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.

The Savior wants all people to receive His love and 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 relationships with family members and others, followers of Christ look to the Savior as their example and strive to love as He loves, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy.

See also Love; Service

—See True to the Faith (2004), 27–29

• "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword"

  Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1992, 18–20
  Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself.

• "Choosing Charity: That Good Part"

  Bonnie D. Parkin, Liahona, Nov. 2003, 104–6; or Ensign, Nov. 2003, 104–6
  I invite you to not only love each other more but love each other better.

• "Charity: Perfect and Everlasting Love"

  Gene R. Cook, Liahona, July 2002, 91–93; or Ensign, May 2002, 82–83
  The very power of God is found in His attributes of godliness. . . . We seek these attributes, especially charity, the pure love of Christ.

• "Cultivating Divine Attributes"

  Joseph B. Wirthlin, Liahona, Jan. 1999, 28–31; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 25–28
  We will attain new levels of spirituality and place our lives in closer harmony with Jesus the Christ based on how fully faith, hope, and charity become integral components of our lives.

• "Strengthened in Charity"

  Elaine L. Jack, Ensign, Nov. 1996, 91–93
  We all work at feeling joy and finding peace. One of our greatest tools in the process is charity.

• "Love of Christ"

  C. Max Caldwell, Ensign, Nov. 1992, 29–30
  Charity is not just a precept or a principle, nor is it just a word to describe actions or attitudes. Rather, it is an internal condition that must be developed and experienced in order to be understood.

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• "Charity"

  Guide to the Scriptures

• "Charity"

  Bible Dictionary, 632

• "Charity"

  Gospel Principles, Chapter 30

• "Charity"

  Encyclopedia of Mormonism
  (Please note that the contents of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, a joint product of Brigham Young University and Macmillan Publishing Company, do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) 

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