30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.
After his conversion, the prophet Alma led a group of persecuted saints in the land of Helam. His challenge was bolstering their faith and keeping them safe under the oppressive rule of Amulon, one of his former colleagues. But after the people were miraculously delivered by the power of God and united with the people of Zarahemla, Alma faced a new challenge: some members of the church were working actively to undermine the faith of their fellow members. Alma had no experience with this kind of internal dissension, and so he took the matter to the Lord.
In the passage above, which is part of the Lord’s answer, we see how committed our Heavenly Father is to the principle of forgiveness. He is eager to forgive His children, and is quick to welcome back even people who have fought against His work and harmed His children. As the second verse clarifies, He expects us to follow His example and forgive one another.
Jesus Christ set the perfect example of forgiveness. As He hung on the cross in terrible agony, He prayed for the Roman soldiers who were the direct cause of the pain. He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do,” even as they ignored His suffering and cast lots for His clothing (Luke 23:34).
Today I will follow the Savior’s perfect example of forgiveness. I will think about cases where people are difficult to love or who may have even caused me pain, and I will follow the Lord’s admonition to “forgive one another your trespasses.” In doing so, I will remember that I also need forgiveness from others and from the Lord, and I will be grateful for the Lord’s willingness to forgive me quickly when I repent.
In the passage above, which is part of the Lord’s answer, we see how committed our Heavenly Father is to the principle of forgiveness. He is eager to forgive His children, and is quick to welcome back even people who have fought against His work and harmed His children. As the second verse clarifies, He expects us to follow His example and forgive one another.
Jesus Christ set the perfect example of forgiveness. As He hung on the cross in terrible agony, He prayed for the Roman soldiers who were the direct cause of the pain. He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do,” even as they ignored His suffering and cast lots for His clothing (Luke 23:34).
Today I will follow the Savior’s perfect example of forgiveness. I will think about cases where people are difficult to love or who may have even caused me pain, and I will follow the Lord’s admonition to “forgive one another your trespasses.” In doing so, I will remember that I also need forgiveness from others and from the Lord, and I will be grateful for the Lord’s willingness to forgive me quickly when I repent.