Comments about ‘Father relies on faith to forgive intoxicated teen driver’

Unfortunately our society society is obsessed with punishment. Many feel that the only way to find peace is to have the offender executed or imprisoned for a long time under harsh conditions. We often hear the the term closure. Justice does not bring closure. Only the savour can heal pain and grief. Our criminal justice system is imperfect and always will be. It is imperfect because we as mere mortals are imperfect. I the the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive. We are required to forgive all, even murderers.

Amen.

I think the key to healing from terrible tragedies, the toxicity of others and even the small offenses, is repenting, forgiving and loving. I call this the inter-connected triangle of living and enduring in joy. My job is to forgive and love others as I would be loved. I have no control over what course of action others may take; I can only put my own house in order, clean up my own side of the street, and view and treat others with the same mercy and justice I want for myself.

Sadly, I have learned from considerable personal experience, that not forgiving is more toxic to the unforgiving, than dealing with the forgiven. I have declared many a Jubilee of Forgiveness for hurts and offenses; and I can unequivocally say – it is easier for me to be in my skin because of my forgiveness of such. I feel better when I repent of my sins, when I forgive others, when I love and do unto others as I would have them do unto me – no matter what they do or how they change their behavior towards me. So – it all begins with MOI!

In my life, I have never (and I hope and pray I never) experienced a tragedy like Chris. Having said that, when I've been wronged or injured in some way, I've discovered how much better life is when I forgive the person.

In high school when I was injured in an accident and ended up on crutches for several weeks, it was easy for me to go to the person who caused the accident and say, "I forgive you." As a matter of fact, this person and I became closer friends as a result.

I would say in my life, the one person I have found most difficult to forgive has been myself. I'm sure many others can say the same.

I think you can have both - peace and justice. Certainly this drunk driving teen SHOULD be held accountable for what he did - essentially murdering innocent people. When a person gets behind the wheel of a speeding car in a drunken state it is the same as firing off a loaded gun into a crowd. This kid needs to spend many years of prison time - hard time - thinking about what he did. As far as forgiving - I tip my hat to Chris for being able to forgive - at least to the extent of not being consumed with anger and hate which is in itself defeating. Christ can and will carry our sorrows. Also - only Christ can judge so as far as the eternal fate of this drunk driver - that is up to the Savior as far as the law of justice. Here on earth those loved ones left behind can have peace - not as the world gives but only as the Savior can give.

I think this is a story that transcends religions and philosophies. I had a friend who also lost a child in traffic accident who told me that ultimately forgiving others is something you are really doing for yourself. Hatred is an acid that destroys the vessel that contains it. If you can't let go of it, it does destroy you.

Unfortunate is the fact that evidently relatively few read this story, judging from the number of comments that have submitted.

Possessing the attitude of forgiving that Chris Williams demonstrates, who doesn't just talk about it but obviously practices it, is indeed the essence of true Christian discipleship.

If we who profess belief in Christianity find ways to justify an attitude of less than what we see from Chris, we'd be extremely hard-pressed to convince a jury of our Christian discipleship.

This is such an inspiring story. I am so far from reaching the point that Chris Williams has in his life, but I am so moved by his example. The Savior truly is the only source of this power and grace. It is too bad that more people haven't commented on this article. I read the BYU and Utah sports artiicles and comments frequently, and the spirit of those articles is nothing like this. What an incredible world this would be if we could all follow our Lord and Savior and cultivate this forgiving attitude.

I feel blessed to have listened to Chris' radio interview with Rod Arquette earlier this week; I cried as I felt the humble heart of this man. Then when I dialed the radio station to see if I could just by chance be one of the 10 callers to win a book and I got to talk to Patrick at 105.7 and hear a little bit more about Chris. Then when I went to pick up the book I got to hear an awesome story from the Clear Channel receptionist who met Chris as well and said he came in waving HI and she felt like she had known him forever. I read "Let It Go" in 5 hours because I couldn't put it down. I cried a lot more too. Chris' story is not only one of forgiveness, but humility and much, much more. It is about the atonement and all that Christ did for us. Also, Chris never once talks about all the petty details surrounding Cameron (the drunk driver) and I love that - he knew it didn't need to be in the book and I respect that so much. Thanks Chris Williams. AMAZING...

This is an amazing story and Chris' example is worth more than can ever be told. Thank you, Chris, and all who have helped him heal and tell his story.

I agree with these comments and it's comforting that this many people have such tender hearts and recognize the importance of relying on our Heavenly Father. Chris is a superb example of what all of us should do if we are ever offended, hurt or lose someone we love. It takes a lot of Courage and Faith to be able to forgive one who takes the lives of your wife, son and daughter away because of abuse of alcohol. I hope that young man will be able to forgive himself and will be strengthened as each day goes by with the desire to choose more carefully his decisions.

Inspirational story and something we can all apply into our lives.

@NeilT
I hope you aren't implying that our "imperfect" justice system should forgive all offenders. Justice is not just about retribution. It is also about protecting the public. If people aren't dealt with justly, that is, appropriately punished for their crimes, then what incentive is there to change bad or illegal behavior. Putting the drunk driver in jail probably saved lives.

I cried as I read this article...I admire this man greatly. I am striving hard to forgive a serious transgression by a loved one this week, but am not there yet.

Thanks so much for this article, it has helped.