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| “Good Shepherd.” Oil painting by Yongsung Ki |
And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. (B of M . Ether 12:34)
I think we shortchange ourselves and our understanding of the doctrine of charity in most of our lessons and discussions about this topic which Paul and Moroni discuss so passionately in the scriptures. Generally we focus on our need to acquire the quality of possessing charity that we then extend to our fellow men in word, action, deed and thought. While this is definitely the Christ-like state we would desire to possess in our interactions with others it is more an outcome of a far greater whole.
In the Book of Ether Moroni gives us a broader picture. Charity is the love God has for the children of men and without this love from God that He bestows upon us we cannot inherit a place in the mansions of the Father. We are fallen, incapable mortals. Even our very best efforts are woefully lacking in the quest to become like our Father. We only obtain the opportunity of returning to our heavenly home through the great and everlasting Charity extend by our Father.
Nephi adds more clarification as to exactly how this is done.
25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.
In answer to Nephi's desire for an explanation of his father Lehi's vision, the angel then shows Nephi the life and atonement of Jesus Christ. After telling Nephi that the Fountain of Living Waters and the Tree of Life represent the love of God (charity) the angel shows Nephi the ministry and sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Only Begotten Son who is full of grace and truth. Through the Son of God mankind can receive that charity which will enable us to inherit a place in the mansions of the Father. The atonement of Jesus Christ is the real life expression of God's charity towards mankind.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
It truly is by grace that we are saved. Our best bet in becoming a person of charity is to receive the atonement of Jesus Christ through repentance of our sins, through baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then the natural outcome of this process will be an expansion of our ability to offer Christ like and Godly love to our fellow beings.
Moroni charges us in Moroni 7:
47 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.
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.
May we receive that charity offered to us from the Father through the Savior of all mankind.
