CHARACTER OF CHRIST EXTRA QUOTES

Dallin H. Oaks
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God
are supposed to become. This spotless and perfected state will result from a steady
succession of covenants, ordinances, and actions, an accumulation of right choices,
and from continuing repentance. This life is the time for men to prepare to meet
God (Alma 34:32).
David A. Bednar
Character refers to the moral qualities of an individual that are conscientiously and
consistently lived.
Bruce R. McConkie
To gain salvation, men must come unto the Father, attain the faith that he
exercises, and be as he is. Christ has done so; he is both a saved being and the
perfect and only illustration of what others must do to gain like inheritances and be
joint-heirs with him. He is thus the way to the Father; no man cometh unto the
Father but by him and by his word. He is our Mediator, Advocate, and Intercessor,
all because he wrought out the perfect atonement through the shedding of his own
blood. Through him, and through him only, fallen men may be reconciled to God if
they repent and work righteousness.
Christ and his Father are one. They possess the same powers, are of the same
character, embody the same attributes, and stand as beacons to all others with
reference to the same eternal perfections. The words and acts of one are the words
and acts of the other. The Father was in Christ manifesting himself to the world.
Hence, faith in the Son is faith in the Father. And as Christ is the way to the Father,
faith centers in him and in his redeeming sacrifice and goes thereby to the Father
(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 185).
David A. Bednar
One of the greatest indicators of righteous character is the capacity to recognize
and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge
or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is
revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when
we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are
hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual
agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Therefore,
character is demonstrated by looking, turning, and reaching outward when the
instinctive response of the natural man (Mosiah 3:19) in each of us is to turn
inward and to be selfish and self-absorbed. And the Savior of the world is the
source, the standard, and the ultimate criterion of moral character and the perfect
example of charity and consistence.

Dallin H. Oaks
The Apostle Paul taught that the Lords teachings and teachers were given that we
may all attain the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). This
process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to
be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In
contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the
gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.
Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will
be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But
other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition
we have achieved.
The prophet Nephi describes the Final Judgment in terms of what we have become:
And if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be
filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God (1 Ne. 15:33;
emphasis added). Moroni declares, He that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that
is righteous shall be righteous still (Morm. 9:14; emphasis added; see also Rev.
22:1112; 2 Ne. 9:16; D&C 88:35). The same would be true of selfish or
disobedient or any other personal attribute inconsistent with the requirements of
God. Referring to the state of the wicked in the Final Judgment, Alma explains that
if we are condemned by our words, our works, and our thoughts, we shall not be
found spotless; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God
(Alma 12:14).
From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation
of a sum total of good and evil actswhat we have done. It is an acknowledgment
of the final effect of our acts and thoughtswhat we have become. It is not enough
for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and
covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some
heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become
what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
Dallin H. Oaks
A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not
yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be
wasted. The father said to his child:
All that I have I desire to give younot only my wealth, but also my position and
standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am
you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I
have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by
which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I
have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.
Jesus the Christ

As it is better that a man undergo surgical treatment though he lose thereby a

hand, a foot, or an eye, than that his whole body be involved and his life forfeited,
so is it commended that he cut off, tear away, or root out from his soul the passions
of evil, which, if suffered to remain shall surely bring him under condemnation.
Mark E. Peterson
What think ye of Christ? To bring it down to our own day, let us ask ourselves, What
do we, personally, think of him?
Latter-day Saints are able to identify him very quickly. Christ is Jesus of Nazareth,
who was born of Mary in Bethlehem. He also is our Redeemer and our Creator, the
divine Son of God.
But knowing who he is, what shall we do about him? Shall we fully accept him, or
brush him aside, or take some middle-of-the-road attitude and compromise our
beliefs according to existing pressures?
The misdirected Pharisees with whom he spoke took pride in rites and rituals, but
were nevertheless condemned by the Lord because they neglected the weightier
matters of the law: fair judgment, mercy, and the exercise of true faith which
produces righteous works.
When the Savior spoke of those weightier matters he referred to personal
relationships between people.... It is significant that he made those relationships a
vital part of his gospel. It is indeed remarkable that the nature of our dealings with
our fellowmen will determine, in large measure, our status in the kingdom of
heaven.
In other words, we ourselves may be like the ancient Pharisees. We may attend to
rites and rituals and yet overlook the weightier matters such as brotherly kindness,
honesty, mercy, virtue, and integrity. Let us never forget that if we omit them from
our lives we may be found unworthy to come into His presence.
Ezra Taft Benson
The Apostle Peter spoke of the process by which a person can be made a partaker
of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:5-8). This is important, for if we truly become
partakers of the divine nature, we shall become like Him. Let us examine closely
what Peter teaches us about this process. Here is what he said:
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity

