Charity

Charity is “the pure love of Christ,” or “everlasting love”

(Moroni 7:47; 8:17). The prophet Mormon taught: “Charity

suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed

up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no

evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth,

beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,

endureth all things” (Moroni 7:45; see also 1 Corinthians

13:4–7).

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of charity. In His mortal

ministry, He always “went about doing good,” teaching

the gospel and showing tender compassion for the poor,

afflicted, and distressed (see Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:6; Acts

10:38). His crowning expression of charity was His infinite

Atonement. He said, “Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends” ( John 15:13). This

was the greatest act of long-suffering, kindness, and selflessness

that we will ever know. With an understanding of the

Savior’s enduring love, you can exercise faith and repent of

your sins, confident that He will forgive you and strengthen

you in your efforts to live the gospel.

The Savior wants you to receive His love, and He also

wants you to share it with others. He declared to His disciples:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love

one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye

have love one to another” ( John 13:34–35). In your relationships

with family members and others, look to the Savior as

your example. Strive to love as He loves, with unfailing

compassion, patience, and mercy.

As you continue to receive the Savior’s perfect love and

as you demonstrate Christlike love for others, you will find

that your love increases. You will experience the joy of being

in the Lord’s service. The Holy Ghost will be your constant

companion, guiding you in your service and in your relationships

with others. You will be prepared to meet the Lord at

the Judgment, when He will reward you according to your

dedication to His work. Mormon taught:

“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—

“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.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray 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 followers

of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of

God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we

shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we

may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:46–48).

Additional references: Matthew 25:31–46; 1 John 4:18; Ether 12:33–34;

D&C 12:8; 34:3; 121:45

See also Love; Service