I have pondered many times what is the true purpose of this life; even though we know that we come to be tested. I think the hardest and toughest test is to learn to forgive others, forgive ourselves and ask for forgiveness when we offend someone. When I was younger I had a bit of an entitlement feeling. I thought I had been hurt by people that loved me and I just deserved for others to ask for my forgiveness, how silly of me! I needed to repent about so many things. I have hurt many people around me because my attitude was wrong. I feel so humble about "forgiveness". I have pleaded myself for forgiveness from my Father in Heaven.I have experienced in my own life the power of forgiveness and the miracle of repentance. This is the greatest gift from God! I am forever grateful for this gift.
“The Church is not an automobile showroom—a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation. And are we not, all of us, in need of repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation? We come to church not to hide our problems but to heal them. And as priesthood holders, we have an additional responsibility—to “feed the flock of God… , not by constraint, but willingly; not for [personal gain] but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock."
Pte. Dieter F. Duchtdorf, "Our Being Genuine"
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a place for people with all kinds of testimonies. There are some members of the Church whose testimony is sure and burns brightly within them. Others are still striving to know for themselves. The Church is a home for all to come together, regardless of the depth or the height of our testimony. I know of no sign on the doors of our meetinghouses that says, “Your testimony must be this tall to enter.” The Church is not just for perfect people, but it is for all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.” The Church is for people like you and me. The Church is a place of welcoming and nurturing, not of separating or criticizing. It is a place where we reach out to encourage, uplift, and sustain one another as we pursue our individual search for divine truth. In the end, we are all pilgrims seeking God’s light as we journey on the path of discipleship. We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true."
Pte. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth"
"Age does something to a man. It seems to make him more aware of the need for kindness and goodness and forbearance. He wishes and prays that men might live together in peace without war and contention, argument and conflict. He grows increasingly aware of the meaning of the great Atonement of the Redeemer, of the depth of His sacrifice, and of gratitude to the Son of God, who gave His life that we might live."
Pte. Gordon B. Hinckley, "Forgiveness"
"Sin is the willful transgression of divine law. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the gift of God to His children to correct and overcome the consequences of sin. God loves all of His children, and He will never cease to love and to hope for us. The plan of our Heavenly Father is clear, and His promises are great: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world … might be saved. (John 3:17)"
Pte. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Point of Safe Return"
"True repentance brings us back to doing what is right. To truly repent we must recognize our sins and feel remorse, or godly sorrow, and confess those sins to God. If our sins are serious, we must also confess them to our authorized priesthood leader. We need to ask God for forgiveness and do all we can to correct whatever harm our actions may have caused. Repentance means a change of mind and heart—we stop doing things that are wrong, and we start doing things that are right. It brings us a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general."
Pte. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Point of Safe Return"
"Every incorrect choice we make, every sin we commit is a
violation of eternal law. That violation brings negative results we generally
soon recognize. There are also other consequences of our acts of which we may
not be conscious. They are nonetheless real. They can have a tremendous effect
on the quality of our life here and most certainly will powerfully affect it
hereafter. We can do nothing of ourselves to satisfy the demands of justice for
a broken eternal law. Yet, unless the demands of justice are paid, each of us
will suffer endless negative consequences."
"The Redeemer can settle your individual account with justice
and grant forgiveness through the merciful path of repentance. Full 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. 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."
"We have each felt to some extent these spiritual arms around
us. We have felt His forgiveness, His love and comfort. The Lord has said, “I am
he [who] comforteth you.”
The Lord’s desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in
His arms is often an invitation to repent. “Behold, he sendeth an invitation
unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith:
Repent, and I will receive you.”
"I am amazed at the Savior’s encircling arms of mercy and
love for the repentant, no matter how selfish the forsaken sin. I testify that
the Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins. Except for the sins of those
few who choose perdition after having known a fullness, there is no sin that
cannot be forgiven. What a marvelous privilege for each of us to turn away from
our sins and to come unto Christ. Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest
fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing
them with joy and peace of conscience. Jesus declares, “Will ye not now return
unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”
"If as an innocent victim you have been seriously wronged,
don’t harbor feelings of hatred, anger at what appears to be unjust. Forgive
the offender even when you are innocent. To do that may require an enormous
effort on your part. Such forgiveness is most difficult, but it is the sure
path to peace and healing. If there is discipline required for a serious
transgression against you, leave that to the Church and civil authorities.
Don’t burden your own life with thoughts of retribution. The Lord’s mill of justice
grinds slowly, but it grinds exceedingly well. In the Lord’s economy, no one
will escape the consequences of unresolved violation of His laws. In His time
and in His way full payment will be required for unrepented evil acts."
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