(2 Pet. 1:57).
The virtues outlined by Peter are part of the divine nature, or the Saviors character.
These are the virtues we are to emulate if we would be more like Him.

Faith
Ezra Taft Benson
The first characteristic, to which all the others are added, is faith. Faith is the
foundation upon which a godlike character is built. It is a prerequisite for all other
virtues.
Brigham Young
I will take the liberty of saying to every man and woman who wishes to obtain
salvation through [the Savior] that looking to Him, only, is not enough: they must
have faith in His name, character and atonement; and they must have faith in His
Father and in the plan of salvation devised and wrought out by the Father and the
Son. What will this faith lead to? It will lead to obedience to the requirements of
the Gospel (Deseret News [Weekly], July 28, 1869, 293; emphasis added).
Gordon B. Hinckley
This precious and marvelous gift of faith, this gift from God our Eternal Father, is still
the strength of this work and the quiet vibrancy of its message. Faith underlies it all.
Faith is the substance of it all. Whether it be going into the mission field, living the
Word of Wisdom, paying ones tithing, it is all the same. It is the faith within us that
is evidenced in all we do.
Faith is the basis of testimony. Faith underlies loyalty to the Church. Faith represents
sacrifice, gladly given in moving forward the work of the Lord.

Virtue
Definition
behavior showing high moral standards.
Synonyms
goodness, virtuousness, righteousness, morality, integrity, dignity, rectitude, honor,
decency, respectability, nobility, worthiness, purity
Essentially the opposite of Hypocrisy setting a high moral standard for your life
and living up to it.
Mission Prep Manual
President James E. Faust, a counselor in the First Presidency, explained: Many
people do not fully understand the meaning of virtue. One commonly understood

meaning is to be chaste or morally clean, but virtue in its fuller sense encompasses
all traits of righteousness that help us form our character. An old sampler found in a
museum in Newfoundland, stitched in 1813, reads: Virtue is the chiefest beauty of
the mind, the noblest ornament of humankind. Virtue is our safeguard and our
guiding star that stirs up reason when our senses err (The Virtues of Righteous
Daughters of God, Ensign, May 2003, 108).
David H. Burton
Today I wish to speak about personal traits we call virtues. Virtuous traits form the
foundation of a Christian life and are the outward manifestation of the inner man.
The spelling in English of many individual virtues concludes with the letters ity:
integrity, humility, charity, spirituality, accountability, civility, fidelity, and the list
goes on and on. Relying on literary license, I refer to the virtues ending in ity as the
ity virtues. Ity is a suffix that means quality, state, or degree of being.
President James E. Faust suggested that integrity is the mother of many virtues. He
noted that integrity can be defined as a firm adherence to a code of moral values.
He also suggested that integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined
conscience. It is the strength of duty within us (Integrity, the Mother of Many
Virtues, in Speaking Out on Moral Issues [1998], 61, 62). It is difficult for a person
to display virtuous traits if he or she lacks integrity. Without integrity, honesty is
often forgotten. If integrity is absent, civility is impaired. If integrity is not important,
spirituality is difficult to maintain. In Old Testament times, Moses counseled the
children of Israel that if a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind
his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that
proceedeth out of his mouth (Numbers 30:2).

