As we approach the end of another year, we often look back at what went well, what could have been better, regrets at time lost, sadness at people lost, joy for new additions, and a mix of nostalgia for the past.
The familiar strains of Auld Lang Syne echo in the air. It is a way to bid farewell to the past and to give thanks in these verses by Robert Burns[i]:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And old lang syne?
(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
You and I might not be buying a “pint cup,” but maybe we have “run the slopes,” “picked the daisies,” “wandered many a weary foot,” and “paddled in the stream.” Now there may be separation. And it might be time for reconciliation.
Our mental, emotional, and spiritual health improves as we create, repair, and strengthen relationships.
In the Church’s 12-step recovery guide, Healing through the Savior, The Addiction Recovery Program (ARP)[ii], Steps 8 and 9 are about making direct restitution to all persons we have harmed. ARP teaches us to: first, make a list of everyone we have harmed, including ourselves. We become willing to stop judging or shaming others. We learn that the Savior lifts the burdens of guilt and shame. We ask forgiveness and we forgive others. Then, like the sons the sons of Mosiah who went about “zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done,” (Mosiah 27:35), we desire to make amends. We pray for the Lord’s guidance about when and how to make amends. Then we humbly approach each person and offer reconciliation[iii].
In the October 2018 General Conference[iv], then Elder, now President Jeffrey R. Holland told the story of a man who became angry at his bishop during tithing settlement and subsequently left the church for 15 years. Then he responded to the heartfelt plea of his son and daughter to return. And he came back to church and faithfully lived out his life.
President Holland said: “Brothers and sisters, Jesus has asked that we “live together in love” with “no disputations among you.” “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me,” He warned the Nephites. Indeed, to a great degree, our relationship to Christ will be determined—or at least affected—by our relationship to each other.
“If ye … desire to come unto me,” He said, “and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—
“Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to [him], and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.”
President Holland concludes: “With the apostolic authority granted me by the Savior of the world, I testify of the tranquility to the soul that reconciliation with God and each other will bring if we are meek and courageous enough to pursue it. “Cease to contend one with another,” the Savior pled. If you know of an old injury, repair it. Care for one another in love.”
May the Lord bless us to lift a cup of kindness that we might repair, reconcile, and strengthen our relationship with Him and with those around us. May each of you have a wonderful New Year!
Notes:
[i] Retrieved December 28, 2024 from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Auld-Lang-Syne.
[ii] https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/ba/17/ba171fa7178911ee8cfaeeeeac1ebfe4521be944/
addiction_recovery_program_a_guide_to_addiction_recovery_and_healing.pdf
[iii] ibid. Excerpts from the addiction recovery program guide referenced above.
[iv] President Jeffrey R. Holland, The Ministry of Reconciliation, General Conference, October 2018.
