We learn the following when the Lord made this statement regarding forgiveness:
D&C 64:
10 “I the Lord will forgive whom
I will forgive, but of you, it is required to forgive all men.”
But the act of forgiving or
receiving forgiveness, is not easy. It is complex and requires many preliminary
steps. Recognition, remorse, revealing and reconciliation all come before there
can be rejoicing.
When one seeks forgiveness
from his fellowman, he is placed in the humble position of a beggar petitioning
for something that is beyond his power to acquire for himself. He is totally
dependent upon someone else to show mercy before the act can be consummated.
In this respect,
forgiveness is a contract between two parties: the transgressor and the
transgressed. Failure to reach a mutual agreement on the conditions of the
contract means both parties lose. The transgressor remains in debt or bondage,
while the transgressed remains unrequited or unreconciled, perhaps even drowning
in bitter resentment and soul destroying hurt. Both are chained to each other
and cannot move away from the original sin.
Yet the moment forgiveness
is fully granted and joyfully received, both are immediately set free. The
transgressor is relieved of the burden of his debts and transgression. The
transgressed has also removed his own unbearable burden by the very act of
forgiving and forgetting. Both come away with an immense feeling of relief and
freedom because they are unyoked. They can now move on with life.
It is easier to understand
why God would command us to “ forgive all men” if we accept that we, unlike
God, are not perfect. The process of becoming perfect requires adopting and
mastering the qualities which make him “God” in the first place.
Mercy, love, compassion, understanding and humility are required to forgive
others who trespass against us while living life. They are also the qualities
we must perfect to become as God is. The bigger the debt or offense, the
greater the need we personally have for these God like qualities. As we embrace
the act of granting mercy, love, compassion and understanding unto to the least
of those who seek our forgiveness, we become more worthy to be the recipients
of mercy, love compassion and understanding from God – the very being to whom
we all stand in debt. The more often we go through the process of forgiveness,
the more we progress and qualify to be reconciled with God. Someday, whether we
are the transgressor or the transgressed, we will stand in his presence,
petitioning for his forgiveness.
D&C
64: 9 “Wherefore I say unto you that ye ought to forgive one another,
for he who foregiveth not his brother his trespasses, standeth condemned before
the Lord, for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”
D&C
64: 11 “ And ye ought to say in your hearts – Let God judge between me
and thee and reward thee according to thy deeds”
– Doug
Garrett
