no. 11

"I invite all of us to forgive completely

and let healing occur from within.

And even if forgiveness does not come today,

know that as we desire it and work for it,

it will come."

-Elder Larry Echo Hawk, "Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye", General Conference April 2018

All of us, at one time or another, have found it difficult to forgive. I am inspired by the resilience, love, and forgiveness of Corrie ten Boom. During World War II, Corrie and her family hid hundreds of Jews to protect them from being sent to concentration camps. After being betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen, her entire family was imprisoned. Corrie miraculously survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp and spent the rest of her life traveling and teaching about the power of forgiveness and love.

One day after speaking at a church in Munich, Corrie was approached by one of her captors, who extended his hand and asked if she would forgive him.

The soldier stood there expectantly, waiting for Corrie to shake his hand. She said she “wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. For I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us.”

Corrie remembered that forgiveness is an act of the will — not an emotion. “Jesus, help me!” she prayed. “I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.”

Corrie thrust out her hand.

“And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.
“I forgive you, brother!” I cried. “With all my heart.” (Corrie ten Boom, with Jamie Buckingham, Tramp for the Lord. [London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1975], 217–218).

As we, like Corrie ten Boom, do our part and put forth the motion, our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ will always add the feelings. I add my testimony to that of our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, when he declared, “Through His infinite Atonement, you can forgive those who have hurt you and who may never accept responsibility for their cruelty to you. It is usually easy to forgive one who sincerely and humbly seeks your forgiveness. But the Savior will grant you the ability to forgive anyone who has mistreated you in any way. Then their hurtful acts can no longer canker your soul.”

Facebook post by Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, March 1, 2019. (emphasis added)