The Greatest Commandment

If charity is the pure love of Christ, then what is love?

Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life. (Elder Joseph B. Worthlin)

In the book of Matthew, the Savior taught, “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

I often marvel at the ability some people have to love so easily - I witness countless acts of true love each day. I feel the love my family has for me, and I know of the love I have for them. I feel the love of my Father in Heaven each and every day. However, there are times in all of our lives when we may find it difficult to love some people. We may be in a state of mind that causes love to not flow so freely from our hearts. We may be filled with more resentment than usual; we may have been hurt or wronged by an individual. However, we must continue to love them as Christ would.

As Christ’s love is endless, ours must be also. We must find it within ourselves to continuously love others. In those times where it may be difficult, remember the words and example of the Savior. Seek to see that individual through His eyes. As you remember the love of Christ, you will find it in your heart to love as He does. And as you continue to love all of God’s children, your ability to love will become stronger. You will grow closer to Him and you will serve His children. The beneficiary of such love will not only be that who you love, but you will be blessed as well.

As we continue each day, let us remember the nature of love and the significant role it plays in God’s plan. “Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

The Pure Love of Christ

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. (Moroni 7:47)

Charity is such an enormously important principle to not only understand, but it is an attribute we must all possess. To be charitable is to follow the example the Savior has set for us and to serve others without hesitation. Charity involves a pure heart; a heart filled with the love of Christ.

Charity is not simply raking up leaves, cleaning a house, or bringing someone dinner. Charity is serving with all of your heart, doing the Lord’s will, and ministering unto his children. Charity is more than actions – it is about aligning the true intentions of your heart to match your actions.

To better understand the nature of charity, we must first reflect on the example set by the Savior. Jesus Christ lived to serve all of God’s children and he did so with such incredible willingness.

“He put himself and his own needs second and ministered to others beyond the call of duty, tirelessly, lovingly, effectively. So many of the problems in the world today spring from selfishness and self-centeredness in which too many make harsh demands of life and others in order to meet their demands.

If we follow in [the Savior’s] footsteps, we can live by faith rather than by fear. If we can share his perspective about people, we can love them, serve them, and reach out to them – rather than feeling anxious and threatened by others” (Spencer W. Kimball)

One of the magnificent things about charity is the way it can influence one’s life. Charitable acts are not only for the recipient, but they are for givers as well. The true blessings of charity will come as one commits their lives to serving others. Charity is a gift from God. As you follow the counsel to do righteous works, your love for people will increase tenfold. The love for those you serve will become stronger and you will soon become truly and genuinely concern with the eternal happiness of others. As you serve others, you will begin to see them as they truly are: children of God with potential to become like Him.

Charity is a Christlike attribute that will become stronger in our lives as we continuously practice it – let us remember the words of Moroni: If ye have not charity, ye are nothing.

Overcoming All Things

“For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; … yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement” (Alma 34:9).

The great sacrifice the Savior made to pay for our sins and transgressions is called the Atonement. This sacrifice of the Savior was the most important event in the history of man – this event is paramount to the progression of each and every individual.

Through the Atonement, Christ overcame two forms of death: physical death and spiritual death. When one psychically dies, their body and spirit are separated. However, spiritual death is separation from God. By overcoming both forms of death, Christ has provided the means for our body and spirit to be reunited and for us to live again with our Heavenly Father.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is one of the most basic yet complicated doctrines of the church. To understand its basic principles may be simple, but to gain a full appreciation and understanding of the Atonement is something that may take a lifetime. I personally struggle to fully comprehend the magnificence of the Atonement.

However, this entire blog post was sparked by a recent experience…

This past weekend I attended a type of class in which I was surrounded by individuals that were all carrying the same burden as me. Throughout the class, I could not help but to consider the amount of pain and suffering I have felt throughout my life because of this particular burden – and I knew that each of these individuals have felt the exact same feelings. I then realized how just within that room there were twenty individuals that had all gone through similar struggles. I considered the idea that it was horrible that I had to experience such pain, but even worse to consider that many other individuals did as well. I instantly though of the Savior - who took upon the pain of each of these individuals – and who took upon the pain of every person that has ever lived and will live.

The Atonement is not only about overcoming death and sin – but it also encompasses the power and capacity to overcome all trials and tribulations one may experience. I know with absolute surety that there is no pain or sorrow, no trial or tribulation, nor any other ailment or suffering that cannot be overcome through the power of the Atonement. However, it is crucial that we remember the Saviors atoning sacrifice and call upon his strength to overcome such things. We cannot do this alone and it is only through Him that we may be saved. 

Gratitude.

We need to be more grateful. It's one of the marks of strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours. We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation. 

- Ezra Taft Benson

Our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief. We have seen our beaches, our parks, our forests littered with ugly refuse by those who evidently have no appreciation for their beauty.- Gordon B. Hinckley

Gratitude. I recently learned that to be truly grateful, one must express gratitude. If such gratitude is not expressed, then it is wasted – it does not even exist. Only when gratitude is expressed can it be real.

It is all too often that we forget to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for even the plain and common aspects of life. I personally take for granted the simplest of things – a beautiful day, a lovely song, and even just the opportunity to make a decision for myself. I go throughout each day of my life being blessed to wake up and live another day on this incredible earth created by our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am blessed with a family that loves me unconditionally and friends that care for me. I have food to eat and I have a bed to sleep in. There are too many people that do not have such things.

Whether we are grateful for a good day, a kind act from a friend or family member, or even something as great as a miracle from our Father in Heaven – I hope we can take the time to express such gratitude where it needs to be expressed. I know that as we do so, we become more like our Savior. We become closer to God and we will feel a greater Spirit in our lives. 

A Refuge Against the Storm.

A storm is defined as a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere; a violent disturbance of affairs. A storm sweeps in with its gusting winds and downpours of violent rain, snow or hail. Lightning strikes and thunder roars.

A storm has overtaken the Earth that was once in a pure and perfect state.

Satan has created a tumultuous storm that seems to never cease.

Evil and corruption flow freely.

The sacred nature of the family is attacked.

God’s children are being lost each day.

As Latter-day Saints, we may struggle to stay righteous in a world filled with such unrighteous actions. We may often seek counsel and sanctity in the wrong places. Many are unaware of the refuge which they actively seek. A refuge against this raging storm is here, in the institute building. It is a dedicated building filled with the Spirit of God where Satan has no grasp upon us.

My hopes are that this blog may provide you with a connection to such a refuge – to this sacred and holy establishment that the Prophet so deeply wishes we would attend. The Institute of Religion is a place in which we can learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a place where we can study His words, feel of His Spirit, and make friends. It is a place in which we can take refuge against this seemingly endless storm.

“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you.”

President Thomas S. Monson