Compassion and Forgiveness

Sam. 2 9:6-8 Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And (Mepphibosheth) bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

Righteous people show compassion, mercy, and forgiveness to all. We should also show compassion to disabled people and serve them.

Mephibosheth was a cripple and the son of Jonathan, the grandson of King Saul. Technically Meph. could have had claim on the throne – but David shows him kindness. David shows forgiveness to Saul’s family. David even brings Meph. into his home and feeds him at his table as if he were family. David set a good example for us to follow in that he showed great compassion and forgiveness. 

Judges 6:13 Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

We can’t forget that Heavenly Father is still with us during times of trial. It may seem like He has forsaken us, but He is there waiting for us to ask for His help.

This verse sound like the one in D&C, when Joseph Smith was in prison and he is very sorrowful. He says, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” I love the Lord’s reply to Joseph. He says, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (D&C 121:1)

If we are “forsaken” then it is by our own choice. Heavenly Father always stands with open arms to forgive us and help us. I know many people who have a “forsaken” attitude because of their struggles. We all need to remember that, “our adversity shall be for a small moment”, and help is there for the asking.

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome.

The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fullness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer. The reason? They have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. We will still experience difficult challenges, but we will be able to face them, to meet them head-on, and to emerge victorious.

From the bed of pain, from the pillow wet with tears, we are lifted heavenward by that divine assurance and precious promise: ‘I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ Such comfort is priceless.” (Oct. 2013 General Conference)

I know that our Heavenly Father is a merciful and forgiving father. I know He will never forsake me.