Knowledge
D&C 131:6 - it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance
Ezra Taft Benson
I add my voice to these wise and inspired brethren and say to you that one of the
most important things you can do as priesthood leaders is to immerse yourselves in
the scriptures. Search them diligently. Feast upon the words of Christ. Learn the
doctrine. Master the principles that are found therein. Few other efforts will
bring greater dividends to your calling. Few other ways [will result in] greater
inspiration.
You must see that studying and searching the scriptures is not a burden laid
upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity (Ensign, May
1986, p. 81).
Spencer W. Kimball
Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular without the foundation of the
spiritual is like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. One need not

choose between the two for there is opportunity to get both simultaneously (The
Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft,
1982, p. 390).
Richard G. Scott
Since it requires much personal effort to gain and use worthwhile knowledge, you
cannot endlessly sample from every fascinating arena of life. Therefore, you should
select carefully a few vital areas where you can focus energy to learn and share
vital truths. I know that to gain knowledge of great worth requires extraordinary
personal effort. This is particularly true when our desire is to obtain spiritual
knowledge. President Kimball said it this way:
The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden onesbut hidden
from those who do not properly search and strive to find them. Spiritual
knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It
takes persistence and dedication of ones life. Of all treasures of knowledge, the
most vital is the knowledge of God (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 389
90).
Richard G. Scott
To keep the commandments, you must know them. The best single source for
learning them is the scriptures. President Joseph Fielding Smith gave this
admonition:
Today we are troubled by evil-designing persons who [endeavor] to destroy the
testimonies of members of the Church, and many are in danger because of lack
of understanding and because they have not sought the guidance of the Spirit. It
is a commandment from the Lord that members be diligent and study the
fundamental truths of the gospel. Every baptized person [can] have an abiding
testimony. but [it] will grow dim and eventually disappear [without] study,
obedience, and diligent seeking to know and understand the truth (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1963, p. 22).
Richard G. Scott
Profound spiritual truth cannot simply be poured from one mind and heart to
another. It takes faith and diligent effort. Precious truth comes a small piece at a
time through faith, with great exertion, and at times wrenching struggles. The Lord
intends it be that way so that we can mature and progress. Moroni said, Dispute
not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith
(Ether 12:6).
As packets of knowledge unfold, they must be understood, valued, obeyed,
remembered, and expanded. Ill explain:

Understood. As each element of truth is encountered, you must carefully

examine it in the light of prior knowledge to determine where it fits. Ponder it;

inspect it inside out. Study it from every vantage point to discover hidden
meaning. View it in perspective to confirm you have not jumped to false
conclusions. Prayerful reflection yields further understanding. Such evaluation
is particularly important when the truth comes as an impression of the Spirit.
Valued. You show knowledge is valued by expressing appreciation for it,
especially in heartfelt prayers of gratitude. The Lord said: He who receiveth
all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this
earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more (D&C
78:19).
Obeyed. Obedient application of truth is the surest way of making it eternally
yours. The wise use of knowledge will permeate your life with its precious
fruit.
Remembered. Powerful spiritual direction in your life can be overcome or
forced into the background unless you provide a way to retain it. Brigham
Young declared, If you love the truth you can remember it (Discourses of
Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954,
p. 10). Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need.
Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that
communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the
likelihood of your receiving further light.
Expanded. This thought refers to rich benefits that come from your efforts to
enlarge, extend, and increase your understanding of truth. Use the scriptures
and the declarations of the prophets to expand your knowledge. You will find
that efforts to share knowledge are often rewarded with more understanding
as additional light flows into your mind and heart (see D&C 8:23).

Bruce R. McConkie
The scriptures are in our hands. The door to investigation and research and
learning is never closed. We are all expected to learn the same truths, live the same
laws, and open the same door to the same mysteries.

Temperance
Kent D. Watson
When Paul wrote Titus, describing the attributes necessary for a bishop to assist in
this work, he said a bishop must not [be] selfwilled, not soon angry, [but]
temperate. 3 Being temperate is to use moderation in all things or to exercise selfcontrol.
Kent D. Watson
Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process
which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not
easily break into jagged shards that can injure.
Likewise, a temperate soulone who is humble and full of loveis also a person of
increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to

develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper,

our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect
ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of todays
world.
Ezra Taft Benson
A priesthood holder is temperate. This means he is restrained in his emotions and
verbal expressions. He does things in moderation and is not given to
overindulgence. In a word, he has self-control. He is the master of his emotions, not
the other way around.

