“Should we continue forgiving a person who keeps doing wrong?” New Era, Mar. 1974, 7–9
“Should we continue forgiving a person who keeps doing wrong because that person is confident that he will be forgiven again?”
Answer/Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone
The question is directed to members of the Church: should we forgive a person who continues to do wrong with the full expectation of forgiveness. The Lord made this crystal clear in his response to Peter’s inquiry: “… how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times?
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matt. 18:21–22.)
You will note that Peter’s question was directed to those who “sin against me.” In the above question it appears that the person is not sinning against us, but rather continuing to sin.
Repentance is not a law to be trifled with. Woe unto him who sins with the idea of seeking repentance. He trifles with the very principles of salvation. The person who repents with the idea that he may sin again at a later time is not truly repenting; he is only ceasing his sinful activity for a period with the hope that it will salve his conscience. Then, under the false sense of repentance, the pressure to truly repent seems to be lifted and the sinful one may turn back to the sin.
In section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants we read, “… he that … repents with all his heart, and forsaketh it, and doeth it no more, thou shalt forgive.” (D&C 42:25.) Now the Lord is speaking of a major transgression, but it is my feeling that the principle remains the same in all matters needing repentance. We must forsake sin with all our heart, and herein lies the motivation and inspiration from returning to the sin.
It is interesting to me that the Aaronic Priesthood holds the key to the preparatory gospel, “… which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins. …” (D&C 84:27.) The bishop as president of the Aaronic Priesthood holds the key to repentance. For this reason transgressions of a serious nature must be confessed to the bishop. He then has the power to make a judgment and determine forgiveness on behalf of the Church.
Remember, my beloved young friends, you may go to your bishop in confidence. No bishop should ever divulge a confidence. In some rare cases he may feel to take the matter to the stake president, oftentimes without divulging names, for additional counsel. This is the great process of the Church and ensures the repentant sinner the inspired counsel and direction from the priesthood-line authority.
You will be interested in Paul’s counsel and exhortation to Timothy:
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.
“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
“And that they may recover themselves out of the. snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Tim. 2:22–26.)
It seems that as we include all of the character traits that are involved in charity, peradventure God may give us repentance. As this spirit of repentance comes to us, we feel the same great desires that the people felt after King Benjamin’s marvelous discourse:
“And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2.)
Note the spirit that filled their souls after repentance: “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” This attitude only comes through proper repentance. This spirit is available to all of us.
In section 64 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord makes the following statement:
“Wherefore, I say unto you, that 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 forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” (D&C 64:9–10.)
As we understand this counsel we mature in the gospel and we receive even greater understanding. Again in the 98th section the Lord talks about those who forgive and bear patiently.
“Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
“But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you.
“And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundred-fold.
“And again, if he shall smite you the third time, and ye bear it patiently, your reward shall be doubled unto you four-fold.” (D&C 98:23–26.)
Only those who have borne up under such great testing will know what the Lord means when he says their reward shall be doubled unto them fourfold. This comes near loving our fellowmen as the Savior would have us love them. I have known a few Latter-day Saints who have been worthy to receive this great reward. Most of us cannot begin to understand the depths of comfort and blessing that those few have received. This attitude ought to be our goal.
This next verse from the Doctrine and Covenants should be stamped on the heart of every Latter-day Saint.
“And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.” (D&C 82:7.)
Repentance to be actual must endure. It cannot be something any of us takes lightly. Repentance is forever, and the Lord says he will remember our sins no more. We have a choice blessing in store as we forsake our sins and do them no more, for the Lord says in the 93rd section, verse 1:
“Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.” (D&C 93:1)
The Lord does not make idle promises. Let us live worthy of this blessing.
I pray for a special strength for all youth to come unto Christ, and as you do, all other things fade into obscurity.