Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness #3

December 02, 2023

Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness #3

Hey Everybody!

The third week of MTC was great. We were at BYU's English Language Center learning how to teach english. In order to get our visas to Mongolia, the government requires us to complete a college level course on teaching English as a second language.

Yesterday we started immersion, which means the teachers here at the MTC only speak Mongolian. I am super pumped because "Preach My Gospel" was getting a little old. Also the added challenge of learning Mongolian makes the MTC much more stimulating.

Every night Elder Cook, Elder Huish, Elder Evans and I do pushups and pullups before reading scriptures and journaling. On Thursday night I got 110 pullups and 150 pushups. I continue to enjoy morning runs with Elder Arrington and Elder Huish around campus at 6:40 a.m. (Hit 27 pullups in a row this week)

Spiritual thought: Mercy

In the theatrical play "Les Misérables" the main character Jean Valjean was imprisoned for 19 years for stealing bread for his hungry niece. After serving his sentence, Valjean makes repeated failed attempts to reintegrate into society. As a last resort, he turns to the Bishop of a local church. In an act of charity, Bishop Myriel takes him in for a night. That night Valjean abruptly leaves and takes with him expensive silverware belonging to the Bishop. After being caught by law enforcement, the police take him back to the Church. The Bishop then tells the police that the expensive silverware was a gift to Valjean. This mercy extended by the bishop spared Valjean from prison and inspired him to change his ways.

When I was in seminary during high school, I let 10 or so online assignments pile up until the deadline. That night I wrote fake answers like "Have a nice day" and "I love that scripture". I had no idea the teachers actually read our answers... Yikes. The next monday, after seminary class our teacher Brother Leach came up to me with his phone and said 'what is this'. On his phone was a list of fake answers I had written that past weekend. I was overcome with guilt and embarrassment as I looked up to brother leach as a mentor and teacher. I'll never forget this, he looked at me and said "It's alright... I used to be your age, I know what it's like''.

Although on a scale of 1% of that in "Les Misérables", Brother Leach's mercy had a profound impact on me. I honestly believe that if he had shamed me or gotten angry I would have stopped trying. I would have stopped trying to be a "good church kid" whatever that means.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 6:37

"Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil". Matthew 6:9-15

To all the parents and teachers out there, I plead with you to show mercy when the opportunity arises. Handing down strong willed justice might be an individuals last straw and they might just stop trying. And if you choose mercy and forgiveness it may be what inspires them to turn to God, to keep trying, and extend grace towards others.

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice - Abraham Lincoln

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you - C.S. Lewis

With Love,

Elder Bateman