I've been a student of the principles of charity for some time, which are found in 1 Corinthians 13 and several places in the Book of Mormon. At times this principle still eludes me. When Sister Allred spoke at the Relief Society session of October 2011 conference, I was thrilled. Some of the ideas I already knew; some she clarified for me.
"charity is not a single act or something we give away but a state of being, a state of the heart, kind feelings that engender loving actions...charity is bestowed upon the Lord’s true disciples and that charity purifies those who have it...a divine gift which we must seek and pray for. We need to have charity in our hearts in order to inherit the celestial kingdom...we are willing to serve and help others when it is inconvenient and with no thought of recognition or reciprocation...we choose to be kind, caring, generous, patient, accepting, forgiving, inclusive, and selfless...you follow the Savior and you act as instruments in His hands as you help, care, lift, comfort, listen, encourage, nurture, teach, and strengthen" Silvia Alred
“Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.” Thomas S. Monson
“Don’t be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors’ virtues. … You must enlarge your souls toward others if you [would] do like Jesus. … As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand—let them be enlarged towards others—you must be long suffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!” Joseph Smith
"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." Moroni 7:48
"And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father." Ether 12:34
"And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope." Moroni 19:21
Studying her talk this week is healing to my bruised spirit. For so long, I've struggled to understand the beautiful spirit my grandmother possesses. Now I know she has received and mastered charity in her life. She is my example and my hero.
