Forgiveness

So I am up in Logan and I forgot to bring my scriptures with me. I looked in a pile of books beside my bed and found Teachings of Presidents of the Church- Spencer W. Kimball. I prayed to find the right thing and opened up to the chapter on forgiveness. Have you been offended, hurt, let down, betrayed? I know we all have at some point in our lives. To forgive others of their wrongdoings toward us can be a hard thing to do, I know that it can rip relationships apart and cause division in families, but to hold a grudge destroys our inner peace. I read:

"A common error is the idea that the offender must apologize and humble himself to the dust before forgiveness is required. Certainly, the one who does the injury should totally make his adjustment, but as for the offended one, he must forgive the offender regardless of the attitude of the other. Sometimes men get satisfactions from seeing the other party on his knees and grovelling in the dust, but that is not the gospel way."

I found a video last year that really puts this into perspective.

"The Lord will judge with the same measurements meted out by us. If we are harsh, we should not expect other than harshness. If we are merciful with those who injure us, he will be merciful with us in our errors. If we are unforgiving, he will leave us weltering in our own sins... It can be done. Man can conquer self. Man can overcome. man can forgive all who have trespassed against him and go on to receive peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come." -Spencer W. Kimball

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you..."

Matthew 5:44