I write way more blogs than I ever post. I debated on this one, I don’t blog about lessons I teach very often, this one went really well because of the spirit so I hope sharing it doesn’t distract from the spirit. Brant thinks I should blog all my crazy analogies and object lessons.
I started the lesson with scenarios but I made them more personal. I told them of one of my volleyball girls taking money and later, returning it and asking forgiveness but now is asking for a letter of recommendation and I asked for their suggestions. Then I told them of telling a friend something in confidence and over-hearing her tell someone else and adding details that were not true. I said I don’t mean to vent I really want to know what to do. They took the bait… Wow did they want to defend me, they talked about getting a sword naming it kindness and suggested “killing them with kindness”. I couldn’t have asked for a better taking of the bait. Of course none of them suggested forgiveness. I then thanked them for their suggestions and said we could get to the lesson. I asked why do we come to church? To learn of Christ, renew our covenants we have made with him, to be more like him. Then I talked of His perfect example and how even at the end He was jeered at and spat upon, there was the offering of vinegar, climaxed by the cruel thorns; and finally, there he hung, his body broken and bleeding, still taunted by his enemies; and it was in the midst of all this that Jesus pled perhaps quietly, with deep reverence, said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
I then suggested that if He can forgive surely I could write a letter of recommendation, after all she came and apologized, it was one time and I said I would forgive her right? They were in agreeance for that one.
But what if they are not sorry or they do it again? That is when it is tough. We read a little from the miracle of forgiveness how it doesn’t matter and that forgiveness should still be offered, and also read in Matthew 18:21-22 forgive seventy times seven. I shared a little bit on the symbolism of 7. A covenant number, completion, fulfillment, perfection and sanctification. Also 70 which is a Gentile number those who bring gentiles into the house of Israel. So we forgive until they are brought to the house of Israel and our covenant is fulfilled and we are perfected in Christ. We came to church to renew that covenant. I know that is what Christ said, but I didn’t tell them it was easy, but Jesus does tell us how in Matthew 5:43-44 love them, bless them, do good and pray for them. Forgiveness is not the easiest aspect of the gospel. I can pray for them and maybe even preform acts of kindness but when it happens again and it is someone who I HAVE to deal with then it all comes back and I dig it all back up.
While I was preparing this lesson this scripture story in the Book of Mormon (Alma chapter 23 through 27) kept coming back to me and I wasn’t sure why; to me this story was all about repentance.
The Laminates in seven lands and cities are converted, they call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies. The other guys (Amalekites and the Amulonites) do not want to hear it and cannot believe. Ammon actually takes them where they can be safe because they have buried their weapons and will not dig up past sins. The Amalekites are mad they won’t forgive them and they feel justified and have not forgotten, they will not let it go. Alma 27:2 And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of their loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they could not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the people in anger against their brethren, the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi; therefore they began again to destroy them.
Get it? Because of their loss they cannot move forward and they are mad, they begin to stir up other people in their cause.
Then I said to the girls how hard was it to stir up the people and get them on their side? I did it to you, how many of you were mad with me earlier when I told you of my perceived injustice? You gave me suggestions but not one of you said leave it alone and forgive. It isn’t our initial response it takes true conversion not to dig up and fight back. I asked their forgiveness for making up those stories, I had to make it real believable and added to them so that I could stir them up. (ironic that the girls even brought up swords) It worked I gave them the challenge of looking for forgiveness as a solution to feel that miracle in their own lives. I told them the story of W.W. Phelps and Joseph Smith and one from Corrie Ten Boone.
I have prayed for comfort before, but this week, I have prayed for God to change my feelings. He has changed my feelings of resentment, anger, and fear. Sometimes it seems unfair that God will forgive who, he will forgive but I have to forgive all men. But is this statement true or false-- the Savior took upon himself all the sins of the world.
If it is true then He has that injustice you are burning about. Shouldn’t you take it up with Him? How easy it is to love him, he offers me forgiveness, no wonder it is required of us to forgive all men because it has already been taken care of, their sins and mine have been atoned for so then this scripture makes sense. I love my savior and redeemer he truly is where I turn for peace.
We read this scripture, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness truly is a miracle it really does bring us peace.
There were some great quotes in the lesson
Gordon B. Hinckley "...forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way."
My favorite "Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts." -Elder David E. Sorensen ,"Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love", May 2003, Ensign pg 10.
It doesn’t mean that what happened was right or good just that it did happen and we learn from it and try to avoid that pain again but we don’t stay there with the hurt we move forward in/with faith.
Forgiveness is offered with the atonement, it takes work with repentance but it is a miraculous feeling of peace. This lesson has been so powerful for me and I am grateful for the forgiveness offered by my Savior in accepting the past and moving forward in the future. Sometimes living the gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t easy but it is worth it. I really do hope you will work for the peace offered by the miracle of forgiveness.
I’m not sure this post really conveyed the spirit in the room but it was cool. And of course, I had a handout
If you are still Burning with what happened, you have SMORE forgiving to do.
On the way home I was just really up about how it went. Then the kids started fighting Heath got really quiet, when we got home and after he changed clothes he asked Ria to meet him in the kitchen, he gave her a popsicle. I told him that was thoughtful he said, “even though she made me mad in the car and hurt my feelings I can be a peacemaker”, this was said with a fist pump. Thank you primary teacher. His prayer that night cracked us up when he asked for help in being peacemakers especially Rianne. We are all a work in progress aren’t we? It is all about having peace, no better feeling in this world.
