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Spirit of Forgiveness

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"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)
 
Forgiveness can bring peace to the soul of the forgiver and the forgiven. Forgiveness is recognized in religion and in some social science literature to be a very important element in healing conflicts with other people. It helps heal the offender and the victim. One way to meet the demands of justice is through forgiveness. When a debt is forgiven, justice is restored. Usually the offender expresses remorse for wrongdoing and vows not to do the wrong again. Forgiveness can also be applied unilaterally without any response from the offender.
 
Dallin H. Oaks has written the following about the effect of forgiveness:
"One of the noblest acts of the human soul is the act of forgiveness. It can be exquisitely difficult when the wrong has been grievous, but the healing and the joy that come in its wake are wonderful.” (Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord's Way (Salt Lake City: Deseret book, 1991, 173.)
 
Gordon B. Hinckley gave this counsel on the need for forgiveness in our society:
"Is there a virtue more in need of application in our time than the virtue of forgiving and forgetting? There are those who would look upon this as a sign of weakness. Is it? I submit that it takes neither strength nor intelligence to brood in anger over wrongs suffered, to go through life with a spirit of vindictiveness, to dissipate one’s abilities in planning retribution. There is no peace in the nursing of a grudge. There is no happiness in living for the day when you can “get even.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Of You It Is Required to Forgive," Ensign, June 1991, 4)
 
Boyd K. Packer made this statement on the power of forgiveness
“Forgiveness is powerful spiritual medicine. To extend forgiveness, that soothing balm, to those who have offended you is to heal. . . . . Purge and cleanse and soothe your soul and your heart and your mind and that of others. A cloud will then be lifted, a beam cast from your eye. There will come that peace which surpasseth understanding.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Balm of Gilead,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 16.)
 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you." (D&C 82:1)

 
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