Calling a congregation to action, Elder David E. Sorensen of the Seventy spoke Saturday morning April 5 of the essential doctrine of forgiveness.

"In much of today's popular culture, the virtues of forgiveness and kindness are belittled," Elder Sorensen said.

Despite environment, it is the individual's personal choice how to react in unfortunate circumstances.

"How will we react?" Elder Sorensen asked. "Will we take offense? Will we find fault? Will we let the passions of the moment overcome us?"

Family members and loved ones are often those who receive the greatest pain from one's criticism, Elder Sorenson said. He said festering bitter thoughts can escalate into abuse and divorce, breaking essential family relationships.

Therefore, people should pay special attention to forgive and to control themselves in passionate moments, he said.

"Make haste to remove ridicule," he said. "Remove resentment and anger."

This act of forgiveness is not an easy process, Elder Sorensen said. It is often an incredibly painful process, but with help from Christ, even our greatest pain can be removed.

"Christ, the Prince of Peace, teaches us a better way," Elder Sorensen said. "It can be very difficult to forgive those that do harm, but ... when we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our lives."

Agency allows one the opportunity to choose between good and evil. Elder Sorensen said that with Christ's assistance, we can be guided in righteous paths.

"We can focus on the future with God's love in our hearts," Elder Sorensen said. "May the seeds of unforgiveness ... never take home in our hearts."