We can find all manner of reasons
for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the
wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to
forfeit the peace and happiness that
could be ours. The folly of rehashing
long-past hurts does not bring happiness. Some hold grudges
for a lifetime, unaware that
courageously forgiving those who have
wronged us is whole- some and therapeutic. Gary Ceran, whose
wife and two chil- dren were killed
on Christmas Eve when their vehicle
was hit by a truck, immediately expressed
his forgive- ness and concern for the alleged MAY 2007 drunk driver. Last February, when a car crashed into
Bishop Christopher Williams??s vehicle,
he had a decision to make, and it was
to ??uncondition- ally forgive?? the driver who had caused the accident so that the healing process could take place unhampered. When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by
seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our hearts of festering resentment. The Savior has offered to all
of us a precious peace through His Atonement, but this can come only as
we are willing to cast out negative feelings of anger, spite, or revenge. For all of us who forgive
those who trespass against us, even those who have committed serious crimes, the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort.