Cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all - Heather Harston

Love and charity are two gospel principles that go hand in hand. They are used as synonyms for each other, but I wish to explore a little deeper the meaning of each love and charity. Love can be defined in many ways. The book “True to the Faith” defines is as a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection.[1] Charity is the pure love of Christ, or everlasting love. These two virtues are essential in our earthly life and our eternal salvation. Love can be expressed in so many ways. It can be as simple as a smile and as easy as showing kindness. You can express your love by listening, sharing the gospel, serving others, and just being a friend.

We have each been invited to “feast upon [Christ’s] love.” [2] There are many examples of love in the scriptures. In Matthew the question is asked, “Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” The Savior’s simple reply, “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 the greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” [3] The Savior calls this the greatest commandment. This concept is again shared by Alma when he says “Every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them.” [4] We should be “filled with love towards God and all men.” [5] It isn’t always easy to love those around us. But I think it is worth the effort because it is a commandment, and not just one of the commandments, but the greatest. We learn again from Alma that we can feel redeeming love when we have experienced a change of heart within ourselves. [6] When we are able to put differences aside, forget grudges, and love those around us with our whole hearts, we can then draw ever nearer to our Heavenly Father. As I strive to apply this in my life, I have found that I am a happier person. I have felt my testimony strengthen as I have come to look at those around me as sons and daughters of God, my spiritual family. Through loving others, we become better ourselves. When we realize this love and have embraced it, we are on the path towards charity, or the pure love of Christ.

It is important to “see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” [7]The prophet Mormon teaches us much about charity. He shares, “ 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 rejocieth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 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—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.” [8] Mormon stated cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fall. [8a] When we have the pure love of Christ, we are never alone. We are never helpless. Even after all things have fallen, we still have the greatest of all, the love of Christ. A wonderful example of this is Job. After everything was taken from him he still clung to charity. He recognized Christ’s love for him. Charity was his life line through that difficult time. He was still kind to his friends even as they mocked him and never pitied himself in this situation. He never turned from Christ or his undying love. I love the verses found in Romans, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loves us. For I am persuaded , that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, not things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [9] It reminds us that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of our Savior. We have to come to trust in this and know it for ourselves. The greatest example we can ever have of love and charity is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. These Things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” [10] True to the Faith shares that when have an understanding of this love, it is possible for us to exercise our faith and repent of our sins, be confident our Savior will forgive us and strengthen us in our efforts to live the gospel. [11]

Elder C. Max Cadwell shared more on charity. He says, “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. We are possessors of charity when it is a part of our nature. People who have charity have a love for the Savior, have received of his love, and love others as he does.” [12] It is important to remember those 3 points. To have a love for the Savior, to have received his love, and to love others as Christ himself would. It’s also important to know that charity is a lifelong pursuit. It’s something that is developed as we live our lives and have love and compassion for those around us. I can testify that I love Jesus Christ. I know he walked this earth and atoned for our sins. I have felt his love. I have been comforted by him through the Holy Spirit. And every day I strive more and more to love others as Christ would.

In closing I would like to share a scripture from Moroni . “Wherefore my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with 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.” [13] I would invite you to pray unto Heavenly Father and feel his love. I testify that we can become like Christ and be purified through his atonement. Please remember all that he has done for us and allow him and the Father to bless us with their love and charity, and to share it with those around us.

[1] True to the Faith pp 96

[2] Jacob 3:2

[3] Matthew 22:36

[4] Mosiah 23:15

[5] Mosiah 2:4

[6] Alma 5:26

[7] Alma 7:24

[8] Moroni 7:45-47

[8a] vs 46

[9] Romans 8:35, 37-39

[10] John 15:9, 11, and 13

[11] True to the Faith pp 28

[12] 1992 Ensign

[13] Moroni 7:48