Dr. Seuss said once that you don't know the value of something until it becomes a memory. Is there value in all our memories? I believe there is. Memories can fill you with the sweetest of emotions and at times with the greatest of shames and everything in between. There is a scientific origin as well as a spiritual origin for memories. Science tells us that our memories are stored in the hippocampus portion of our brain. Every recording of a new memory causes the brain to make new connections between neurons. Once a long-term memory has taken form, it is difficult to be undone. (Miller, 2010). Some long-term memories recalled often can disrupt lives such as in the case of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
How is it that people can have healing of such memories that cause intense emotions such as with the loss of a loved one? Elder L. Tom Perry described these as eternal memories and it is a matter of having an eternal perspective of these memories. We can right wrongs through repentance of our mistakes and being born of the Spirit. The bitterness of moments will no longer have a negative effect on you through the Atonement of Christ. You can receive peace in your mind and heart as you rely on our Savior in faith. As Elder Dale G. Renlund said in a general conference address, "God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than who we once were." (Elder G. Renlund, Latter-Day Saints Keep on Trying, 2015). We cannot hope to find healing in continually looking back at past mistakes, either of our own doing or of others.
In the Book of Genesis we learn about Lot's wife and the destructive effect of not being able to press forward in faith. Lot was commanded to take his family and flee from Sodom and Gomorrah: "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Genesis 19:17). "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26). Although we may not face literally turning into a pillar of salt, our inability to seek forgiveness or forgive others, can be destructive to our peace of mind and redemption of our soul.
In the previously mentioned conference address by Elder Renlund, he shares what President Thomas S. Monson taught concerning this: "One of the greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure need be final." He continues, "Even if we've been a conscious, deliberate sinner or have repeatedly faced failure and disappointment, the moment we decide to try again, the Atonement of Christ can help us. And we need to remember that it is not the Holy Ghost that tells us we're so far gone that we might as well give up. God's desire that [we] keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges, or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else's sins, the Savior's infinite Atonement can heal even--and perhaps especially--those who have innocently suffered. He understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another's transgression. As prophesied, the Savior will 'bind up the brokenhearted,...give...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, [and] the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.'"
Further Elder Perry taught, "Each of us makes daily entries in our book of life. Occasionally we take it from the shelf and examine the entries we are making. What kind of memories will flood our minds as we examine the pages of our personal entries? How many pages will contain 'I wish I had' entries? Will there be entries of procrastination and failure to take advantage of special opportunities? Will you find there entries of thoughtlessness in treatment of family, friends, or even strangers? Will there be those of remorse resulting from acts of unrighteousness and disobedience? Will they be marked with acts of dishonesty and lack of trust? Will there be entries showing a lack of faith and a turning to the destructive powers of worldliness?
Fortunately, each day brings a clean, white page on which to change entries from 'I wish I had' to 'I’m glad I did,' through the process of recognition, remorse, repentance, and restitution. The harder we try to make the many 'I’m glad I did' entries each hour of each day, the more 'I wish I had' marks will retreat into the corners of our minds. Feelings of depression for past acts or missed opportunities will then turn to memory banks filled with exhilaration and enthusiasm and with the joy of living." (Elder L. Tom Perry, Making Memories, 1993).
I am so grateful for second, third, fourth (and so on) chances made possible because of the love and sacrifice of our Savior and Heavenly Father. I can honestly say that I love who I am today because of the struggles, heartache, disappointment, and sorrow I faithfully overcame. May you also have the courage to rise above your troubles and find peace in our Lord, and someday look back at hard times and see them as milestones to the rise of a better you.
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