Charity

[from my personal online journal today]:

"Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call “the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10; 1 Ne. 20:10). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge to Become," Ensign November 2000, 32-34.

"This parable teaches us that we should never give up hope and loving associations with family members and friends whose fine qualities (see Moro. 7:5–14) evidence their progress toward what a loving Father would have them become....Instead of being judgmental about others, we should be concerned about ourselves. We must not give up hope. We must not stop striving. We are children of God, and it is possible for us to become what our Heavenly Father would have us become.

"How can we measure our progress? The scriptures suggest various ways. I will mention only two....(Mosiah 5:2). If we are losing our desire to do evil, we are progressing toward our heavenly goal....(1 Cor. 2:16). I understand this to mean that persons who are proceeding toward the needed conversion are beginning to see things as our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, see them. They are hearing His voice instead of the voice of the world, and they are doing things in His way instead of by the ways of the world."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge to Become," Ensign November 2000, 32-34.

"We are called upon to purify our inner feelings, to change our hearts, to make our outward actions and appearance conform to what we say we believe.…We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger” 

-President Howard W. Hunter, “A More Excellent Way,” Ensign, May 1992, 61–63.

Have you ever wondered what "charity suffereth long" means? It doesn't mean that charity is a painful process. It is saying that charity is patient. It doesn't give up on others. Suffer means to wait patiently, to tolerate, to hold out, to allow. I do not equate "long-suffering" or "patient" charity with submissiveness to others or lack of energy. Quite the opposite--charity is energetically persistent in reaching its goals. It is submissive only to the Spirit of the Lord.

Sometimes the most important thing we do for others is to suffer long in their behalf....This is the suffering that works understanding. It reminds us that others have been patient with us, that the process of individual growth means we take turns suffering long and being suffered for.

-Elaine L. Jack, "Charity: How We Treat Each Other," March 10, 1992

Another charitable habit: Lighten up and chill out. Take a healthy helping of enjoyment and laughter from the smorgasbord of life's experiences. And give some to your neighbors and friends. While we don't choose all that lands on our plates, we may choose some of the trimmings. Laughter is a condiment that makes just about anything go down better. And the ability to enjoy life with all its frustrations and diversity is like a good sorbet--it freshens the palate. Good humor refreshes me as nothing else can. Sharing a good laugh with someone is often an act of charity.

-Elaine L. Jack, "Charity: How We Treat Each Other," March 10, 1992