The Savior Wants to Forgive

 

In October 2012 General conference, President Monson counseled:

“We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. …We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.”

 

Our Heavenly Father knows what we are facing, that we all sin and “come short of the glory of God” again and again. He sent His Son, who “knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.” His Son teaches us to “pray always that we enter not into temptation.” We are told to “cry unto God for mercy; for he is mighty to save.” The Savior commands us to repent and to forgive. And although repentance is not easy, as we strive with all our hearts to obey His gospel, He gives this promise: “Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding your sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. I will not utterly cast you off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.” The Savior wants to forgive.

 

While on my mission I've been blessed with the opportunity to see this principle in action. I have stepped into homes full of hard feelings and broken families, then been able to see Jesus Christ transform them as they take hold of His Atonement.

 

Again and again I hear the stories of their darkest times, their lowest points all with a common thread, "He never left me. He was always there."

 

As members of the church we are very quick to say, "You can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost only as long as you are worthy of it." This is true, when we turn away from the Spirit, when we choose to ignore His voice and avoid His embrace we can loose the feelings of comfort and council that He brings. I believe however that that companionship is never lost. I've received countless witnesses that tell me He was there for them in that dark pit they had dug for themselves. He didn't just throw in a rope but climbed down in there with them and lifted them up and out.

 

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

 

Let us remember our commission from the Savior to find those that wonder and are lost. He has not forgotten nor forsaken them and neither can we. I know that God is mindful of all of his people. I know that there is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from His love. We can help others to return to that love again!