September 23-29: 3 Nephi 8-11

Topic: Forgiveness from God.

The manual emphasizes that Jesus Christ is eager to forgive, but I question the idea that God or Christ need to forgive us. This leads us to explore our relationship with God, the nature of sin, and the true essence of forgiveness. Contrary to common beliefs, forgiveness is more about the victim letting go and moving forward, rather than a divine memory wipe or erasure of offenses.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I share how I once felt forgiven by God, only to later realize it was more about me letting go of guilt. I argue that our misdeeds don't harm God, an omnipotent being, and thus, the concept of seeking God's forgiveness feels hollow. Instead, acknowledging our wrongdoings and making amends brings us closer to God.

Drawing parallels to parenting, I critique the notion that children's misbehavior is an offense to parents, suggesting it fosters conditional love and psychological baggage. I propose that many project these poor parenting practices onto God, leading to the belief in the necessity of divine forgiveness.

Ultimately, I believe our Heavenly Parents love us unconditionally. To grow closer to God, we must repair the harm we cause and mature in our behavior, letting go of guilt and forgiving ourselves. This self-forgiveness is often mistaken for divine forgiveness within the traditional framework.