30 "And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things."
This scripture changed my life today. I have new knowledge, and accordinlgy, a new power: I can understand, and I can heal. I feel emotional.
This process has taught me a lot. My heart aches for all of mine and my children's pain in the now, but also, I feel a sense of joy. I don't ever have to be here again. I can choose a different story. Knowledge is power- it is the power to change and shape a new future. Knowledge gives power to adapt. Not just for myself; I hope we can all shape a new and better future.
Yet, in healing, the lesson does not have to be taken away or forgotten. In fact, it is of the most importance that the lesson is retained and heeded. There seems to be a prejudice to remembering the lessons. Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiveness is letting go; it is accepting. It also remembering you chose to let go and accept. And it is remembering why.
That's one thing I love about the Book of Mormon. It is kind of like a journal of lessons which have been learned before. It isn't that the characters we read about haven't been forgiven. In fact, many times, that is exactly why their story is recorded. They were once lost to transgressions and the hatred of the world, but upon discovering Christ, their lives and their hearts are changed. They become brand new and whole. They have a fire lit inside of them. They experience real joy and hope for the first time ever.
Our lives can be full of impactful lessons, too. Let go of the disappointments and sorrows, but, please, never forget the lessons. And never quit striving for the good. The world can only become a better place one day, and one lesson, at a time.
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