I Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

            I remember singing the hymn “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” as a child. It was just a song at that time, just words in the hymnal. Now that I am older, I understand better what it means to have a living prophet to guide us, and I am truly grateful to live in a day when a living prophet of God walks the earth.

            This week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that President Thomas S. Monson will not attend General Conference this weekend due to problems with old age. I am saddened at this news but not surprised because I know that he is 90 years old and have seen the effects of old age creeping up on him.

            I know that he has curtailed his speaking assignments in the past few years. Whereas the prophet usually opens and closes the conference as well as give two longer talks, President Monson gave an abbreviated talk to the priesthood brethren and a short talk to the general membership in the past two conferences. I miss the opportunity to hear directly from the prophet.

            In preparation for conference I listened to several talks given by President Monson in recent conferences. In the October 2016 General Conference, he first spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of living the Word of Wisdom. 

In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina….

Brethren, may we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do.

            The next morning President Monson spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic of “The Perfect Path to Happiness.” 

Our Father’s plan for our happiness and our salvation is shared by our missionaries throughout the world. Not all who hear this divine message accept and embrace it. However, men and women everywhere … recognize its truths, and they plant their feet on the path that will lead them safely home. Their lives are forever changed.

Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness.

We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us, “This is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

From the depths of my soul and in all humility, I testify of the great gift which is

our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come.

            In the April 2017 General Conference President Monson spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of having “Kindness, Charity, and Love.” He quotes Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as saying, “Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions … especially in our homes. Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion….” Then President Monson says following.

The scriptures teach us that the righteous exercise of the priesthood is dependent upon our living the principles of kindness, charity, and love….

Brethren, let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home.

            The next morning President Monson also spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic “The Power of the Book of Mormon.” He gave some powerful counsel in his short address.

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true – and I solemnly testify that it is – then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.

If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

            As I am writing this post before General Conference starts in a day or so, I do not know if President Monson has prepared remarks to be read by someone else. However, I discovered that he prepared the First Presidency message in the September 2017 Ensign titled “Prophets to Guide Us.” In his article he first shares an experience of sitting in the Salt Lake Temple and gazing on the portraits of his “predecessors – from the Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) to President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) – I thought, `How grateful I am for the guidance of each one.’” He proceeds to share what he learned from each of his predecessors and then adds the following.

The Savior sends prophets because He loves us. During general conference this October, the General Authorities of the Church will again have the privilege of sharing His word. We approach this responsibility with great solemnity and humility.

How blessed we are that the restored Church of Jesus Christ is upon the earth and that the Church is founded upon the rock of revelation. Continuous revelation is the very lifeblood of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we prepare to receive the personal revelation that comes in abundance during general conference. May our hearts be filled with deep determination as we raise our hands to sustain living prophets and apostles. May we be enlightened, uplifted, comforted, and strengthened as we listen to their messages. And may we be ready to recommit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ – His gospel and His work – and to live with renewed resolve in keeping His commandments and carrying out His will.

            The four talks and the First Presidency message referenced above contain the counsel of the living Prophet of the Lord on earth today. He gives the counsel that he believes to be most important for us to know right now. That counsel is: (1) Follow the teachings of the prophets; (2) Study the Book of Mormon to gain your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel; (3) Be kind, loving, and charitable; (4) Live and share the truth of the Father’s plan for our happiness, and (5) Live the Word of Wisdom.

            I thank God for the great blessing of living in a day when there are living prophets to lead and guide us in the ways of the Lord. I thank God for President Monson and the counsel he has given over the past year. I am grateful to know that he represents Heavenly Father and that his greatest desire to give me the counsel that I need to prepare to return to the presence of God. I know that President Monson is a prophet. “I thank thee, O God, for a prophet!”

"Charity Never Faileth"

            “Charity never faileth” is the motto of the Relief Society, the women’s group in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world. Charity is an attribute of Jesus Christ and necessary in order for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

            Thomas S. Monson, prophet, seer, revelator, and president of the Church, spoke on the topic of “Charity Never Faileth” at the Relief Society Broadcast in October 2010. He began his talk by sharing the following story. 

A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!”

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John – she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.”

John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!”

            President Monson then  asked, “Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don’t have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make about them?” He suggested that “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” could be compared with “Why beholdest thou what you think is dirty laundry at your neighbor’s house but considerest not the soiled window in our own house?” He continued.

