Forgiveness Quotes

• ·         "I recall listening at length to a couple who sat across the desk from me. There was bitterness between them. I know that at one time their love was deep and true. But each had developed a habit of speaking of the faults of the other. Unwilling to forgive the kind of mistakes we all make, and unwilling to forget them and live above them with forbearance, they had carped at one another until the love they once knew had been smothered. It had turned to ashes with the decree of a so-called “no-fault” divorce. Now there is only loneliness and recrimination. I am satisfied that had there been even a small measure of repentance and forgiveness, they would still be together, enjoying the companionship that had so richly blessed their earlier years."

o   Gordon B. Hinckley "Of You It Is Required to Forgive" June 1991

• ·         "Those who wish to consider themselves as disciples of the Master must understand that we, like the first servant, owe a great debt to our Heavenly King for the many gifts we have received from Him. This understanding unlocks the door to the gifts of repentance and our own forgiveness. The retention of these gifts depends upon our faithful forgiveness of those who have offended us. The Savior said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7) and, “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged” (Matt. 7:2).  Forgiving others, however, does not necessarily mean that we would endorse or approve of the behavior or transgression. In fact, there are many actions and attitudes that deserve clear condemnation. But even in these we must completely forgive the offender. “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37)."

o   Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. "Words of Jesus: Forgiveness" Liahona February 2003

• ·         “It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.”

o   President Eyring “Mountains to Climb”  General Conference April 2012, Saturday Morning Session

• ·         “Recognize the good in others, not their stains. At times a stain needs appropriate attention to be cleansed, but always build on his or her virtues.”

o    Richard G. Scott "For Peace At Home" General Conference 2013

• ·         “Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is it charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don’t keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, “Hey! Do you remember this?” Splat!”

o   Jeffrey R. Holland "Remember Lot's Wife" BYU Devotional 2009

• ·         “To be worthy is also to free one’s mind of all ill feelings toward other people. We can add to this that worthy people have a great personal desire to renew the covenants they made during the ordinance of baptism by immersion into the restored Church. In other words, they have a great desire to attend sacrament meeting each Sunday.”

o   Jacob de Jager "Perfecting the Saints"  BYU Fireside February 5, 1989

• ·         “I invite you to remember and believe the words of the Lord and to exercise faith in Him unto repentance.  He loves you. He wants to forgive.”

o    Craig A. Cardon "The Savior Wants to Forgive" General Conference 2013

• ·         “We cannot repent for someone else. But we can forgive someone else, refusing to hold hostage those whom the Lord seeks to set free.”

o   Neil A. Maxwell  "Repentance" General Conference A991

• ·         “I think [forgiveness] may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly the most needed. There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness. It is the great principle emphasized in all of scripture, both ancient and modern. Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way.”

o   President Gordon B. Hinckley "Forgiveness"   General Conference 2005

• ·         “Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give and receive the gift of forgiveness. The feeling of happiness that will come will be a glimpse of what we can feel at home together in the eternal home for which we yearn.”

o    Henry B. Eyring "Home for Christmas" Liahona December 2009

• Position Statement:

            I’ve held a lot of grudges my life.  I realize now that it only really hurts me.  It still doesn’t make it easier to let the bitterness go though.  I’ve learned that until we forgive others, we can’t be forgiven, and I don’t want to pass still holding onto hard feelings.  It’s really hard to let certain things go, but it’s something I want to and need to work on through out my life.  I want to be like Jesus, and that means forgiving others when they try to wrong their right.  And if they don’t acknowledge what they did, I need to get the darkness out of my heart.