Applying the Doctrine and Covenants to Your Life
A Lesson from Church History Taught Me That Our Mistakes Do Not Define Us
The story of William W. Phelps taught me that I can be forgiven of my sins through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever made a mistake that you wish you could take back? Or said something you wish you could erase? Or prayed for forgiveness but didn’t feel like it was enough?
We’ve all been there.
For me, it isn’t rare to find myself begging Heavenly Father for forgiveness. There have been times I’ve felt too ashamed to fathom that anyone, even the Savior, could forgive me.
When I studied experiences in Church history, I realized that I might not be the only one who has felt this way. I found hope in the story of William W. Phelps, who was an author, missionary, and leader of the early Restoration. He was a good man. He preached the gospel wherever he traveled and became a trusted member of the Missouri High Council. William was also a close friend of Joseph Smith.
Which is why his betrayal of Joseph was particularly painful.
Forgiven Like the Prodigal Son
In 1838, mobs and militiamen attacked and pillaged the Saints in Missouri, destroying homes and beating resisters. In the aftermath, Joseph Smith and other Church leaders were arrested for baseless crimes. Afraid of being prosecuted alongside them, William W. Phelps and several others made a deal with the prosecutor: testify against Joseph Smith and go free.
Under oath, William joined others in bearing false testimony against the Prophet. After the trial, Joseph and other Church leaders were incarcerated in Liberty Jail. While William left the courthouse a free man, he felt the weight of his actions on his shoulders. Several years later, Joseph Smith received a letter from William asking Joseph for forgiveness.
“I am as the prodigal son,” wrote William. “I have been greatly abased and humbled.”
The Prophet wrote back, “Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.”
Joseph Smith was filled with compassion for William. Just as the father celebrated the return of the prodigal in the scriptures (see Luke 15:11–32), so too did the Saints receive William Phelps back into the fold.
Repentance and forgiveness for William—which likely seemed impossible to him—was now a reality. And it can be a reality for us too!
Elder Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asks us:
“Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?
“Who among us has not felt humbled, brokenhearted, and desperate for forgiveness and mercy?”
Perhaps we feel too ashamed of our mistakes to believe we could be forgiven. Elder Uchtdorf assures us, “Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion.”
Christ’s Love Is Greater
Joseph Smith acknowledged the pain that William had caused: “We have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us.”
But Joseph continued, “However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done.”
Joseph recognized that William’s sins had been paid for and that there was no need for William to suffer any longer. William’s repentance to Heavenly Father could free him from guilt.
Christ has said, “I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:11).
The Savior has lovingly faced all the suffering necessary to pay for our sins and mistakes. So when we repent and put in the work to change our lives, He wants us to move forward with the joy He has ensured for us. He does not want us to remain in pain. He drank “the bitter cup” so that our sincere repentance can be enough!
In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ felt all the betrayal, shame, embarrassment, and pain anyone would ever feel. With no friends by His side, He was sent to be crucified. He knew His sacrifice was necessary, so He willingly died for you and me. But on Easter morning, He triumphantly rose again.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, “One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.”
Whatever sins or mistakes we have made, Christ’s love is greater. Not only will He help us move forward as we sincerely repent, as we learn from William W. Phelps, but He can also help us to forgive others who have wronged us, like Joseph Smith did.
No greater act of love has been performed in the history of the world than Christ’s Atonement. Just like with the prodigal son, our Savior and Heavenly Father will welcome us every time we turn back to them.
So, if you feel you are beyond the reach of forgiveness, reach for Them. They are waiting for you.