When the Savior lived on earth, He loved people by serving them. He shared wisdom and knowledge by teaching them about Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness. He invited everyone to come unto Him—saying: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (1) This same invitation still stands, and it is extended to each of us, so that we might come to know Him and become a little more like Him.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of forgiveness for us. He taught his disciples how many times they were to forgive their brother if their brother continued to do wrong: “not … Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (2) This implies continual forgiveness. Christ taught us to pray to our Heavenly Father: “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” (3) The ultimate example of the Savior’s ability to forgive was His plea to God, when He was crucified and He said: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (4)
“To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. The scriptures refer to forgiveness in two ways. The Lord commands us to repent of our sins and seek His forgiveness. He also commands us to forgive those who offend or hurt us.” (5) Christ taught: “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” (6) “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” (7)
We were born into the world to receive a physical body that enables us to learn, grow and develop. We experience opposites, and we have the freedom to choose, which is in accordance with Heavenly Father’s plan. Even after doing our best, we all make mistakes, we sin, err and make wrong choices. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness for our sins through sincere and complete repentance, which includes a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and feeling godly sorrow.
“Forgiveness requires repenting of our sins and at the same time growing and strengthening our faith in Jesus Christ. As we repent and come unto Him, we are on the road to forgiveness.” (8)
Elder Neil L. Andersen has taught: “We must remember, however, that the divine gift of forgiveness can never be earned; it can only be received. Yes, commandments must be obeyed and ordinances observed to receive forgiveness, but personal effort, no matter how great, pales in comparison to the cost of redemption. In fact, there is no comparison. “Forgiveness is a gift, and the only One who can give the gift is the Redeemer and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. He offers His priceless gift willingly to all who turn to Him to receive it.” (9)
The Family Proclamation reminds us that one of the important principles of a happy life is forgiveness, regardless of how many people belong to our family: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.” (10)
President Nelson presented us with a request: “My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. “… I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life. Exercise the humility, courage, and strength required both to forgive and to seek forgiveness. The Savior has promised that ‘if [we] forgive men their trespasses, [our] heavenly Father will also forgive [us].’” (11) “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.” (12)
In the same manner, we should forgive and forget the wrongs we experience. Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts our Heavenly Father has given us. Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, we can receive the joyful miracle of forgiveness—by experiencing a powerful change of heart (13), by becoming “a saint …, as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love” (14), by feeling peace and assurance, and by receiving comfort and the strength to continue joyfully upon the covenant path.
It is for this reason that we “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (15)
- Matthew 11:28
- See Matthew 18:21-2
- Luke 11:4 (see also verses 1–3)
- Luke 23:3
- Gospel Topic: Forgiveness
- Luke 6:37
- Doctrine and Covenants 64:10
- See Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, 146
- Neil L. Andersen, “The Gift of Forgiveness,” Liahona, February 2021, 11
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97, 100
- Doctrine and Covenants 58:42
- See Mosiah 5:2
- Mosiah 3:19
- 2 Nephi 25:26