Of You It Is Required to Forgive

When we forgive someone, we are relieved of a heavy burden. Moreover, forgiving is a commandment from the Lord. The Savior taught: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

In the following examples we see how the blessing of being able to forgive came to three people—one who forgave a friend who had cheated her, one who forgave an ex-spouse, and one who forgave a murderer.

Peace in Forgiveness

“You may be carrying a heavy burden of feeling injured by another who has seriously offended you. Your response to that offense may have distorted your understanding so that you feel justified in waiting for that individual to ask forgiveness so that the pain can leave. The Savior dispelled any such thought when He commanded:

“‘Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

“‘I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men’ (D&C 64:9–10).

“Don’t carry the burden of offense any longer. Genuinely ask forgiveness of one that has offended you, even when you consider you have done no wrong. That effort will assuredly bring you peace and will likely begin the healing of serious misunderstandings.”

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “To Be Free of Heavy Burdens,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 88.

Photographs by David Stoker