Notes from a recent talk I gave in Sacrament Meeting…
Charity is the pure love of Christ
1st Corinthians Chapter 13
4aCharity bsuffereth long, and is ckind; charity denvieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself aunseemly, seeketh not her bown, is not easily cprovoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in ainiquity, but rejoiceth in the btruth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Brothers and Sisters, we are told by the apostle John that “God is Love”(1 John 4:16)
As latter-day saints, we have an amazing doctrine. Our belief in the atonement extends beyond the idea of us merely being reconciled to God like two individuals working out a problem with each other. We are not merely reconciled but become One with God. We become “Like” God possessing His divine attributes.
The scripture above is Paul describing what Charity is. Charity is another word for the perfect Love of Christ, the very love that the apostle John said that “God is”
Charity is Kind
Are you kind to your spouse? Are you kind to your children? Are you kind to others around you? Would others describe you as “kind.?”
The prophet Brigham Young said:
“You may see, or thing you see, a thousand faults in your brethren; yet they are organized as you are; they are flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone; they are of your Father who is in heaven; we are all His children, and should be satisfied with each other as far as possible”
Charity Envieth Not
Charity casts away the spirit of coveting. We no longer see things in terms of comparison to what others have and what do not have, instead we are happy and joyful for the blessings of others and wish to bless them more.
Charity Vaunteth Not itself, is not puffed up
Charity takes away the insecurity of pride. Pride is related to coveting in that both are built on personal insecurity. When we posses charity we no longer question our individual worth, or the worth of others because we are filled with the Love of God, and this love helps us recognize that if such a being loves us and others that much, then we all must have great worth.
Charity casts out all fear
1 John 4:18
18There is no afear in blove; but perfect clove casteth out fear: because fear hath dtorment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
What do you fear? Do you fear to repent because of the scorn of others or embarrassment? I want to testify that our Bishop has been blessed with a capacity to feel the Love of God towards you. If you need to talk with the bishop, remember that he is God’s servant and as such will not look at you with scorn for repenting, but rather is filled with compassion and love towards you and wants nothing more but to help you feel the Love of God in your heart.
Charity aids in the repentance and forgiveness process
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Charity helps us have the capacity to forgive others, it also helps us forgive ourselves and no longer judge ourselves and others through the lense of criticism, instead through the lense of love.
Remember that all the law and the prophets hang on the first two commandments, that we love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.
5Doth not behave itself aunseemly
With the attribute of charity comes a refinement of character, charitable people lift others by the way the behave.
Seeketh not her bown
Charity changes our motivation for just about everything. We no longer make decisions primarily based on what is in it for ourselves but rather, how will the build the Lords kindom, and how will this bless the lives of my neighbors.
Is not easily cprovoked
Are you easily provoked? Do you get bothered easily? Do you assume the worst intentions of others? Charity is not. Charity is careful to think before it acts. Charity assumes the best in others.
Charity “thinketh no evil”
In D&C 121:45 it says “Let they bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish they thoughts unceasingly;”
Charity is linked then with our ability to control our thoughts. Charity aids in Chastity. Charity aids in thinking highly of others. Charity is the ultimate tool in lifting our minds to higher laws and higher thinking. Charity aids and refines the intellect.
“then shall they confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”
6Rejoiceth not in ainiquity, but rejoiceth in the btruth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity is the Chief Godlike attribute
Brothers and sisters, Charity is the greatest possession. We should seek after it with even greater vigor than we do the riches of this world. If it is our aim to become like God, we cannot do it without Charity.
Moroni 7:46-47
46Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
47But acharity is the pure blove of Christ, and it endurethcforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
End your talk:
Moroni 7:48Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen