Week 40: Forgiveness

Well My dear Friends and Family,

This week I have learned a lot about the topic of "forgiveness." It seems as if the Lord is trying to tell me by shouting it at me! It started off by me picking the topic of Forgiveness to study every morning, then came the practice and the additional help from the savior! That's what I’m gonna call it. HAHA

One thing that I want to share with you all comes from "True to the Faith." This book explains everything so very clearly. And under the Topic of Forgiveness it devides Forgiveness into two seccions:

1. Seeking Forgiveness from the Lord - This one is probably the one that most people think most of. It is something we do when we repent. We "ask for forgiveness and then we promise never to do it again." something I learned from my mother many times! We should plead for forgiveness from the lord for our sins and day-to-day weaknesses. We are all human and make mistakes. We all have weaknesses especially that "prevent ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has been ready to give us" (pg 70). However if we are continuously asking for forgiveness every time we sin or mess up, we can receive the Lords forgiveness which brings "relief, comfort, and joy" (pg 70). I am truly grateful for this gift that I have been given to be forgiven for my weaknesses that I have as a human. All our Father in Heaven is doing is waiting for us to repent and ask his forgiveness. We shouldn’t wait to receive the blessings He wants us to have.
2. Forgiving others - This other way of Forgiveness is the one that may be more difficult for most of us. For me it is huge. In some situations I feel as if I hold the right to not forgive because I did not hold the fault. "It is easy to become bitter or angry or vengeful in such situations, but this is not the Lord's way" (pg 71). The Lord commanded us to forgive everyone in Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10, "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 have found these verses helpful in making the decision to forgive. My dear loved ones, Let us "Abandon feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge... ...you will find that forgiveness can heal terrible wounds, replacing the poison of contention and hatred with the peace and love that only God can give" (pg 72).

I love you all so very much. I have learned the hard way through many people and experiences that forgiveness is essential. We must forgive our fellow brothers and sisters in this life if we are to ever experience love for each other. And I find great joy in loving EVERYONE around me.

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

Thank you all so much for all the support that we as missionaries receive from you all! Whether it be through an email, a letter or a small prayer. We feel your support every day as we carry the message of the restored gospel to our fellow brothers and sisters. I love you all very much and am looking forward to the day where we will all be united once more with our Father in Heaven. Much love!

Elder Stonely

Guess who won the coin-toss for driving privileges today?

Couldn't resist rubbing Buddha's tummy.

This is for the girls out there. I hear it makes me look cuter. HAHA

Authentic Mexican salsa and...Saltines???

Yep, I always win the coin toss!

Mission Meeting.