Charity

I have been wanting to increase the charity I have within  my heart towards my fellow man. Of course I want to be more loving to my family, but I want to love all of God's children. I think I do love them in a very small way, but I have discovered that what I need is charity and I need it in greater abundance than I do now. I have been doing some searching on the topic and I have some new ideas.

Charity is the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:47) which means that Jesus Christ has love for all of us. Heavenly Father loves all of us and we in turn love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The first great commandment is to love God and then to love your neighbor (matt 22:37-39). So real, true, pure love (or charity) is the energy that binds us all together. It connects all of God's children together.

This connection is given to us but we can lose it. So it is something we have to work to keep. We need to practice charity. We do this through serving others (Mosiah 4:16). When we serve others we develop a stronger sense of charity. This is necessary for our eternal development and salvation (Moroni 10:21).

"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."
- Moroni 7:45 (1 Cor 13:4)

ALL THINGS

That stood out to be not only because it is said multiple times, but also because it is so absolute. It's the scripture version of "love conquers all". I believe it is true. If you have enough love you are willing to forgive any fault, you are willing to sacrifice any amount of time, any worldly possession for that person. Heavenly Father loves you and asks you to love Him and His children in return. I think of a dear friend that I have in my life who has a child of their own. I love this friend very much and I love her child very much. How much more love I should have for my Father in Heaven? How can I deny him this request?

I do not think that I can love all others over night. It may take me some time to feel real genuine love for every person. I struggle with drivers who cut me off in traffic and referees who make horrible calls at games, but I am learning to let go of my anger and focus on increasing my understanding and compassion for others. Love unifies all of God's children together in the great eternal family.

Brotherly Love