Patience
Elder Wirthlin
"Patience with family members and others who are close to us is vital for us to have
happy homes. However, we often seem more willing to be courteous and polite with
strangers than with those in our own family circles. For some reason, criticism,
sharp language, and quarreling too often seem to be acceptable at home but not
away from home.
Husbands, be patient with your wives; and wives, be patient with your husbands.
Dont expect perfection. Find agreeable ways to work out the differences that arise.
Remember President David O. McKays wise counsel regarding marriage: keep your
eyes wide open before marriage and half closed afterward (see Conference Report,
Apr. 1956, p. 9). Perhaps, on occasion, our wives could get into the car and honk the
horn while we, as husbands, get the children ready.
Parents, be patient with your children. Read to your little children and help them
with their schoolwork, even if you need to tell or show them the same thing many
times. Elder Richard L. Evans said, If they find that they can trust us with their
trivial questions, they may later trust us with more weighty ones (Ensign, May
1971, p. 12). Capitalize on their natural curiosity and help them develop a love for
learning. Teach them the principles of the gospel in simple terms. Be patient with
them if they disturb family home evening or family prayers. Convey to them the
reverence you feel for the gospel, Church leaders, and the Savior.
Be patient with your youth, especially as they make the transition from adolescence
to adulthood. Many of them have the appearance of adults and think they are
adults, but they have had little experience with which to make adult judgments.
Help them to get the experience they need and to avoid the pitfalls that can harm
them.
On the other hand, I urge you children to be patient with your parents. If they seem
to be out of touch on such vital issues as dating, clothing styles, modern music, and
use of family cars, listen to them anyway. They have the experience that you lack.
Very few, if any, of the challenges and temptations you face are new to them. If you

think they know nothing about the vital issues I just mentioned, take a good look at
their high school and college yearbooks. Most important, they love you and will do
anything they can to help you be truly happy.
I advise you to be patient in financial matters. Avoid rash or hurried financial
decisions; such decisions require patience and study. Get-rich-quick schemes
seldom work. Beware of debt. Be especially careful of easily obtained credit even if
the interest is tax deductible. You young couples should not expect to begin your
married lives with homes, automobiles, appliances, and conveniences comparable
to those your parents have spent years accumulating.
Finally, a word about patience with our Heavenly Father and his plan of eternal
progression. How incredibly foolish to be impatient with him, the Father of our
spirits, who knows everything and whose work and glory, through his Son, Jesus
Christ, is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). As
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly
Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know
what is bestbetter than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable
is better than his. Either way we are questioning the reality of Gods omniscience
(Ensign, Oct. 1980, p. 28).
Richard L. Evans
There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a
hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth, and to the farthest
reaches of the firmament, there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and
working and waiting (in Conference Report, Oct. 1952, p. 95)."
Ezra Taft Benson
Patience is another form of self-control. It is the ability to postpone gratification and
to bridle ones passions. In his relationships with loved ones, a patient man does not
engage in impetuous behavior that he will later regret. Patience is composure under
stress. A patient man is understanding of others faults.
A patient man also waits on the Lord. We sometimes read or hear of people who
seek a blessing from the Lord, then grow impatient when it does not come swiftly.
Part of the divine nature is to trust in the Lord enough to be still and know that [he
is] God (D&C 101:16).
A priesthood holder who is patient will be tolerant of the mistakes and failings of his
loved ones. Because he loves them, he will not find fault nor criticize nor blame.

Godliness
Mission Prep Manual

The power of godliness is manifest in the ordinances of the priesthood (D&C

84:20). Godliness is not a product of perfection; it comes of concentration and
consecration.
Russell M. Nelson
Godliness characterizes each of you who truly loves the Lord. You are constantly
mindful of the Saviors atonement and rejoice in His unconditional love. Meanwhile
you vanquish personal pride and vain ambition. You consider your accomplishments
important only if they help establish His kingdom on earth (in Conference Report,
Oct. 1991, 83; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 61).
Lorenzo Snow
Develop the character traits of godliness. Be upright, just, and merciful, exercising a
spirit of nobility and godliness in all your intentions and resolutionsin all your acts
and dealings. Cultivate a spirit of charity, be ready to do for others more than you
would expect from them if circumstances were reversed. Be ambitious to be great,
not in the estimation of the worldly minded, but in the eyes of God, and to be great
in this sense: Love the Lord your God with all your might, mind and strength, and
your neighbor as yourself. You must love mankind because they are your brethren,
the offspring of God. Pray diligently for this spirit of philanthropy, this expansion of
thought and feeling, and for power and ability to labor earnestly in the interest of
Messiahs kingdom. (May 1884, BLS, p. 487.)

