Something that has been on my mind as of late is charity. The pure love of Christ. I see examples of people with charity all the time.
One example lately was the sadness felt for the family and the children of Susan Powell. I heard accounts of people crying and feeling great amounts of sadness for what the father did to his children. I started to think I was hard hearted because my reaction was more like that is so sad. I feel really bad for the grandparents who had custody of those children and I feel bad for what Josh Powell might have to face. (So glad I am not the Judge of these things). But never did I feel like shedding tears. I guess I felt that though their deaths were terrifying at the time it was very short and they are with their mother. Not only that but they were under the age of accountability which means eternal life for them and great blessings in the resurrection because of the afflictions suffered and their lives cut short because of actions of others that were out of their control. Also, I thought about how hard this life must have been for them not knowing what really happened to their mother, all they knew is that she was missing, their father telling them she left, and the custody battle between grandparents and father. I know they are in paradise now. So my feelings are not of great sadness for them. Like, I said I do feel sadness for the parents of Susan, the grandparents of the boys and their suffering and loss. I hope they know they have Jesus Christ to trust in and lean on at this time.
Anyway so this started me thinking I don't have charity like I should. There is a scripture in The Book of Mormon Mosiah 28:3 this verse describes the sons' of Mosiah feelings on preaching the gospel to the Lamanites. I was given this as a subject for a talk one time and it was so hard to give this talk because these were not my feelings. The scripture says “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.” I wanted those to be my feelings but they weren't. I still don't think these are my feelings now. I want people to accept the gospel and Jesus Christ as their Savior and make and keep sacred covenants, because I know that these things will make them happy and bring them salvation. I want to help those I can to come to this knowledge. But I also know it's ultimately their choice and I can't make anyone do these things. So I guess I feel sad that people don't accept the gospel or do and then reject it, but it doesn't make me quake and tremble. Why doesn't it? I think it's because I do not love my fellowman like I love myself. I need more charity.
I read accounts of the Prophet and all he does for others and I want to be like that but sadly know that I am not. Here is on example that was told recently in the Leadership training meeting. This was shared by Elder D. Todd Christopherson he said “You know in our Thursday meetings in the temple, we conclude with those reports of our activities of the prior week, and it seems without fail, with everything else he may have been doing as President of the Church, there’s always something of an individual ministry and an effort to rescue. He’s visited someone in a nursing home. He’s given a blessing. He’s been at a funeral. He’s called someone he knew was lonely. All of that, I think, is a great example of what it means to have this—our participation in the redemptive work of the Lord—as central to our lives.
I am not all bad I would say. I pray daily for those ladies I visit teach, I seek for guidance on how to help and serve them. I love to help those in my ward who are in need with meals, with babysitting, or whatever else they may need, when asked. I have once or twice showed up at people's doorstep with meals because I thought they could use them or knew there was an illness in the home. I also saw a man walking with 2 boys the other day and I have no idea where they were going but I thought to myself 'Oh I hope they have a home to go to' and as I pictured them being homeless tears did come to my eyes and I so wanted to be rich at that moment so I could help them. For all I knew they were on a walk, but even just the thought of them maybe being homeless broke my heart.
One thing I know I could do better on is searching for, or praying often for chances to serve. Also, I have 5 children now and I feel like I have a lot to do in my home. But I feel selfish sometimes when I only serve in my home and don't help neighbors or friends. Even though I know that my work in the home is important, it is hard for me to find a balance between taking care of my family and helping others.
I want to be like these examples that are around me and luckily there is a way. I feel I need greater Charity and so I need to pray mightily for greater charity.
Moroni 7:48 "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."
Then I also need to seek the spirit daily to teach me the things I need to do, to be better to gain that greater charity. Then I can have greater love and a greater desire to serve mankind, my brothers and sisters.
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