Sunday’s lesson was given by Sister Jackie Young using the conference talks: Providing in the Lord’s Way by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Charity Never Faileth by Sister Sylvia H. Allred, and Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time by Elder Jose L. Alonso.
She started by asking us to define CHARTIY: the pure love of Christ.
D&C 88:125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.
Moroni 7:46-48
46 Wherefore, 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—
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.
48 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. Amen.
We then discussed the attributes of Charity:
Not judgmental, compassionate, generous, look for the good, forgiving, acceptance, respect, kindness, eternal, hope, nurturing.
She then asked, “How does the Lord express Charity to us?”
He died for us. He was the perfect example for us to emulate. He was the Master Teacher. He was perfect in His service.
Next, our focus was on SERVICE.From the talk by Elder Alonso:
In our day many people are living in the midst of sadness and great confusion. They are not finding answers to their questions and are unable to meet their needs. Some have lost a sense of happiness and joy. The prophets have declared that true happiness is found in following the example and teachings of Christ. He is our Savior, He is our teacher, and He is the perfect example.
His was a life of service. When we serve our neighbor, we help those who are in need. In the process we may find solutions to our own difficulties. As we emulate the Savior, we show our love to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and we become more like Them.
King Benjamin spoke of the value of service, saying that when we are “in the service of [our] fellow beings [we] are only in the service of [our] God.”
Each day we have the opportunity to give help and service—doing the right thing at the right time, without delay.We need to ask ourselves, “How can we serve?” and “Where can we serve?”
Let us start with our families first, then look for opportunities in the Church, community and all around us. Quiet acts of kindness – the more we do this the easier it becomes.
The last area we discussed: INSTINCT – the inborn tendency to act a certain way. It is when CHARTIY and SERVICE come together. It is an acquirable gift of the spirit.
Real Charity is not something you give away, it is something we acquire. Charity is bestowed upon true followers of Christ. When we can act instinctively, we will feel more of that charity.
The Saviors actions were instinctive to heal and to bless. We learn so much about the love of our Savior from the account in 3 Nephi 17 when he appeared to the people of the Book of Mormon – “And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.” And they brought their sick to Him, and He healed them. The multitude bowed down at His feet and worshipped Him and kissed His feet, “insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.” Then He commanded them that their little children should be brought, and He blessed them one by one. That is the model the Savior has given us. His love is for all, but He never loses sight of the one.
Jackie gave us a challenge to teach our families to look for ways to give service. She also handed out a little heart charm to keep in our pockets so that each time we feel it there, it can help us “focus on the heart – because that is love.”
Thank you, Sister Young, for sharing such an important message on how we can become more like our Savior.
-Sister Snow