Talk in Church

The primary gave a presentation in sacrament on Sunday and there were a few families asked to talk on different subjects. Our subject was Faith, Prayer, Repentence & Forgiveness. Dave wrote the talk,  I edited & we all read a portion of it. Here it is:


As we began preparing for this assignment we came to the realization that our family had been practicing the principles of faith, prayer, repentance, and forgiveness for the last six months because it was six months ago that a crime was committed against a member of our family. No witnesses and no evidence allowed the perpetrator of this crime to get away scott free. It was a double punch to the gut because of the nature of the crime, and the knowledge that the person who committed it was not going to be punished. The lack of closure left a hole in our lives that we filled with anger, hurt, and feelings of vengeance.

The Apostle Paul taught that "faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

We first put our faith in the knowledge that everything was going to be okay, that we were going to make it through as a family and make it through together. We put our faith in our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ, that they would be there to help give us guidance, support, love, and comfort.

Our Father in Heaven has promised us peace in times of trial and has provided a way for us to come to Him in our need. He has given us the privilege and power of prayer. He has told us to “pray always” and has promised He will pour out His Spirit upon us. (D&C 19:38.)


Next was prayer. We gathered together every night and prayed that we would be healed as a family and that we would gain something through this experience, whatever that might be. We prayed for each other and gained a new knowledge and deeper understanding of the love we share for each other in our family.


Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ—an acknowledgment of the power of His Atonement. We can be forgiven only on His terms. As we gratefully recognize His Atonement and His power to cleanse us from sin, we are able to "exercise [our] faith unto repentance" (Alma 34:17).


We had to repent for those thoughts and feelings and actions which were not in harmony with the teachings of Christ. Through repentance we have been able to think and live in a more Christ-like manner.


Perhaps the most difficult principle during this trial has been forgiveness. In Matthew 5:38-44 it says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”


The Lord has taught us “that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord: for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”


In other words, if you do not forgive, the greater of the sin will be with you. While our minds may be exercised with principles of faith, prayer and repentance - Forgiveness requires a conscious and continuous effort.


Through the continual act of forgiveness it will become easier to forgive those that have offended us through constant Faith, Prayer and Repentance of our feelings of anger or resentment toward those that have offended us.