Charity – The Pure Love of Christ 

~contributed by Suzie Wilde

 

·        Ether 12:33-34 “And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou has loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightiest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men.

And now I know that this love which thou hast for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou has prepared in the mansions of the Father.”

The Book of Mormon contains many plain and precious truths that have the power to change lives.  One of the most powerful parts of the Book of Mormon describes the time when the Savior, after his crucifixion and resurrection, visited the people of the American continent.  Chapter 17 of 3^rd Nephi is one of my favorites because it illustrates beautifully Jesus’ love for the people, for you and for me.  This pure love of Christ has changed my life.  It has made me who I am.  When I read this chapter, I feel a desire to understand and feel his love.  I want to love people the way that He does, so that, through me, others can feel His love.

·        Moroni 7:47 “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”

Several months ago, I was in a Sunday School class when the following story was read:  “Years ago, a woman’s husband left her only five days after she had surgery due to cancer. She was left sick and alone with no one to care for her.

Many years later, her daughter called asking if her father–the very man who had left this woman in her time of need–could rent a room. He had developed dementia and had nowhere to go. With tears in her eyes, this woman told our class how she had taken him in and cared for him, feeding him and tending to his needs when he didn’t even remember his misdeeds to her. He did not even know who she was!”

As the story continued, I learned that this sweet lady had overcome her cancer, investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and been baptized between the time when her husband had left her and when he had returned to her, needing help.  As a disciple of Christ, she decided that her ex-husband’s hopeless situation was a perfect opportunity to practice charity or the pure love of Christ.

·        1 Corinthians 13:4 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”

Thomas S. Monson, Latter-day Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. . . I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient. . . There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, and aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.”

I am far from perfect.  But I know that as I daily strive to follow the Savior’s example of pure love or, in other words, charity, I can know Him, feel Him and be more like Him.  These are some of my greatest desires in life.  I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, my brother and exemplar.  I know they live and love me.  I know the Book of Mormon to be the true word of God and I am grateful for its teachings.