9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed.
By opening this correspondence, or in other words because they were willing to listen and have a civilized conversation in order to respectfully share opinions and thoughts one with another, they were led to see the truth— that they were in dire need of repentance. Even, as he says, having committed the sin of many murders.
Apparently this was a reference to the Nephites they had killed in their lifetime. And perhaps even killing among themselves. And perhaps personally, for this was the Lamoni who had killed his servants for failing to protect his flocks. And yet they had not committed murder wherein they shed innocent blood.
Did they kill people who were innocent? Surely they did. So why were they not guilty of committing murder wherein they shed innocent blood, the unforgivable sin? Is it not because they were taught to hate and kill by their fathers, Laman and Lemuel? They were, at least in part, sinning with a degree of ignorance. How merciful is our God indeed! For he looks upon the heart, and not the appearance. And does not judge like a machine. He has compassion. He wants to find a way to offer mercy, and has no desire to condemn. Yes, he so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He is a loving, albeit very strict Father. For how can a father be only one or the other? How can a father be loving and fair and merciful if he was only just? Or only merciful and not just? Neither justice or mercy can be robbed! Both together are essential to raising and teaching children, and for all righteousness. And apparently that is a team effort. Apparently two people are needed to provide what we need as children. For how can one person be both? For if one parent says, if do this or that this is the consequence, and yet not be a liar if he does not follow through with his word? Unless someone else can provide the necessary mercy. And so we needed two Fathers. One to provide and enforce justice, with its growing and stretching and learning effects, and the other to provide the life-saving, cleansing mercy.
It seems to me it needs to be a tag team type of partnership. One providing justice when justice is required. And one one providing the precious mercy when needed. Is that why men— fathers— tend to be more literal and more strict towards broken rules, and mothers the merciful mediators? Are they a type of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ? Or at least that is how it used to be more in the past then today in our culture, and perhaps by nature.
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