Family Home Evening: Forgiveness
Purpose: Each of us has done something to hurt or disappoint someone else and most likely have had the same happen to us. These unfortunate acts can be small or they can be life-changing. It is sometimes easier for us to hold a grudge against someone who has wronged us, or hold back from forgiving ourselves if/when we’ve been the one to cause pain rather than exercise the powerful commandment of forgiveness. This lesson hopefully will help share some ideas on how to begin to forgive others and forgive yourself.
Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 58: 42-43
Lesson: In October 2006, a milk delivery man in Pennsylvania who had been experiencing some difficult tormented memories drove to an Amish schoolhouse and committed a terrible crime.
His actions that day left 5 little girls dead. His actions that day left a lot of broken hearts and created a lot of sorrow. However, the Amish community showed tremendous courage, love and a deep understanding of the healing power of forgiveness when they reached out to the shooter’s family.
President James E. Faust, in the April 2007 General Conference spoke about their remarkable example of forgiveness: (Excerpts in red from “The Healing Power of Forgiveness”)
“If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being. Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.
Dr. Sidney Simon, a recognized authority on values realization, has provided an excellent definition of forgiveness as it applies to human relationships:
Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.”
Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. The folly of rehashing long-past hurts does not bring happiness.
Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic.”
Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Recently . . . I encountered a large temporary sign declaring Rough Road Ahead, and indeed it was. Had I not been warned, that experience would have been disastrous. Life is like that. It’s full of rough spots. Some are tests to make us stronger. Others result from our own disobedience. . . . Each one of us encounters unique challenges meant for growth.” (“Finding Forgiveness”- New Era, March 2010)
Discussion:
What does forgiveness mean?
How do we forgive one another or ourselves?
When have we been forgiven and how did it make us feel?
Is there someone in our lives today that we can begin to forgive?
Church Video: “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light”
Activity:
Fill a bag or sack with five heavy objects (such as books or rocks) that have each been labeled with one of the following words: revenge, hurt, hate, resentment, and anger.
Have each family member take a turn trying to carry this heavy load. Explain that carrying those feelings in our hearts is an even greater burden than carrying the heavy bag.
When we really forgive, we forget all of these feelings and are free from the burden of carrying them.
Activity from lds.org
Treat:
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups cold milk
- 2 packages (4-serving size) chocolate flavor instant pudding & pie filling
- 1 tub (8 oz.) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed, divided
- 1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham Pie Crust
Directions
- 1. In large bowl beat milk and pudding mix with wire whisk for 1 minute. (Mixture will be very thick.) Whisk in half of whipped topping. Carefully spread in crust.
- 2. Spread remaining whipped topping over top.
- 3. Garnish as desired. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
