Joseph offered words of reassurance immediately after revealing his identity to his brothers. “Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). It was a magnanimous gesture from a man who had endured decades of hardship because of his brothers’ decision to sell him as a slave. Joseph wanted to signal a new beginning and a reconciliation in their relationship.
We all have things that we regret in our lives, and guilt can serve a valuable purpose in motivating change. But when our regret has resulted in genuine change, it’s time to let it go. Enos struggled for many long hours in prayer, earnestly seeking a remission of his sins. When God said to him, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed,” he immediately felt peace. This wasn’t automatic; it was a direct result of his faith. He said, “I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away” (Enos 1:4-6).
Elder Patrick Kearon taught:
New beginnings are at the heart of the Father’s plan! Fresh starts are the mission of the Son! New dawns, new chapters, and new chances are the simple core of the gospel’s good news! …
You can actually change things about yourself that have been wearing you down for years. You can start again through the might of the Master of new beginnings. He never tires of giving new beginnings to us.
“Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning,” October 2025 general conference
Today, I will choose not to be grieved nor angry with myself. I will believe in new beginnings and in the Savior’s ability to set things right in my life. I will avoid obsessing over past mistakes and instead will look toward a bright future.
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