Doctrine and Covenants 64: 1-11

 

How are we blessed when we choose to forgive one another?

"1 Behold, thus saith the Lord your God unto you, O ye elders of my church, hearken ye and hear, and receive my will concerning you.

2 For verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion upon you.

3 There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this once, for mine own glory, and for the salvation of souls, I have forgiven you your sins.

4 I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom.

5 And the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom shall not be taken from my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means I have appointed, while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.

6 There are those who have sought occasion against him without cause;

7 Nevertheless, he has sinned; but verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death.

8 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.

9 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.

10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds." (Doctrine and Covenants 64: 1-11)

And here's the commentary entitled: “Forgive one another.” : 

"Consider the following as you study Doctrine and Covenants 64:1–11:

• Think about a time when the Lord forgave you. How did you feel?

• Is there someone you need to forgive? Why can forgiving others be so difficult? What helps you overcome these difficulties?

• What truths about forgiveness in Doctrine and Covenants 64:1–11 seem important to you? Why do you think the Lord commands us “to forgive all”? (verse 10).

If you struggle to forgive, consider studying Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “The Ministry of Reconciliation” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 77–79) or Kristin M. Yee’s message “Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness” (Liahona, Nov. 2022, 36–38). What do you learn about how Christ can help you forgive?

Family relationships can provide many opportunities to forgive. Think about your family members. Whom do you need to forgive? How are we “afflicted” (verse 8) when we don’t forgive each other? How would forgiveness affect your family relationships?"

I felt that the heavy burden of guilt was taken away when I was forgiven of the Lord. 

Looks like there are people I still need to forgive even though I see them around these days no more. Forgiving others can be so difficult sometimes because of the feeling of betrayal and because of lack of humility or having pride more than humility. By remembering that nobody is perfect, even I, myself, also have the tendency to make mistakes, and commit sins, and so, I need to be forgiven too, even by myself, remembering this is making the choice to forgive others easier.