We all know that charity is “The pure love of Christ”
(Moroni 7:47). We hear it in scripture and in countless sacrament and General
Conference talks, it’s even on the wall in most Relief Society rooms around the
world. But have you ever really thought about what that means? There are so
many things that make up true charity. It is in the small things of everyday
life as well as the big. Little gestures that show love for others, something
as small as opening a door or a kind word, can make a huge impact on someone’s
life. Showing pure love to others is such a simple and easy thing to do, yet is
so often lost in the rush and business of our lives. I am trying harder each
day to show charity to others.
"Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment. Other expressions may be more subtle, such as showing interest in another’s activities, teaching a principle with kindness and patience, visiting one who is ill or homebound. These words and actions and many others can communicate love."
"I bear my witness that the Lord has asked each of us, His
disciples, to help bear one another’s burdens. We have promised to do it. I
bear my testimony that the Lord, through His Atonement and Resurrection, has
broken the power of death. I give my witness that the living Christ sends the
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to those we are pledged to help Him comfort."
"I consider charity—or 'the pure love of Christ'—to be the
opposite of criticism and judging. 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. Tonight, however, 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."
"We are challenged to move through a process of conversion
toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just
by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love
of Christ. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his famous teaching about the
importance of charity (see 1 Cor. 13). The reason charity never fails and the
reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he
cited is that charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), is not an act
but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of
acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. Thus, as
Moroni declared, 'except men shall have charity they cannot inherit' the place
prepared for them in the mansions of the Father (Ether 12:34; emphasis added)."
"So, brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be
more like our Savior, may we try to be 'perfect' men and women in at least this
one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with
a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled
with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so
desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the
influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be
elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail. I pray that my words, even
on this challenging subject, will be encouraging to you, not discouraging, that
you can hear in my voice that I love you, because I do. More importantly,
please know that your Father in Heaven loves you and so does His Only Begotten
Son. When They speak to you—and They will—it will not be in the wind, nor in
the earthquake, nor in the fire, but it will be with a voice still and small, a
voice tender and kind. It will be with the tongue of angels. May we all
rejoice in the thought that when we say edifying, encouraging things unto the
least of these, our brethren and sisters and little ones, we say it unto God."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Tongue of Angels”, April 2007 General Conference
"Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is 'the substance of things hoped for.' Hope is critical to both faith and charity. When disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold our faith. When frustration and impatience challenge charity, hope braces our resolve and urges us to care for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward. The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity. The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity —working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope”, October 2008 General Conference
"We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his famous teaching about the importance of charity (see 1 Cor. 13). The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. Thus, as Moroni declared, 'except men shall have charity they cannot inherit' the place prepared for them in the mansions of the Father (Ether 12:34)."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become”, October 2000 General Conference
"The Prophet Joseph Smith said, 'We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object' (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 186). In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity, preparing for that great day when Zion, the New Jerusalem, will arise.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion”, October 2008 General Conference
"This society is composed of women whose feelings of charity spring from hearts changed by qualifying for and by keeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true Church. Their feelings of charity come from Him through His Atonement. Their acts of charity are guided by His example—and come out of gratitude for His infinite gift of mercy—and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompany His servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have done and are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even when their own unmet needs are great."
President Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy if Relief Society”, October 2009 General Relief Society Meeting
The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity. His life was a matchless example of humility and power. The greatest blessings from the use of the priesthood flow from humble service to others without thought of self. By following His example as a faithful, obedient priesthood bearer, we can access great power. When required, we can exercise the power of healing, of blessing, of consoling, and of counseling, as the quiet promptings of the Spirit are faithfully followed.
Elder Richard G. Scott, “Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well”, October 2008 General Conference
"Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is 'the substance of things hoped for.' Hope is critical to both faith and charity. When disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold our faith. When frustration and impatience challenge charity, hope braces our resolve and urges us to care for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward. The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity. The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity —working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope”, October 2008 General Conference
"We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his famous teaching about the importance of charity (see 1 Cor. 13). The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. Thus, as Moroni declared, 'except men shall have charity they cannot inherit' the place prepared for them in the mansions of the Father (Ether 12:34)."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become”, October 2000 General Conference
"The Prophet Joseph Smith said, 'We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object' (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 186). In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity, preparing for that great day when Zion, the New Jerusalem, will arise.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion”, October 2008 General Conference
"This society is composed of women whose feelings of charity spring from hearts changed by qualifying for and by keeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true Church. Their feelings of charity come from Him through His Atonement. Their acts of charity are guided by His example—and come out of gratitude for His infinite gift of mercy—and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompany His servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have done and are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even when their own unmet needs are great."
President Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy if Relief Society”, October 2009 General Relief Society Meeting
The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity. His life was a matchless example of humility and power. The greatest blessings from the use of the priesthood flow from humble service to others without thought of self. By following His example as a faithful, obedient priesthood bearer, we can access great power. When required, we can exercise the power of healing, of blessing, of consoling, and of counseling, as the quiet promptings of the Spirit are faithfully followed.
Elder Richard G. Scott, “Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well”, October 2008 General Conference
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