The story is told in the Talmud that, during the Exodus, when Moses, under God’s direction and by His authority, allowed the waters of the Red Sea to fall upon the Egyptian army, thus ensuring the safety of the Children of Israel, the angels in Heaven rejoiced and sang praises to God. I’m certain that the Children of Israel rejoiced as well and sang praises to God for their deliverance. But according to the Talmud, God said, “My children are drowning, and ye sing me praises?”

God loves ALL His children, even those who actively oppose His will. He loves even those who sin (which includes everyone, except Jesus). He even loves ME in all my imperfections and sins.

This week in the Come Follow Me curriculum, we studied Doctrine & Covenants section 18. In verses 10-13, God says, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!” God loves all His children. He is pulling for us. Jesus Christ is our greatest cheerleader. He made it possible for us (for ME) to repent, to be forgiven, to be perfected in Him. Without Jesus, none of this is possible.

He also says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Mathew 5: 43-44) In D&C 64:10, He says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”

Why is this so important? Why does He REQUIRE us to forgive ALL? I believe it is because (among other reasons) that to refuse to forgive ANYONE is to deny the power of Jesus Christ to atone for MY sins. If I refuse to forgive even those who hate me and persecute me, then I don’t really believe His atonement is infinite in its scope and power. It means that I don’t really believe He can redeem ME. If I want to be redeemed, I must forgive everyone, no matter what they have done.

Because God loves even the ancient army of Egypt. And He mourns when they choose to fight against His will, the only true path to happiness. Jesus suffered and died to save even the Egyptian army. And we know that the gospel is being preached in the Spirit World, even to them. Even to Pharoah. Because He still wants to redeem them. He still wants to save them.

Just as He still wants to redeem ME.