Count Your Blessings Instead of Recounting Your Problems

Question

Dear Gramps,

Thru my eyes I was a mean mother and daughter with addictions.  I can never make this up to those I have injured. I selfishly took from everyone. I am an old woman now, and for 25 years I have tried to be the best mother and grandmother I can be. Still l I cry almost daily for the pain I caused everyone.  I can’t let it go.  President Nelson said, “Counting blessings is far better than recounting our problems.” Do you think he meant our past also?  Thank you Angels with Gramps.

Marie

Answer

Marie,

The easy answer to your question is an emphatic yes. If we look to the Book of Mormon we can confirm this answer through the lament of Nephi, 2 Nephi 4:17-19,

“Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

“I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

“And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.”

A principle to ponder, remember, that every sin we have committed is in the “past.” The Lord’s atonement is infinite and eternal, and as such it covers the sins of our past, and the sins we will yet commit. Now, you might be thinking, “Well, yes, I understand what Nephi is saying but I didn’t live a life like Nephi. I am not as good as he was.” If so, remember Nephi was teaching a principle that the Lord wanted everyone who reads the Book of Mormon to understand. And that principle of truth is to “know in whom [we] trust.” We trust, in the Lord’s grace. His bounteous tender mercies and love that he can only offer us.

Let’s move past Nephi and lets discuss for a moment the life of Saul. Saul was a honest seeker of truth. He desired to do what was right before the Lord according to the knowledge he had. In accordance with that knowledge, although with “good” intention (he thought he was doing God’s will), he persecuted the Saints of his God.

To read the read of the answer: askgramps.org