Charity Never Faileth

 What would be the cumulative effect of millions of small, compassionate acts performed daily by us because of our heartfelt Christian love for others? Over time this would have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father’s children through the extension of His love to them through us.

~M. Russell Ballard, Be Anxiously Engaged, Conference October 2012

Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.

~ Gordon B. Hinckley, “Whosoever Will Save His Life”

May we ever watch over one another, assisting in times of need. Let us not be critical and judgmental, but let us be tolerant, ever emulating the Savior’s example of loving-kindness. In that vein, may we willingly serve one another. May we pray for the inspiration to know of the needs of those around us, and then may we go forward and provide assistance.

~ Thomas S. Monson, Love, Joy, and Inspiration, November 2012

The pavilion that seems to be hiding you from God may be fear of man rather than this desire to serve others. The Savior’s only motivation was to help people… I challenge you to go for the Lord to someone, despite any fear you may have, to extend love and forgiveness. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the love of the Savior for that person and His love for you, and it will not seem to come from a great distance.

~Henry B. Eyring, Where is the Pavilion? Conference October 2012

I would hope that we would not lose the real objective of our cherished opportunities to serve. That objective, that eternal goal, is the same spoken of by the Lord and found in the Pearl of Great Price: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” May we ever remember that the mantle of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a cloak of comfort but rather a robe of responsibility. Our duty, in addition to saving ourselves, is to guide others to the celestial kingdom of God.

~ Thomas S. Monson, The Savior’s Call to Serve, August 2012 Ensign

Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won't profit you at all.... Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.

~ Joseph B Worthlin, The Great Commandment, (Ensign, Nov 2007, 28–31).

We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and, if necessary, shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us.

~ Howard W. Hunter, A More Excellent Way, Conference April 1992

Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.

~ Thomas S. Monson, The Gifts of Christmas, First Presidency Message, December 2003

Note that charity is given only to those who seek it, only to those who earnestly pray for it, only to those who are disciples of Christ. Before we can be filled with this pure love, we must start at the beginning with the first principle of the gospel. We must have “first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Joseph B. Wirthlin, Cultivating Divine Attributes, Ensign, November 1998

It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service… When this pure love of Christ—or charity—envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act. Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior.

~ M. Russell Ballard, Finding Joy Through Loving Service, Conference April 2011

My Own Thoughts and Testimony: 

Of all of the commandments, perhaps the most forgotten and for some reason least feared is the commandment to love one another. When Christ was asked what is the first commandment of all He said, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" and second was to "love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Why is it that we so quickly forget to have love, patience, kindness, and forgiveness for others? I have tried to cultivate these characteristics of love in my life but find myself frequently making mistakes and my love un-perfect. In Moroni 7: 47 it teaches that true charity never faileth, yet I know that my love for others is not perfect. So how do we obtain this most precious gift of charity? Well, that is just it. We must understand that it is a gift. We do not cultivate this love because we are naturally good, nor do we receive it as a reward, it is bestowed upon us as a gift. Charity is the true love of Christ and His love truly does not fail. I know that as we strive to show love and charity we become filled with light and begin to see others as God see’s them. We receive happiness that cannot be found from fulfilling any selfish wants.