Forgive Them

In the classic novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Jane arrived at a boarding school for girls and noticed how one particular girl, Helen Burns, was severely treated by the women instructors and reprimanded unjustly. In a conversation that Jane subsequently had with Helen, this girl explained her philosophy and why she felt it was the right thing to do to just bear the punishment and seemed even to appreciate being corrected for her faults. Charlotte was taken aback and replied, “But I feel this, Helen; I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved.” To this Helen replied, “It is not violence that best overcomes hate—nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury…. Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how He acts; make His word your rule, and His conduct your example.” When Jane suggested that she could not love those who treated her unjustly, Helen continued, “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs. We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust, we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies; when debasement and sin will fall from us with this cumbrous frame of flesh, and only the spark of the spirit will remain,—the impalpable principle of light and thought, pure as when it left the Creator to inspire the creature: whence it came it will return; perhaps again to be communicated to some being higher than man—perhaps to pass through gradations of glory, from the pale human soul to brighten to the seraph!” She further expounded her own personal creed, explaining that she could “clearly distinguish between the criminal and his crime; I can so sincerely forgive the first while I abhor the last: with this creed revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low: I live in calm, looking to the end.” That is indeed a powerful creed to live by! If we could truly love and forgive all—even those who unjustly do us wrong—while still abhorring sin and rejecting wrong, we would be living as the Savior taught in word and deed.

               President Nelson also taught about forgiveness when he said this a couple years ago: “My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us. It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified. It can seem impossible to forgive those whose destructive actions have hurt the innocent. And yet, the Savior admonished us to ‘forgive all men.’” Though it can be extremely difficult, as Helen taught, life is too short to hang on to grudges and hold back our forgiveness, letting animosity canker our souls. What a powerful example the Savior gave us as he was brutally tortured by the Roman soldiers and then nailed to the cross by them. How did He respond? With this simple prayer to His Father: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” This was towards people who “mocked him” and were the instruments to inflict His death (Luke 23:34, 36). If He in the greatest of all agony because of the wickedness of others could forgive them in that moment, surely we can do more to forgive faster and more freely when we perceive that others have done us wrong. Like Shule from the Jaredites, we can forgive even a brother who had rebelled against their father and stolen away the kingdom. When Shule had finally regained it, and Corihor his brother appeared to have repented of his evils, “Shule gave him power in his kingdom” (Ether 7:13). Not only did Shule not punish his brother which would have surely been justified, but he still gave him some power in the kingdom when he believed his brother had truly repented. Shule had indeed forgiven Corihor (towards whom he had once been angry and waged battle) even when the previous wrongs had caused so much pain to their families. His example and that of the Savior’s invite us to forgive unconditionally, and Helen Burns’ words remind us that we can forgive and live in calm with hope for the future.