"The Wednesday Letters" is THE DEVIL

The Wednesday Letters by John l. Frank

Brief synopsis;
Two old people die at the same time, at the end of a long marriage. Their three children with varying degrees of complicated lives return for the funeral and discover boxes and boxes of letters that the husband faithfully wrote to his wif every week (every wednesday) of their married life.

One family secret discovered is that the youngest son, Malcolm was fathered by his Mother's rapist. Later we find out that the rapist went to prison and then 'found God' and became a pastor in his parents' community. The Mother forgave the Pastor and harbors no ill will and the reader is led to believe that this is an example of the Mother's great goodness.

I disagree. I believe that this message is misleading and perhaps dangerous. Forgiveness is an interesting subject. On a large scale we are encouraged to forgive all men. The scriptures say "I the Lord forgive whom I will forgive but of you it is required to forgive all men". And the nature of forgiveness is clearly stated..."When a man repenteth I the Lord remember their sin no more". From this elementary glance at the scripture we might conclude that we ought to go through life harboring no grudges, remembering no guilt, and giving others lots of extra chances to change and be better and try again. Even if they offend us again and again and again.

This is a description of How we need to repent. God forgives us over and over, will never gove up and will always help us to progress. God also has the power to see into our hearts, knows our intentions, and can absovle sin.

As mortals we can not look into the future, we do not know the thoughts and intents of eachother. We also, though we aspire to be like Christ, are not divine. We do not have the power and ability to absolve sin, nor should we aspire to that.

Foregiveness in the case of serious sin; murder or sexual abuse is a difficult subject. An article in the addressed that issue a few years ago, it advised that those who had been offended to forgive by letting go of hate, but at the same time keeping themselves and their families safe by avoiding the perpetrator. We are counselled not the judge others unrighteously. In this command we are also obligated to judge others righteously, that is discerning between good an evil, righ and wrong. We are not to be "unequally yoked with unbelievers". I interpret this to mean that we need to make sure to help others, forgive, etc. But also avoid people that are very bad for us, potentually dangerous or harmful.

"ye are not meet to be commanded in all things but do many good things of our own good will and choice and bring to pass much righteousness"

Perhaps the best example of how to deal with repentant sinners comes from the representation of God on the earth; His church the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints;
The LDS church will put a note on the member ship record of any member who has ever been involved/accused of sexually abusing a child. Though I do not know of any specific situations, I imagine a person could fully repent of such a crime. The person could in theory be brought back into full fellowship in the church. The note of the record will always remain and precludes that person ever working with children in the church. The sin is not forgotten by the church.

We should follow the example of the church, forgive, but be cautious.

"The Wednesday Letters" with its simplistic misinterpretation of the principle of forgiveness promotes a dangerous idea. I fear that a naive or young victim of abuse might read it and think that reporting their abuse, or avoiding their abuser would fall into the category of "not forgiving". Reporting abuse is usually a difficult and embarrassing process. Young people should not also have to fight against false ideas about God and the nature of forgiveness. Abusers often use the threat of punishment by parents and even God as a way to control their victims and keep them quiet. The Author cannot be responsible for all the crazy ways his book with out a good plot or plausiblt story will be misinterpretted, however when someone introduces religous principles I believe he has an obligation to represent them fully and accurately. This book does not do this. It represents a half truth.

This book promotes a LIE.