2.167 Forgive One Another

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus calls us the salt of the earth, a bold reminder that our lives are meant to carry his flavor, his truth, and his love to the world. Join me each day to explore one verse of scripture and one thought, striving to stay full of savor and truly live as savory salt. Hello, my friends.

It is great to have you with me. Today, let's be anxiously engaged in a good cause and bring to pass much righteousness. None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families, but we can control ourselves.

So begins a paragraph from President Russell M. Nelson's talk in April of 2022, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum." I want to keep on that talk for just a second before we get to our verse for today. He says, "My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life.

Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others, whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us. It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified.

It can seem impossible to forgive those whose destructive actions have hurt the innocent, and yet now more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring. How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony?" What a powerful message given to us a number of years ago by President Nelson. This week we are reading Doctrine and Covenants sections 64-66 as well as Alma chapters 11-15.

We're going to get some Alma and Amulek, but before that we're going to look in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 64. As there are some elders traveling, they run into each other and a vision occurs. And inside of this, right off the beginning of the vision, the Lord explains that many of them had made mistakes.

Many of them are struggling with their own ordinance and commandment keeping. But then he admonishes this in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 64, verse 9. My friends, this can be a very difficult message for all of us.

And yet, forgiveness is such a beautiful key component of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In fact, it is forgiveness that the very Atonement exists. If we didn't believe that the Lord would forgive us, we simply wouldn't seek forgiveness.

And yet, the forgiveness that I think our message, the message here today, is about forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. I want to share a very personal story. I hope it's not too personal, but I found myself in the temple several months ago and I turned the corner, was getting ready to go in and do some work in the temple.

I turned the corner and I saw an individual that I've not seen for many, many years. And that individual and I, well, there was a difficult parting. Let's just say that there was a lot of hurt and anger and frustration years ago.

And as I turned the corner, my initial reaction was surprise. I know I don't think this individual saw me, but as I sat down in the temple, I thought to myself, "What are the feelings I'm feeling right now? Am I okay with this other individual in the temple where I am?" Now it's been many years, as I mentioned, and I have worked to find forgiveness in my heart and I've sought the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

And I thought, "What if this individual has to help me at any time in the temple? How would I feel about that?" And I landed on something that I want to share. This is not to glorify my actions at all.

It's simply part of my own path. I decided that if I did run into that individual, we'd shake hands. And the best thing that I could say is, "I hope things are going well, and it's good to see you here in the temple." My friends, that's become one of my favorite phrases if I run into people in the temple, is it's good to see you here in the temple.

I'm grateful that Jesus Christ has opened the door for us to seek to forgive each other. It's truly through forgiving each other that we can find forgiveness for ourselves and forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's not easy, and none of the talks that I searched on forgiveness talk about it being an easy path.

But every one of them testifies of the worth it is for us and our souls to find forgiveness for others. Brothers and sisters, I know what I'm suggesting is not easy, but followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.

That's all for today, my friends. Lift up your hearts and rejoice. Cleave unto the covenants you have made, and together we will be savory salt.