forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his

trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there

remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive

whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all

men” (D&C 64:9–10).

In the everyday circumstances of life, you will surely be

wronged by other people—sometimes innocently and sometimes

intentionally. It is easy to become bitter or angry or

vengeful in such situations, but this is not the Lord’s way. The

Savior counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse

you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which

despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He

set the perfect example of forgiveness when He was on the

cross. Referring to the Roman soldiers who had crucified

Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not

what they do” (Luke 23:34; see footnote c).

Pray for strength to forgive those who have wronged

you. Abandon feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge. Look

for the good in others rather than focusing on their faults and

magnifying their weaknesses. Allow God to be the judge of

others’ harmful actions. It may be difficult to let go of hurt

feelings, but you can do it with the Lord’s help. You will find

that forgiveness can heal terrible wounds, replacing the poison

of contention and hatred with the peace and love that

only God can give.

Additional references: Matthew 6:14–15; 18:21–22; 1 Nephi 7:16–21

See also Atonement of Jesus Christ; Judging Others; Repentance