Sunday Update

Sisters,
Hope you had a nice Fathers' Day at your house.

Sister Traci Cline taught today's lesson The Power of Forgiving which seemed especially significant in all of our lives for all have experienced the need not only to forgive another for some trespass, great or small, but also to be forgiven for something we have done to offend someone. The Prophet Joseph was the recipient of many insults and betrayals as he labored to do the will of the Lord in restoring the gospel and organizing the Church. Ever tender hearted he was quick to grant forgiveness to any who came to him seeking it sincerely. Mercy and justice ever marked the manner in which he dealt with the weak and the erring. This is an excellent example for us as we find ourselves faced with the opportunity to forgive the sin of someone who has wronged us, thus exercising mercy. We should then pray to Heavenly Father, to whom falls the responsibility for exercising justice, that He too might forgive the sinner. The Lord has commanded that we are to forgive one another, for the act of forgiving not only lifts and unburdens the sinner, but also helps the one sinned against for it is the only way he can be assured of gaining forgiveness when he needs it from another and from our Father in Heaven.
Holding grudges and failing to forgive cause us much more harm and sorrow than those we have failed to forgive, who often are not even aware that they have offended us, or at least how hurtful their actions were. To find peace and joy we must be slow to take offense and swift to grant forgiveness when the need arises. That is what we desire of others and especially of our Heavenly Father, therefore that is what we must expect of ourselves.

Have a great first week of summer!

The Relief Society Presidency