None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions.

There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: “Judge not.” …

I have always loved your Relief Society motto: “Charity never faileth.” [1 Corinthians 13:8] What is charity? The prophet Mormon teaches us that “charity is the pure love of Christ.” [Moroni 7:47] In his farewell message to the Lamanites, Moroni declared, “Except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God.” [Moroni 10:21]

I consider charity – or “the pure love of Christ” – to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

            According to President Monson, we must have mercy, tolerance, sympathy, and compassion in order to have charity. For a recent religion class I chose to develop the Christlike attribute of tolerance. One of the “weekly opportunities” I did in my becoming project was to pray for a woman in my congregation that sorts of grates on my nerves. I decided that I would pray for this sister and her family every day. As my project continued, I became concerned for her and how she was dealing with difficult children and her husband’s occupation. I had softer, more tender thoughts about her. I do not know if my prayers helped her, but they helped me develop more tolerance for her. It was as though someone had “washed” my “windows.”

            In a recent Time Out for Women (TOFW) in Anchorage, Alaska, Anthony Sweat said that the opposite of charity is pride, selfishness, and cares of the world. He described charity as the “Fatherly love of God for His children and His children for Him.” Love of God fills us with joy. Love of God plus Love for God equals Love like God or Charity. Charity changes our natures.

            Charity is not easy to develop because it includes all the other Christlike attributes. We cannot develop charity until we have humility, meekness, patience, tolerance, etc. “Charity never faileth” because anyone who has charity is like Jesus Christ.

The Prophet Speaks

                Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regard Thomas S. Monson as a prophet of God. We believe that he speaks the words that Jesus Christ would want us to hear. I believe that blessings come when we follow the counsel of the prophet.

                President Monson spoke about charity in the October 2010 session for women in a talk titled “Charity Never Faileth.” The entire talk is well worth studying. Most members of the Church will remember the story he told about a young married couple named Lisa and John who moved into a new neighborhood.

                “One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash. `That laundry’s not clean!’ Lisa exclaimed. `Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!’”

                John did not say anything, and Lisa would make the same comments each time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry. A few weeks passed. Then one day “Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, `Look, John – she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.’

                “John replied, `Well dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!’”

                President Monson then said, “Tonight I’d like to share with you a few thoughts concerning how we view each other. Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don’t have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make about them?”

                I do not know about you, but I have come face-to-face with the fact that I am judgmental of others. I find myself looking through “dirty windows” when I recognize such thoughts as, “That’s a crazy outfit!” or “I wonder what she did to her hair” or “Why is she doing that?” I am not pleased to know that I am judgmental, but I can at least take credit for recognizing my weakness. Each time I recognize myself judging others, I call myself out on it. I am grateful that they are only thoughts and not words or actions. I hope to one day eliminate this weakness as I continue to work on it.

                President Monson continues, “None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions.

                “There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: `Judge not.’"

                I was gratified last Sunday when I did not judge a mother of a young child who was crying in sacrament meeting. I remembered how I felt as a young mother with crying children, and I felt only sympathy for her.

                President Monson quotes “Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life.” “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” He then reminds us that the “Savior has admonished, `This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.’ I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer – with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.”

                President Monson continues, “I have always loved your Relief Society motto: `Charity never faileth.’ What is charity? The prophet Mormon teaches us that `charity is the pure love of Christ’….

                “I consider charity – or `the pure love of Christ’ – to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

                “I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others….

                “In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.”

                The prophet has spoken. He tells us the words that Christ would have us hear. I am grateful that President Monson reminds us to have more charity for our fellow beings and stop judging them. Imagine what can happen in our homes and communities if we follow the counsel of the living prophet!

Charity

                Charity is the greatest of all virtues because it is the pure love of Jesus Christ.  We can understand charity better by looking at the life of Christ because His life reflects His pure love for all mankind.  He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us.  We can know if we have pure love by showing genuine concern and compassion for all mankind.

                An ancient American prophet by the name of Moroni wrote, “Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail – but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Moroni 7:46-37).

