Forgiveness

#1. "As we accept His ways and overcome our pride by softening our hearts, we can bring reconciliation and forgiveness into our families and our personal lives. God will help us to be more forgiving, to be more willing to walk the second mile, to be first to apologize even if something wasn’t our fault, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf - One Key to a Happy Family)

What Elder Utchdorf said is a promise that the Lord gives us if we give up our pride and soften our hearts. Peace will enter our homes and every moment that we go about life. With a softened heart He will help us see others the way He sees them which in turn will direct our lives with more kindness. He will guide us with light if we so choose to let Him do so.

#2. “The Savior offered Himself as ransom for our sins. Through Him we gain forgiveness.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf - One Key to a Happy Family)

 It is because of the Savior that I am able to receive forgiveness for all of my stupid mistakes. That in itself is selfless love, love that I didn't earn and that I don't deserve, but He did it because despite everything I've done, He still loves me. Forgiveness is the mercy of His perfect love and because of Him I can right all the wrongs I have done.

#3. "Forgiveness connects principles, it connects people. It is a key, it opens locked doors, it is the beginning of an honest path, and it is one of our best hopes for a happy family." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf - One Key to a Happy Family)

Forgiveness allows one to let go of the pain that hardens our hearts. People make mistakes and if we wish to be like Christ, we can't hold them to their mistakes. He doesn't and neither should we. The greatest thing is if we let go, honesty and faith is able to enter our hearts and we are then healed from the pains that others may cause. 

#4. “There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life—either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. It is not good. It is not Christian. It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ.” (Jeffery R. Holland-The Best is Yet to Be)

 The Atonement was all for the remission, the forgiveness, of our sins. Elder Holland speaks truth that to hold onto our mistakes or the mistakes of others is not Christian, it  is not what our Savior went through so much pain for. He sacrificed Himself for our sakes so that we may be forgiven and that we may have the capacity to forgive others. Forgiveness opens the grand possibility of true happiness.

#5. “Forgive and do that which is sometimes harder than to forgive: forget. And when it comes to mind again, forget it again.” (Jeffery R. Holland-The Best is Yet to Be)

Forgetting is the hardest part of forgiving. It's just not in the nature of the natural man to do so, but we must rise above that and continue forward with a faith in the future. If we put our trust in Him with an understanding that everything happens for a reason, then we will better understand the purpose behind every moment we are hurt. The greatest growth though is when we do finally forget.  

#6. “Certainly not everything we struggle with is a result of our actions. Often it is the result of the actions of others or just the mortal events of life. But anything we can change we should change, and we must forgive the rest.” (Jeffery R. Holland-Broken Things to Mend) 

Not everything is our own fault, but no matter who's fault it is, we must let go. If it is in our power to change the wrong, then do so, but all in all we need to just forgive and forget. Others make mistakes just like we do and their judgement will come by God, just as ours will, but it is not up to us to hold others sins against them .Forgiving an forgetting is the best way to heal. 

#7. "If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being." (The Healing Power of Forgiveness- James E. Faust)

Forgiving another is like letting go of a 100 lb sack. It relieves that stress and anxiety and the renewed strength comes from finding great purpose and self-esteem. Hardened hearts also lessen our ability to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and instead of making wholesome and directed decisions, we become lost and distant. Forgiveness is never easy, but it is always worth it.

#8. “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.”  (The Healing Power of Forgiveness - James E. Faust)
I absolutely love this quote. It's hard to put into words the emotions that come with with he said. But all in all, forgiveness is a freeing power. It just allows you to do so much more in progressing with the gospel and your relationship with Heavenly Father. We each have the power to forgive anything wrong that has happened in our lives, it's up to us if we wish to do so. 

#9. "Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic." (The Healing Power of Forgiveness-James E. Faust)
The greatest therapy is to rid of wrong that others do to us. When we rid of grudges, that space of anger and hatred is replaced with peace. It does take courage to let go of those feeling unaware if we'll be able to move on, but if we rely on the Lord, he will bless us. He is so pleased when we let go and forgive those who have done wrong.

#10. "It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us." (The Healing Power of Forgiveness - James E. Faust)
It's easier to harbor the grudges we have against others and not forgive. It takes a sincere desire to want to change to ask Heavenly Father to bless you with the power to forgive when we've harbored the feeling of them being the one who is wrong.. To hurt another is very wrong, but it is also wrong to not forgive. The Savior's sacrifice is a beautiful thing for us to be able to forgive and be forgiven.