How to Forgive a Murderer

Anyone living in Sweden has not been able to go untouched by Engla and her tragic story. She is the ten-year-old girl who was recently abducted and killed by a middle aged man in central Sweden. In a newspaper yesterday I read something that moved me to tears. It was an open letter from Engla’s family. Here’s a copy of it:

“Vi vill tacka för den enorma uppslutningen stöd och engagemang från alla som varit vid vår sida under sökande och i vår sorg, som blivit allas våran sorg.
Engla var en tjej som spred ljus och glädje.
Engla har alltid vetat att hon skulle bli något speciellt, nu vet vi att hon blev en ljusbärare som förenar våra hjärtan över hela världen. Vi känner tillsammans och påverkas av varandra. Vi förstår att vi är ett.
Snälla ta hand om varandra och var varlig mot vår jord.
Vi får frågor om vad vi känner för 42-åringen - Folk kan bara gå till sig själva och känna, så förstår de vad vi känner. Att han har erkänt gör att vi kan släppa oron för att Engla fortfarande far illa någonstans.
Vårt liv kommer aldrig att bli sig likt men vi kommer att kämpa för att hitta en vardag för oss och våra barn, där vi vill hitta ett sätt att bära Englas ljus vidare till något stort och positivt för alla.
Frid och kärlek
Carina, Torbjörn, barnen”

This 42-year-old murderer is the most despised person in Sweden at the moment. Anyone who’s had the chance to say anything about him has used words of hatred and disgust. Now Engla’s family had the opportunity to speak, and if any had the right to feel hatred it would be this family, of course. But in their words to us, they choose another path, regardless of the crushing heartache they must be experiencing, caused by this man; they choose the path of “peace and love”.

Although they do not explicitly say they forgive their daughter’s killer, they want to tell us that light and love is a better way than ill-feeling and hatred. They don’t place much focus on the murderer, but rather what we all – and not just their family – can bring with us into the future that will help make this world a better place.

There has been a kind of an Engla fever in the media. Everyone is writing and talking about it, ever since she disappeared; the business of finding Engla - and now grieving for her - has become everyone’s business. The whole nation is united in heart and purpose in way that is quite unusual to see. I feel it almost dreadful to say, but her death has brought so many others to life. And this is actually what I think is the core message from her family. I quote in part:

“Engla always knew that she was going to be something special, and now we know that she became a light-bearer that united our hearts all over the world… We understand that we are one…. Our life will never be the same but we will strive to return to everyday life… where we will find a way to carry the light of Engla onward to something great and positive for us all.”

I think this viewpoint is commendable beyond words. What a great example for us all, turning this tragedy into something hopeful for our society. I can only hope that I would have the same strength in that situation; for many of us it would be hard. But wherever we are in life, we could learn from this family, that hate and revenge is not the answer; that it will in truth only hurt us more than whichever offender we direct our anger at. Rather, we could push forward in a positive spirit, putting away the gloom of hate, and like Engla’s family carry a warm light with us instead.

I wish God’s choicest blessings for the Engla, now in her heaven, and for her sweet family.

President Gordon B Hinckley has passed away

The saddest news just reached me: Our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, has left us at age 97. For twelve years he has been the most exemplary leader for the Church, and he will be missed. Here is the full story:

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

On hearing the news my first instinct made me just kneel and thank God for letting us have president Hinckley with us for so many years. Words cannot describe how much he has touched the hearts of millions, including my own. I hope we can build upon the legacy he left behind.

In this state of mixed emotions I shed a lot of tears; I am sad, and feel a great void, because of his passing; but there are also tears of gratitude for what he has accomplished, and also happiness that he now has come home to God, and will be able to meet his dear companion, Marjorie, again. That is my faith and my conviction.

Our Prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Good Days or Great Days?

The thought of the day comes from Lance Armstrong:

“I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days.”

I like that approach. Perhaps the choices we have are not between good or bad, but between good and great. In other words, with a positive outlook my life will always be good, and with some extra effort it can even be great.

I took this photo an early autumn morning. The sun is just rising, casting its rays on the water and the birch trees. I remember this day. God gave it a great start, and because I wanted it, it became even greater.

Christ Heals Family

One of my duties as a CES Coordinator is to visit teachers and students in their various classes, assisting with administrative matters. Last night, as I met with a class in central Sweden, I spoke at length with the teacher about her recent family tragedy. Her twenty-one year old son had passed away a month ago in a motor accident.

She explained that even though there had been many tears and a feeling of void in their lives, there had still been light - even peace. I asked her how it was possible? She spoke calmly but resolute: “It’s because of Christ.” I thought for a second about others who have expressed similar words, and although I for the most part have little reason to doubt their sincerity, there was something different about this woman. She really meant what she said. I could see it in her countenance; still the same person, yes, but different still.

“How do you mean?” I asked. She explained that she had always believed in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, at least in theory. “But now”, she said, “I know it really works!” Excitement gathered in her eyes as she continued, speaking also for her family: “Even though we have known that Christ has taken all our burdens upon himself, we have never felt it the way we do now. There are no why’s or if’s! Just a peaceful assurance that God is with us, lifting us when our own strength fails us.”

Many times have I felt the power of Jesus’ atonement. His healing power is real, no doubt. But I was still awestruck by the words I heard (and there were many more) last night. In a moment when most people would resort to despair and perhaps fear, this family had opened its heart to God - and was healed.

When we parted she thanked me sincerely for coming. “No problem,” I said, a little ashamed, “but… I should be the one thanking you!” I had come there hoping to give something to this teacher and her family, but I knew it was I who was at the receiving end.

Thank you.

Al Gore and the Divine Irony

I certainly don’t have all the answers, but when things happen I’d like to think there is always a meaning - somewhere, somehow. Many are familiar with Isaiah’s words from the Old Testament: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” (55: I take this to mean that even though we don’t always understand the turn of certain events, there is someone else who does.

I’m not sure if there is something that’s called divine irony, but if there is I think we may have gotten a glimpse of it today. When Al Gore lost the presidential office to George W Bush in 2000 he had more votes in his pocket than Mr Bush. Gore’s loss seemed shattering, and we had doubts, at least here in Sweden, about his survival on the political scene. If someone would have told me then that Al Gore would go and win the Nobel Peace Price today, seven years later, I would have shrugged my shoulders in doubt - no doubt.

So… what can be better than winning the presidential election of the United States? Loosing it, of course! And then becoming more respected as a non-president. And trying to save the planet. And becoming more popular. Then winning the Nobel Peace Price.

God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t He? That’s the divine irony of the matter. His matter.

Louis

And the Winner is…

…Doris Lessing. Finally. She has already won all prizes imaginable, but still she was rather taken back when the Swedish media interviewed her after the Nobel Academy had made its announcement about the Nobel 2007 Litterature price. She explained that she never expected the price, not because of some pretended humility, but simply because she was told by the Academy members forty-five years ago that she would never get the price. Their reasons? It was put to her: “We don’t like you!”

As I Swede, I am glad to say that my countrymen have adopted a better taste for diplomacy. Now we’ve learned how to talk to people. So hopefully she’ll forgive us and accept the price. After all… it’s a pretty nice price.