                Jesus Christ was a perfect man with a perfect love.  He showed us by His example that the spiritual and physical needs of other people are as important as our own.  He gave His life for us that we might have the opportunity to return to His presence.  Prior to His death, He said, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

                If we are to have true charity, we must be willing to give to the sick, afflicted, and poor.  One of the Savior’s parables was about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).  This parable teaches us that we are to help those in need regardless of whether they are family or friend.  The parable tells the story of man (probably a Jew) traveling to another city.  He was attacked by bandits during his travel.  The bandits beat him and then stole his clothes and money before leaving him for dead.  A Jewish priest came along, saw the injured man, and passed by him.  Then a Jewish temple attendant saw him, looked closely at him, and then went past him.  A Samaritan – one person of a group hated by the Jews – came along.  He saw the injured man and felt deep compassion.  He bandaged the man’s wounds and then put him on his donkey.  He took the man to an inn where he continued to care for him.  The next morning he paid the innkeeper to take care of the man until he recovered from his injuries.

                Jesus taught that we are to give food to the hungry, clothes to the poor, and shelter to those in need.  He taught us to visit the sick and those who are in prison and said if we are doing these things it is as though we were doing them to Him.  If we do these things, we are promised an inheritance in the celestial kingdom.

                Conversely, Jesus also taught that if we turn away those who are sick and in prison or in need of food, clothes or shelter, it is as though we turn away the Savior (see Mathew 25:34-36).  We are not responsible to decide whether or not they are “worthy” of our help (see Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:16-24).  We should take care of the needs of our own family first; then we should help all who need our help.  We are required to help everyone and let God sort out the details just as Heavenly Father send rain upon the just and on the unjust alike (Matt. 5:44-45).

                According to the Apostle Paul, we do not exhibit charity simply by giving to those in need; we do not have charity unless we feel compassion for the people we are helping (see 1 Corinthians 13:3).       Paul taught that we have charity if we have special feelings for all people.  When we have charity, we are patient, kind, not boastful or proud, not haughty, selfish or rude.  When we have charity, we do not remember or rejoice in the evil done by others.  When we have charity, we do not do good things simply for our own advantage.  When we have charity, we feel joy for those who live by the truth.  When we have charity, we are loyal; we believe the best about other people and defend them.  These good feelings stay with us when we have true charity (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

                We can become more charitable by practicing four principles:  (1) We can study the life of the Savior and keep His commandments; (2) We can pray for charity and to have uncharitable feelings taken away; (3) We can learn to love ourselves by learning to respect and trust ourselves; (4) We can love other people as we love ourselves by being patient with them and not thinking we are better than they are.

                The book of Enos in the Book of Mormon is about a young man who had a great desire to know if God had forgiven his sins.  “My soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.  And there came a voice unto me saying:  Enos, they sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed” (Enos 1:4-5).

                The Lord explained to Enos that He had forgiven his sins because Enos had so much faith in Jesus Christ.  When Enos understood that he was spiritually okay, he began to feel concern for the welfare of his friends and relative.  He prayed for them with all his heart, and the Lord told him that they would be blessed according to their faithfulness in keeping His commandments (Enos 1:7-9).

                Enos’ ability to love continued to increase, and he prayed for his enemies.  The Lord granted his desires, and Enos spent the rest of his life trying to have the souls of the Nephites and the Lamanites.  Enos willingly worked for all his remaining years helping others because he was so grateful for the Lord’s love and forgiveness (Enos 1:11-23).

 

                Enos had developed true charity.  We too can become truly charitable; in fact, we have been commanded to do so in order to inherit a place in the Father’s kingdom.

P. T. Barnum

                Phineas Taylor “P.T.”Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut, to Philo Barnum (1778-1826) and his second wife Irene Taylor.  His father was an inn keeper, tailor, and store-keeper.  P.T.’s third great grandfather, Thomas Barnum (1625-1695) emigrated from England and was the first Barnum ancestor in North America.  He was the favorite grandson of his maternal grandfather Phineas Taylor, a Whig, legislator, landowner, justice of the peace, and lottery schemer.

                When he was 19 years old Barnum married Charity Hallett.  The couple became the parents of four children:  Caroline C. (Barnum) Thompson, Pauline T. Barnum, Helen M. (Barnum) Buchtel, and Frances I. Barnum.  Charity Hallett Barnum  was born on October 28, 1808, in Bethel, Fairfield, Connecticut, and passed away on November 19, 1873, place unknown.

