"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7; 3 Nephi 12:7)

#LightTheWorld #day15 Merciful/Mercy: "The spirit of compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness. Mercy is one of the attributes of God. Jesus Christ offers mercy to us through His atoning sacrifice." (Guide to the Scriptures)

I have to confess something about myself. For years I was very cruel, unforgiving, talked badly about, and behaved shamefully towards someone. There was no mercy given to them for small mistakes, or unintended hurts, or anything that was less than perfect. I was unaware of this behavior until I was ready to hear the truth about how I was treating them. I didn't recognize the need for change until I learned that, honestly, I would never ever treat anyone else so deplorably. The person I was so cruel to was myself.

In that moment of understanding I wanted to change, to truly repent of how cruel to myself I had been, for pretty much all my life. I needed clear understanding and knowledge about the commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Mark 12:31,33). And the application of the teaching, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7; 3 Nephi 12:7).

As I have been more compassionate and forgiving of myself, I have been able to be even moreso to others. It feels so good to truly love and not feel the need to "compete". I continue to work on this, to repent daily- which really means to turn towards God. I love that "...mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles [me] in the arms of safety... [as I] have faith unto repentance" (Alma 34:16).

If there was one thing I could tell you today it is that God is a just God and a merciful God. He wants the very best for you. He would tell you: "Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself. Love yourself as I do." Because when we do offer ourselves these gifts of mercy, love, and compassion; they are easier to give them to others. And we all need mercy. That is one of the gifts Jesus offers us every day as we turn our hearts to Him. This I testify. 

God is merciful and just.

God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Offering mercy to ourselves and others goes a long way!

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

One of the suggestions for #LightTheWorld #day6 is to apologize to someone that you owe an apology to. I need to apologize to a person whom I love dearly but I am not sure this is the forum to do it. But just thinking about Lighting the World, I have had some thoughts about why I should forgive.

I am sometimes way too quick to find fault with this person (see D&C 88:124). I don't always understand why they behave in certain ways or say things that may drive me crazy. I am really sorry that I have not always been a better listener as you have shared your thoughts and ideas.

I read a quote from Elder Russel M. Nelson and I believe it needs to apply not only to neighbors, but also to those "neighbors" that we live with, our family members. This is what he said: "Opportunities to listen to those of diverse religious or political persuasion can promote tolerance and learning. And a good listener will listen to a person's sentiments as well" (Listen to Learn).

I can be a much better listener. Doing so does not mean I totally agree with all you say or do. But what it can do is help develop more patience, more understanding, less judging or finding fault with others. I know that as I try and apply this godly virtue, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will magically understand me either. But that's okay because we are required to forgive all men...even if they don't behave or think, or even receive justice as we may think they need to be given (see D&C 64:10).

Judge not, that ye be not judged for me includes less condemnation and less fear. Over the years I have thought I was pretty good at giving people "outs" for certain behaviors or ideas, or even the use of words that I may find to be offensive. I now realize that I need to be more willing to offer those "outs" to everyone and not just the people who live next door. I will keep trying, and do more to "judge not".