Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 30: Charity
Concept 4: Charity Comes from the Heart
"Even when we give to those in need, unless we feel compassion for them we do not have charity (1 John 3:16-17 "16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"). The Apostle Paul taught that when we have charity we are filled with good feelings for all people. We are patient and kind. We are not boastful or proud, selfish or rude. When we have charity we do not remember or rejoice in the evil others have done. Neither do we do good things just because it is to our advantage. Instead, we share the joy of those who live by truth. When we have charity we are loyal, we believe the best of others, and we defend them. When we really have charity these good feelings stay with us forever (1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.").
The Savior was our example of how to feel toward and treat others. He despised wickedness, but he loves sinners in spite of their sins. He had compassion for children, the elderly, the poor, and the needy. He had such great love that he could beg our Heavenly Father to forgive the soldiers who drove the nails into his hands and feet. (Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."). He taught us that if we do not forgive others, our Father in Heaven will not forgive us (Matthew 18:33-35
"33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.").
He said: "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you .... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" (Matthew 5:44, 46). We must learn to feel toward others as Jesus did.
Discussion
Moroni 7:45 "And 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."
What attitudes show that we have charity?
How can we love people in spite of their sins and faults?"