                Barnum was good at arithmetic but did not like physical work.  His first job was as a store-keeper where he learned to haggle and deceive in order to make a sale.  He had several businesses:  a general store, a book auctioning trade, real estate speculation, and a state-wide lottery network.   He was active in local politics and started The Herald of Freedom, a weekly paper, in 1829 in Danbury, Connecticut.  He wrote editorials which led to libel suits by church leaders; he was prosecuted and spent two months in prison.  His imprisonment led to his becoming “a champion of the liberal movement upon his release.”

                In 1834 Barnum moved to New York City because Connecticut banned lotteries, the source of his main income.  He became a showman in 1835.  Barnum had a variety troupe called “Barnum’s Grand Scientific and Musical Theater.”  He purchased Scudder’s American Museum in New York City in 1841; after improving the attraction, he changed the name to “Barnum’s American Museum.  With its upgraded building and additional exhibits, it “became a popular showplace.”

                Barnum had several other businesses before entering the circus business at age 60.  With William Cameron Coup, Barnum established “P.T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome” in 1870 in Delavan, Wisconsin; it was basically “a traveling circus, menagerie and museum of `freaks.’”  The business had several name changes before merging in 1881 with James Bailey and James L. Hutchinson and becoming “P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth, and The Great London Circus, Sanger’s Royal British Menagerie and The Grand International Allied Shows United.”  The title was soon shortened to “Barnum & Bailey’s.”

                “This entertainment phenomenon was the first circus to display 3 rings, which made it the largest circus the world had ever seen.  The show’s first primary attraction was Jumbo, an African elephant he purchased in 1882 from the London Zoo.”  It also contained acts similar to his Traveling Menagerie (“acrobats, freak shows, and the world famous General Tom Thumb”).  The business experienced fires, train disasters and other setbacks but continued forward.  Barnum and Bailey split in 1885 but came back together in 1888 with “Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show On Earth”; this later became “Barnum & Bailey Circus,” which toured the world.

                Barnum became a “business giant” and “marketing expert;” he also rode “around the arena in a chariot, prior to each performance,” “watching, supporting, and enjoying the marvel and wonder he had created.” He is quoted as stating, “The noblest art is that of making others happy.”  He was “one of the very first circus owners to move his circus by train (and probably the very first to buy his own train).”  “His circus was sold to Ringling Brothers on July 8, 1907 for $400,000 (about $8.5 million in 2008 dollars). 

                The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circuses ran separately until they merged in 1919 forming the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.”  The Tufts University Biology Building honors Barnum, and Jumbo the elephant became the mascot of Tufts University.

                In 1865 Barnum represented Fairfield, Connecticut in the state legislature; he was a Republican.  After the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified, Barnum said in the legislature:  “A human soul, `that God has created and Christ died for,’ is not to be trifled with.  It may tenant the body of a Chinaman, a Turk, an Arab or a Hottentot – it is still an immortal spirit”. 

                In 1875 Barnum also served as Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, during which time he “worked to improve the water supply, bring gas lighting to streets, and enforce liquor and prostitution laws.  Barnum was instrumental in starting Bridgeport Hospital, founded in 1878, and was its first president.”

                Barnum died in his sleep at home on April 7, 1891; he was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut – a cemetery that he had designed himself.

Visiting Teaching

                    Families grow stronger as the adult female members of the family participate in the visiting teaching program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Being a visiting teacher strengthens a woman as she forgets her own troubles and ministers to other women.  Receiving visiting teachers strengthens a woman as she receives watch care and ministering from other women.  The two parts of the visiting teaching program support and strengthen homes and families.

In 1843, Church members in Nauvoo, Illinois, were divided into four wards.  In July of that year Relief Society leaders appointed four sisters in each ward to serve as a visiting committee.  The responsibilities of the committees were to assess the needs of their sisters and to collect donations.  The donations were used by the Relief Society to provide for the needy.

                    Visiting teachers no longer collect donations when we visit our sisters, but we still have the same responsibility to assess the needs of the sisters - spiritual and physical - and to work to meet those needs.  Eliza R. Snow (1804-87) who served as our second Relief Society general president explained:  "A teacher … should surely have so much of the Spirit of the Lord, as she enters a house to know what spirit she meets in there….  Plead before God and the Holy Ghost to get [the Spirit] so that you will be able to meet that spirit that prevails in that house … and you may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up."

