Forgive and Forget

I have choosen a topic from which all of us know quite a bit about.  All of us have to forgive and some time or another in our lives but it isn't always easy.  Sometimes it is extremely difficult to let go and to move on.  I'd like to share here a rather insightful definition of forgiveness: “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.”  Many may still ask why we should forgive, quite simply because it allows us to let go.  It always bothers me when someone says, "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget."  That is not true forgiveness.  If we are to truly forgive someone, we need to put aside our petty differences and look at those persons who wronged us anew.  True you may never forget what they did to us, but if we aren't willing to re-embrace that person, then we are at fault.    
D&C 64
9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to ^aforgive one another; for he that ^bforgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will ^aforgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to ^bforgive all men.

Matthew 6
14 For if ye ^aforgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye ^aforgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


Let us all strive to be better people, I certainly fail at that from time time.  Though forgiving one is never an easy task, it is extremely rewarding.  For all who are reading this blog, I would like to suggest some reading.  Luke 15:11-32 is the parable of the prodigal son, and forgiveness is main theme.  I hope all of you can read through it.

Elder Woodworth

Love Others

Luke 10

  29 But he, willing to ^ajustify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my ^bneighbour?

  30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and ^awounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

  31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

  32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

  33 But a certain ^aSamaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had ^bcompassion on him,

  34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took ^acare of him.

  35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the ^ahost, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

  36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

  37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

    Everyone can learn from the parable of the good Samaritan.  In the previous verses a lawyer is commanded to follow the great commandment (see Luke 10:25-28), from which stems the question in verse 29.  As we also know from history the Samaritans and the Jews were the best of enemies, in fact they were thought of lower than gentiles or Romans (gentiles are all those not of the house of Israel).  Yet the Savior teaches us here to love everyone as neighbors because we are all children of God.  Everyone needs to work on loving our neighbors, but we can't merely pay lip service to this idea, we need to do it!

"Where there is love there is life" -Mohandas Gandhi

First Entry

Isaiah 53: 3-5
This here is my favorite scripture.  Lots of memories connected to it as well as spiritual expriences.  I'm Elder Woodworth a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I'm currently serving a 2 year mission in the area of western New York.

Thank You