We are so thankful
for your desire to take this class, to
try to improve your lives. Thank you for your faith. Of course, our
objective in this book, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness,
is that this will not just be a class but a way of
life as you go step by step toward your heavenly home. Listen to this amazing quotation
from President Russell M. Nelson. "Nothing is more
liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our
individual progression than is a regular daily
focus on repentance. Experience the
strengthening power of daily repentance, of doing
and being a little better each day." Do you see that this is
much more than a class? Repentance, forgiveness,
the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. Approaching Him, trusting
Him: this is our daily walk. Think of the sacrament. And as we take that bread
and as we drink that water, we promise to always remember
Him, to keep Him in our heart and in all our actions. We take His name upon us. Can you see how the
temple has a role in this? We go to the temple to make
sacred covenants with Him. Those ordinances come up in
us and say, "Stay strong. Don't give up. Keep the promises
that you've made." We make promises to our
Savior, but those promises are very small compared to the
promises and the assurances He makes to us. And as we do these
things, step by step, repentance becomes a daily
and continual process. I can give you this
promise: if you will take the concepts, the
principles, the doctrines, the teachings of Christ that
you've learned in this class and you will apply them on
a daily basis to your life, not just for a week or a month
but for the rest of your life, you will find you will land
yourself in the kingdom of God. Remember, the celestial kingdom
is not made for a few people. He has prepared that kingdom
for His sons and daughters, and He wants you there. These things are true,
and they will be yours as you make this a part
of your daily living. And I say it in the name
of Jesus Christ, amen.