                    President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, taught: "Charity [means] far more than a feeling of benevolence. Charity is born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is an effect of His Atonement."  An important way for us to exercise our faith in the Savior is to be charity in action.

                    Visiting teachers provide watchcare by contacting each sister, sharing a gospel message, and seeking to know the needs of the sister and her family.  Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, explained:  "Visiting teaching becomes the Lord's work when our focus is on people rather than percentages.  In reality, visiting teaching is never finished.  It is more a way of life than a task.  Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship."

                    We learn how to best minister to and meet the needs of each other and our families as we provide consistent and prayerful watchcare.  This ministering can take many forms.  President Thomas S. Monson taught, "Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another:  a question concerning a person's family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call.  If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good….  Countless are the acts of service provided by the vast army of Relief Society visiting teachers."

                    I know that the visiting teaching program was inspired by God for the benefit of all his daughters.  I always enjoy going into the homes of my sisters to leave a message and get to know them better; and I also enjoy having sisters come into my home to teach me.  I always try to make the visits as convenient as possible for my own teachers.  This program is a wonderful blessing for all the daughters of God and their families!

Charity

The topic of discussion for this Sabbath day is charity. Mormon, a prophet in the Book of Mormon said, "Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail - but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever" (Moroni 7:46-47; see also 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Nephi 26:30; Moroni 7:44-45, 48).

The World Book Encyclopedia defines charity as a "generous giving to the poor or to organizations which look after the sick, the poor, and the helpless; an act or work of charity; a fund, institution, or organization for helping the sick, the poor, and the helpless; alms; kindness in judging people's faults; love of one's fellow men; natural affection; love" (pp 343-344).

"The life of the Savior reflects His pure love for all people. He even gave His life for us. Charity is that pure love which our Savior Jesus Christ has, and He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us. The scriptures tell us that charity comes from a pure heart (see 1 Timothy 1:5). We have pure love when, from the willing heart, we show genuine concern and compassion for all our brothers and sisters" (Gospel Principles, p 173).

The Savior gave us a perfect example of charity in His life. As the Son of God, He had perfect love for all mankind, and He showed us how to love. He taught us as well as showed us by example that all mankind has spiritual and physical needs that are important. He said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." He also said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13).

Most people will not have to give their lives as the Savior did, but everyone can have charity by putting Christ at the center of their lives and by following His teachings and example. Just as the Savior did, we too can bring blessings into the lives of other people.

The Savior taught by using stories or parables. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ taught that we should give to those in need, whether we know them or not (see Luke 10:30-37). The parable tells of a man who was traveling to another city. While on the road he was attacked by robbers who stole his clothes and his money, beat him, and left him to die. A priest came along, saw the man and passed by. Then a temple attendant walked over to him, looked him over, and passed by. Along came a man from Samaria - people who were despised by the Jews. When he saw the man, he felt compassion for him and knelt beside him. The Samaritan bandaged the man's wounds and then put him on a donkey and took him to an inn. There he paid the innkeeper to care for the wounded man until he was healed.

Jesus taught his followers to give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. He taught that when we visit the sick, the widowed, the fatherless, or those in prison, it is as though we were doing those same things for Christ. He promises that those who care for the needy will inherit His kingdom. (See Mathew 25:34-46.)

Jesus also taught his followers that they didn't need to decide whether or not someone really deserved to be helped (see Mosiah 4:16-24). After we have taken care of our own family's needs, we should help all who need help to the extent of our ability. In helping as much as we are capable, we will be like our Father in Heaven, who sends rain to fall on the just and on the unjust alike (see Matthew 5:44-45).

Sometimes people need more than just material goods. President Thomas S. Monson said, "Let us ask ourselves the questions: `Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?' (Hymns, no. 223.) What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace - to have inspired gratitude in another human being.
"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" (Ensign, Nov. 2001, 60).

True charity must come from the heart. We do not have charity if we are being forced to share our material goods with others. We do not have charity if we give without feeling compassion for those in need (see 1 John 3:16-17). Paul the Apostle taught that we are filled with good feelings for all people when we have charity. If we have charity, we are patient and kind; we are not boastful, proud, selfish or crude. When we have charity, we do not remember or rejoice in the bad things done by others; neither do we do kind things to make others indebted to us. When we have charity, we share joy. When we have charity, we are loyal, believe the best in others, and show kindness to others. The scriptures teach, "Charity never faileth." (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.)

