News, events, and activities of members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pittsburgh area

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Forgiveness and Restitution


"Whenever possible, make restitution to all persons you have harmed." Step 9 of the Church's Addiction Recovery Program applies to every one of us, addict or not. If we hope to be forgiven by God and by others, we must try to fix what we have broken.

In the words of the lead writer in the September 2014 edition of the Arbor, step 9 calls us to "identify and seek forgiveness from people whom we've offended." If we are sincere, as part of the process of seeking forgiveness we will attempt to repair the wrongs we've done to them.

But there's more, he says: "I must forgive everyone before I can expect others and the Lord to forgive me." The author faced a challenge in doing that—two major offenses that had hurt him deeply. He shares his story in the Arbor. Sometimes forgiving is just not easy.

Sometimes we mistake what forgiveness means. One of the finest discussions of forgiveness—what it is, why we should forgive, and how—is last year's Marjorie Pay Hinckley lecture at Brigham Young University, "Forgiveness in Marriage." The principles explained there apply not only in marriage but in many other relationships. If forgiving is a challenge for you, take time to watch the lecture, embedded above.

Forgive and seek forgiveness. Forgive and be forgiven. Forgive and find peace.

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