Last Friday night, I watched a TV show about two young people meeting and falling in love.  They came from decidedly different backgrounds and each had some shockingly deep regrets in their life.  It was one of the best shows I’ve seen about being “real” with life and our choices.  I watched as the two of them overcame stereotypes and told the truth to each other about things they were not proud of.  It showed their mistakes, poor choices  and ability to forgive (or not forgive) themselves and others.  I wish I knew the name of the show, but, unfortunately, I do not.

The guy was highly educated, yet working in what seemed to be a warehouse.  Why?  Because he had just served 10 years in prison.  He had been intoxicated and punched a guy as hard as he could for insulting his girlfriend (all those years ago).  The guy he punched fell, hit his head and died.  The main character could hardly live with himself each day, knowing someone had died because of him.  He felt unworthy of happiness.  He kept himself separate from spiritual beliefs.  After the couple broke up, the father of the boy who died visited the man who had served prison time.  He got his feelings of upset off his chest, then let the younger man know that he had forgiven him.  Before that, that father had lost everything because of his bitterness.  The father said that what made the difference, causing a change in his heart, was a sincere apology letter the young man had written and the solace and forgiveness he was able to find while being led to let God into his life beginning by reading  the words of the Bible.  He gave the young man the Bible and told him that he forgave him.

The reason I’m writing this post is because of one of the lines in that show.  It stuck with me and I now share it with you.  The father said to the young man, “SOMEDAY YOU MAY REALIZE THAT A FATHER CAN FORGIVE ANYONE OF ANYTHING!

I know that our Heavenly Father has that capacity.  I know that because of the infinite ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, all men can be forgiven if they repent and turn to God with full purpose of heart.  I have watched this transformation in many people.  I have also taken this counsel unto myself.  What a blessing!

I also know that He can heal and help all those who have been bruised, battered, torn or injured (physically or emotionally) because of the acts of others, for He has done so unto me.

Now, I found this video today.  I was not intending to write a post, but feel compelled to post this because of how it moved my soul.  May God bless and comfort you as you watch, “Forgiveness:  My burden was made light”

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NOTE:  The word Atonement “describes the setting ‘at one’ of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin.” (Bible Dictionary, “Atonement,” 617). . .

Jesus Christ was the only one capable of performing the magnificent Atonement because He was the only perfect man and the Only Begotten Son of God the Father. He received His commission for this essential work from His Father before the world was established. His perfect mortal life devoid of sin, the shedding of His blood, His suffering in the garden and upon the cross, His voluntary death, and the Resurrection of His body from the tomb made possible a full Atonement for people of every generation and time.

quoted from:  Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., “What Does the Atonement Mean to You?”, Liahona, April 2009, 14–19 From an address given at Brigham Young University Women’s Conference on May 5, 2006.

About Carolyn Calton

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