Matthew Seven One and Two

I had the opportunity to go to the Latter-day Saint temple in Oakland in the early fall a few years ago. It was not until the bus crested the hill and descended a bit into the parking lot that I noted that we were way up in the hills overlooking Oakland, the bay and San Francisco. The vista was enough to take one's breath away. The day was already proving to be a very emotional one.

I attended to my work in the temple, communed with God for a time pleading for His help as I relinquished a sin that had been plaguing me for a long, long time, and then I headed back outside. As I emerged from the building onto the beautiful grounds amidst a couple of beautiful wedding parties frolicking and rejoicing in their joyful day - I looked out at the vista which, until that time, I had not been able to stop and enjoy.

I walked over to a concrete outcropping, surveyed the city and began to cry with weeping and body wrenching sobs. I saw the memories of my childhood and recalled that it was in that city that we children spent the only visit we were ever allowed with our mother and brother after he had been taken away.

I reflected, albeit briefly, on the paths our lives took after that event. My heart was so heavy as I looked at what, in one instant, became a symbol of all that was horrid about our childhood and I wept, for each of us. But, once again, I saw the hand of God in all the many trials and tribulations of our lives. And I saw it to be no mere coincidence that I would be back, full circle, to lay my burden of sin at the alters of the Lord in His Holy House in the city of Oakland.

As I stood there, thanking and praising God for all He has done to salvage us, the memories and recollections intensified. I have never truly grieved - not in my recollection anyway- over the extraordinary pain and anguish we each suffered through that stage of life. As all these thoughts flooded my mind, I began to be overcome with sorrow and extreme sadness.

And then, in the attitude of recognizing and grieving over that which we each did suffer, a thought struck me, to my very core. I fully appreciated that the actual and gut wrenching pain that I was recalling for each of us, the injured parties, would be meted out upon those who caused it.

As if on cue, it came to my mind the forgiveness I had fervently sought in the moments leading me to this spot, overlooking the past and below. And I pleaded, for the first time, that the mercy of God be extended to my father and his wife. I couldn't recall the chapter and verse then, though I had fully actuated the precept taught in Matthew 7:1-2.