Forgiveness

Twice yearly my church does a worldwide broadcast where the church leadership speaks and addresses all the membership and the world.  The leaders of the various organizations within the church speak, so we hear from a variety of men and women speaking about many different topics.  These weekends are called General Conference, and are held on the first weekends in April and October. 

I really liked a talk from Saturday morning this weekend about forgiveness.  It was given by Kevin R. Duncan, and he opened with the remark, "There is not a soul alive who will not, at one time or another, be the victim to someone else's careless actions, hurtful conduct, or even sinful behavior.  That is one thing we all have in common."

My mind began to wander towards the little things that are frustrating to me about the other people I deal with regularly.  I need to forgive those little offenses, realize the person is behaving that way because of something going on in his life, not mine, then them go. 

What about the big offenses?  The ones that create real harm, injury, emotional or physical pain?  Elder Duncan mentioned in the talk that forgiveness is really more for the person doing the forgiving.  If you forgive someone, that doesn't mean that there will be no justice for the one who wronged you.  "What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit."  Alma 42:25 

Because there needs to be a balance between justice and mercy, Christ came to bridge the gap between them.  He suffered for our perpetrator's sins, wrongs, and offenses, so that we need only forgive Him, and He shall take care of the justice end.  He also suffered for my individual sins and mistakes, so that He can offer me mercy when I need it.

"And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." Alma 42:15

I also liked the idea that I need to look at people more the way God sees them.  Elder Duncan mentioned we look at other people the way we see an iceberg, and that there's a lot below the surface which God knows about in others that we never see.  I try to remember this when I'm dealing with difficult people, that I'm only seeing the tip of the iceberg and there are likely many other factors making this person behave this way.  As a trainer, with horses I feel fortunate to have the knowledge and skills to often determine these other factors in challenging training situation.  But I'm a terrible mind reader of humans and I don't have nearly as much accuracy with guessing about two legged mammals.

To paraphrase slightly, Elder Duncan mentions that as mortal humans on this traveling rock through the universe we are all victims, and we are all offenders.  He also gave a nod to the current political climate in the US by rephrasing a familiar scripture,

For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Sam 16:7

"God looketh not upon the color of the sports' team jersey, nor upon the political party."

One more thought I liked from this talk was in reference to running my business as a horse trainer.  I feel like often in the horse industry, especially when there are shows and prize money on the line, we professionals think of each other as competition.  I much prefer the idea that we are colleagues, each with our own set of skills, strengths, and weaknesses.  Elder Duncan said that "Our genuine concern should be for the success of others" and I agree.  I much prefer to rejoice with my colleagues on their accomplishments and good scores, to feel pleased that they are having success with their clients and in the show ring.  As I get to know them better I am then able to refer my own clients to them when I'm unable to address a certain issue or circumstance, and it becomes more of a comfortable partnership.  Colleagues, not competition.