Jesus Christ, our Savior, gave us an example of how to feel toward and how to treat other people. He loved sinners but despised wickedness. He had compassion for little children, old people, the poor and the needy. He had such great love for all mankind that even while the soldiers were pounding nails into His hands and feet, He begged Heavenly Father to forgive them (see Luke 23:34). He was very firm when He said that if we want Heavenly Father to forgive us of our sins, we must forgive others of their trespasses against us (see Matthew 18:33-35).

We can learn to feel toward others as Jesus did by following his formula: "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" (Matthew 5:44, 46).

So - now that we know what charity is - how can we develop more charity? 1) We can study the life of Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. By learning what He did in certain situations, we can know what to do when we are faced with similar situations. 2) We can pray for greater charity - especially when we have uncharitable feelings towards someone. The prophet Mormon counseled, "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love [charity], which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ" (Moroni 7:48). 3) We can learn to love ourselves by gaining the understanding that we are children of God. The Savior taught us that we must love others as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:39). When we love ourselves, we also have respect and love for ourselves. We can learn to love ourselves by being obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our wrongdoing, and then forgiving ourselves. As we grow in love for ourselves, we can also feel the deep love that the Savior feels for us. 4) We can stop thinking we are better than other people and learn to have patience with their faults. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The nearer we get to our Heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 428-429).

In the Book of Mormon there is a story about a young man named Enos who was concerned about his sins. While he was out in nature, he felt the need to commune with God. He said, "My soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
"And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed" (Enos 1:4-5).

When Enos asked how this could be, the Lord explained that his sins were forgiven because he had faith in Jesus Christ. The interesting thing to me is that when Enos heard that his sins were forgiven, he knew that the Lord loved him and would bless him. He also was able to forget about himself and was able to reach out to others. He was concerned about his family and friends, the Nephites and he poured out his whole soul to God in their behalf. The Lord again answered his prayer by telling him that they would be blessed according to their faithfulness in keeping the commandments. When Enos knew that his family and associates would be blessed, he reached out even further and began to pray with many long strugglings for his enemies, the Lamanites. The Lord assured him that his desires would be granted, and Enos spent the rest of his life trying to save the souls of both the Nephites and the Lamanites. (See Enos 1:6-26.)

Enos was filled with true gratitude for the Lord's love and forgiveness and became filled with charity. He spent the rest of his life helping others to receive this same gift. Enos became more like Jesus Christ when he learned to be truly charitable. We can and must learn to have charity in order to inherit the place in Heavenly Father's kingdom that is being prepared for each of us. True charity cannot be legislated or taxed or otherwise forced. It must come from a willing and loving heart.

