Forgiveness: My Testimony

I have struggled with this concept since I was 9 years old. How do you forgive someone who has wronged you when they won’t acknowledge their wrong-doing by, at the very least, apologizing? It’s even more difficult when it’s a family member. When I was 19, a stranger assaulted me, was apprehended, judged in a court of law, and served his time. Never apologized. How can I forgive him? Is it possible to forgive those who haven’t repented?

I am grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping me gain the testimony that it is possible to forgive those who have not apologized. There is no need for me to judge these people; Heavenly Father will handle that. In the Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10, the Lord said, “Ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”

I am thankful to finally have gained the strength to release the anger and anxiety related to these events. I firmly believe I could not have found the courage to do so without the guidance of Heavenly Father’s word and the blessing of the Holy Ghost.

I’m looking forward to recapturing some of that 9-year-old enthusiasm that was taken from me and living in the light of Christ.

Me (on the right) and my sister at Kings Island (bonus: Creepy botanical Fred Flintstone photo bombing!)