Remember them no more.

“You are in it; all of us are in it. Lehi’s dream or vision of the iron rod has in it everything a… Latter-day Saint needs to understand the test of life.” President Boyd K. Packer

Here’s one thing this Latter-day Saint needed:

Forgiveness is permission to repent, permission to change.

Perhaps his obedience to God allowed Nephi the perspective to frankly forgive his brothers.

Maybe it was the light of the tree by which Lehi stood that helped him truly see his loved ones who chose not to come and partake.

I’d argue it was the very love of God he had tasted that allowed and motivated Lehi to keep calling out to his sons who refused his invitations.

I was reminded of the Lord’s words to Moses when He “multiplied the signs and wonders in Egypt” through plagues.

As part of His instruction to Moses for each plague in Exodus, the Lord offers, “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…”

The Joseph Smith Translation provides clarity: “And Pharaoh will harden his heart…”

The Lord announces the signs and wonders He will send, each time allowing Pharaoh the chance to soften his heart.

Pharaoh never did. Yet the Lord gave him every opportunity to change.

Nephi frankly forgave. Lehi kept calling to those wandering in darkness. The Lord sent another plague.

Continual gifts were given and hands extended, often left unopened, unnoticed, or purposely rejected.

The subjects of their loving permission rejected every offer, yet offers still came.

That is simply because “partaking of the fruit thereof filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”

I picture the treks I’ve taken to that tree to partake of the fruit. Imagine if I were to be met with reminders of how long I’d stumbled in the darkness before finding the rod instead of with a welcoming embrace?

Woven into my prayers from now on will be the plea to never be the one to remind another of who and what they’ve so desperately tried to outgrow with the Savior’s help.

Keep calling, keep inviting, keep forgiving.

“Through the Father’s redeeming plan, those who may stumble and fall “are not cast off forever” (Book of Mormon title page)… Could there be any more sweeter or more consoling words, more filled with hope, than those words from the scriptures? “I, the Lord, remember [their sins] no more” (D&C 58:42). That is the testimony of the Book of Mormon, and that is my testimony to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” President Boyd K. Packer

Permit them to change, as the Savior does us.