Forgiving My Cyberbully

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young woman looking at phone

Illustrations by Brian Call

My friend Nora* created a social media account using the name of my other friend Kate.* Nora used that profile to start harassing people and make fun of my religion and personality. Everyone started blaming Kate for the mean messages.

When Nora later confessed to the fake profile, everyone hated her. She apologized, but I was too angry to forgive her.

One day while reading the scriptures, I came across D&C 64:9–10: “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”

Instantly I thought about Nora. I knew it wasn’t right for me to act so meanly. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to help me forgive her.

Forgiving her wasn’t easy, but I started small. I sent her messages asking her about her day, and I talked to her at lunch. I learned that Nora’s life wasn’t easy. I was glad I hadn’t stayed mad at her. Kate and some others didn’t understand how I could be so forgiving of someone who had insulted me, but I knew that what I’d done was right.