Finding forgiveness in impossible circumstances

A young girl witnessed the slaughter of her family in Rwanda. Yet, she miraculously forgave the killers. In 1994, Rwanda was torn apart by genocide. In the span of 100 days, approximately 1 million people were killed. An 11-year-old girl named Agnes Tiger Maria watched as her parents, four siblings, and much of her family were murdered by a neighbor. She survived, but the trauma stayed.

For 12 years, Agnes lived with a broken heart. She avoided people. She carried anger, sadness, and deep loneliness. She didn't know if healing was even possible. Years later, while studying at university, Agnes moved in with her cousin, a Latter-day Saint woman who shared videos about Jesus Christ and taught her about the Book of Mormon, which Agnes said helped her understand the Bible.

Agnes noticed something different about this church. the teachings, the way church members treated each other. She said they behaved like children of God. Agnes read the Book of Mormon. She attended church. And in 2010, Agnes chose baptism. But even as her faith grew, one question still haunted her. Will I ever see my family again? Are they still suffering? In 2012, Agnes entered the temple for the first time and was sealed to her parents and siblings for eternity.

And something changed. She said, "I started to smile again. I can be happy for a long time. I am peaceful with a forgiving heart." Then she said something almost unimaginable. I am able to forgive the killers of my family. For me, forgiveness is a gift I received through the gospel. Because I lost my family in genocide. I feel in me that church members are my brothers and my sisters.

Agnes didn't excuse evil. She didn't forget. But through Christ she was healed. This is the church around the world. Different countries, different pain, different stories, but the same savior.