Charity

There is much talk today of the need for charity in our nation and how government can force us to be charitable, but what is the true definition of charity? The World Book Dictionary defines charity as a "generous giving to the poor or to organizations which look after the sick, the poor, and the helpless; an act or work of charity; a fund, institution, or organization for helping the sick, the poor, and the helpless; alms; kindness in judging people's faults; love of one's fellow men; natural affection; love" (pp 343-344). "The life of the Savior reflects His pure love for all people. He even gave His life for us. Charity is that pure love which our Savior Jesus Christ has. He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us. The scriptures tell us that charity comes from a pure heart (see 1Timothy 1:5). We have pure love when, from the heart, we show genuine concern and compassion for all our brothers and sisters" (Gospel Principles, p 173). I noticed that in neither of these definitions is any mention of government-enforced charity. Charity comes from the heart of a willing giver. Mormon, a prophet in the Book of Mormon said, "Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail - but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever" (Moroni 7:46-47; see also 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Nephi 26:30; Moroni 7:44-45, 48). The Savior gave us a perfect example of charity in His life. As the Son of God, He had perfect love for all mankind, and He showed us how to love. He taught us as well as showed us by example that all mankind has spiritual and physical needs that are important. He said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." He also said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13). Most people will not have to give their lives as the Savior did, but everyone can have charity by putting Christ at the center of their lives and by following His teachings and example. Just as the Savior did, we too can bring blessings into the lives of other people. The Savior taught by using stories or parables. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ taught that we should give to those in need, whether we know them or not (see Luke 10:30-37). The parable tells of a man who was traveling to another city. While on the road he was attacked by robbers who stole his clothes and his money, beat him, and left him to die. A priest came along, saw the man and passed by. Then a temple attendant walked over to him, looked him over, and passed by. Along came a man from Samaria - a people who were despised by the Jews. When he saw the man, he felt compassion for him and knelt beside him. The Samaritan bandaged the man's wounds and then put him on a donkey and took him to an inn. There he paid the innkeeper to care for the wounded man until he was healed. Jesus taught his followers to give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. He also taught that when we visit the sick, the widowed, the fatherless, or those in prison, it is as though we were doing those same things for Christ. He promises that those who care for the needy will inherit His kingdom. (See Mathew 25:34-46.) Jesus also taught his followers that they didn't need to decide whether or not someone really deserved to be helped (see Mosiah 4:16-24). After we have taken care of our own family's needs, we should help all who need help to the extent of our ability. In helping as much as we are capable, we will be like our Father in Heaven, who sends rain to fall on the just and on the unjust alike (see Matthew 5:44-45). Sometimes people need more than just material goods. President Thomas S. Monson said, "Let us ask ourselves the questions: `Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?' (Hymns, no. 223.) What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace - to have inspired gratitude in another human being. "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" (Ensign, Nov. 2001, 60). True charity must come from the heart. We do not have charity if we give without feeling compassion for those in need (see 1 John 3:16-17). Paul the Apostle taught that we are filled with good feelings for all people when we have charity. If we have charity, we are patient and kind; we are not boastful, proud, selfish or crude. When we have charity, we do not remember or rejoice in the bad things done by others; neither do we do kind things to make others indebted to us. When we have charity, we share joy. When we have charity, we are loyal, believe the best in others, and show kindness to others. The scriptures teach, "Charity never faileth." (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.) Jesus Christ, our Savior, gave us an example of how to feel toward and how to treat other people. He loved sinners but despised wickedness. He had compassion for little children, old people, the poor and the needy. He had such great love for all mankind that even while the soldiers were pounding nails into His hands and feet, He begged Heavenly Father to forgive them (see Luke 23:34). He was very firm when He said that if we want Heavenly Father to forgive us of our sins, we must forgive others of their trespasses against us (see Matthew 18:33-35). We can learn to feel toward others as Jesus did by following his formula: "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" (Matthew 5:44, 46). So - now that we know what charity is - how can we develop more charity? 1) We can study the life of Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. By learning what He did in certain situations, we can know what to do when we are faced with the same kinds of situations. 2) We can pray for greater charity - especially when we have uncharitable feelings towards someone. The prophet Mormon counseled, "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love [charity], which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ" (Moroni 7:48). 3) We can learn to love ourselves by gaining the understanding that we are children of God. The Savior taught us that we must love others as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:39). When we love ourselves, we also have respect and love for ourselves. We can learn to love ourselves by being obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our wrongdoing, and then forgiving ourselves. As we grow in love for ourselves, we can also feel the deep love that the Savior feels for us. 4) We can stop thinking we are better than other people and learn to have patience with their faults. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The nearer we get to our Heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 428-429). In the Book of Mormon there is a story about a young man named Enos who was concerned about his sins. While he was out in nature, he felt the need to commune with God. He said, "My soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. "And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed" (Enos 1:4-5). When Enos asked how this could be, the Lord explained that his sins were forgiven because he had faith in Jesus Christ. The interesting thing to me is that when Enos heard that his sins were forgiven, he knew that the Lord loved him and would bless him. He also was able to forget about himself and was able to reach out to others. He was concerned about his family and friends, the Nephites and he poured out his whole soul to God in their behalf. The Lord again answered his prayer by telling him that they would be blessed according to their faithfulness in keeping the commandments. When Enos knew that his family and associates would be blessed, he reached out even further and began to pray with many long strugglings for his enemies, the Lamanites. The Lord assured him that his desires would be granted, and Enos spent the rest of his life trying to save the souls of both the Nephites and the Lamanites. (See Enos 1:6-26.) Enos was filled with true gratitude for the Lord's love and forgiveness and became filled with charity. He spent the rest of his life helping others to receive this same gift. Enos became more like Jesus Christ when he learned to be truly charitable. We can and must learn to have charity in order to inherit the place in Heavenly Father's kingdom that is being prepared for each of us. True charity cannot be legislated or taxed or otherwise forced. It must come from a willing and loving heart.