Brotherly Kindness
President Gordon B. Hinckley
I pray that each of us will be a little more kind, a little more thoughtful, a little
more courteous. I pray that we will keep our tongues in check and not let anger
prompt words which we would later regret. I pray that we may have the strength
and the will to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile in lifting up the feeble
knees of those in distress.
May God bless you, my wonderful, faithful associates, in this great work. May His
peace and His love be upon you and enshrine your lives with an essence of
godliness (in Conference Report, Oct. 2003, 10910; or Ensign, Nov. 2003, 103).
3 Ne. 12:2324
If ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that
thy brother hath aught against thee
Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come
unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
Mark E. Peterson

In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants we read that the Lord shall
come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every
man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. (D&C
1:10.)
This teaching deserves the most careful consideration, for on judgment day the Lord
will mete out to us precisely as we have dealt with our fellowmen, unless we have
fully repented. It is a staggering thought, and yet it is an integral factor in the Lords
method of judgment. Do we realize its broad significance? Do we see how we shall
reap what we sow?
D&C 108:7
Therefore strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in
all your exhortations and in all your doing.

Charity
President Ezra Taft Benson
The final and crowning virtue of the divine character is charity, or the pure love of
Christ (see Moroni 7:47). If we would truly seek to be more like our Savior
and Master, then learning to love as He loves should be our highest goal.
Mormon called charity the greatest of all (Moroni 7:46).
The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought for by many. But
the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity
never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal
growth and joy of others (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 62; or Ensign, Nov.
1986, 47).
Elder David A. Bednar
Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and
appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or
adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is
revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when
we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are
hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual
agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus,
character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and
instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is
indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the
perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character.
I suspect the Savior may have been at least partially spent physically after forty
days of fasting--and somewhat spiritually drained after His encounter with the
adversary. With this background information in mind, please turn with me now to

Matthew 4, and together we will read verse 11: "Then the devil leaveth him, and,
behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
This verse in the King James version of the New Testament clearly indicates that
angels came and ministered to the Savior after the devil had departed. And,
undoubtedly, Jesus would have benefitted from and been blessed by such a
heavenly ministration in a time of physical and spiritual need.
However, the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4:11 provides a remarkable
insight into the character of Christ. Please note the important differences in verse
11 between the King James version and the Joseph Smith Translation: "Then the
devil leaveth him, and, now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent
angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him (John)."
Interestingly, the additions found in the JST completely change our understanding of
this event. Angels did not come and minister to the Savior; rather, the Savior, in His
own state of spiritual, mental, and physical distress, sent angels to minister to John.
Brothers and sisters, it is important for us to recognize that Jesus in the midst of His
own challenge recognized and appropriately responded to John--who was
experiencing a similar but lesser challenge than that of the Savior's. Thus, the
character of Christ is manifested as He reached outward and ministered to one who
was suffering--even as He himself was experiencing anguish and torment.
Mark E. Peterson
We all remember these familiar words: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
who is in heaven. (3 Ne. 14:21.) This, too, should give us pause, for mere
protestations of faith will not admit us into the kingdom, even though we may say,
Have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in
thy name done many wonderful works? (3 Ne. 14:22.)
If we have not obeyed the weightier matters of the law, dealing justly with our
fellowmen, he will surely say to us: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work
iniquity. (3 Ne. 14:23.)
This helps us to better understand the words of Paul as he said: Though I speak
with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have
not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to
be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (1 Cor. 13:13.)
Joseph Smith
Dont be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors virtues. You must

enlarge your souls toward others if you [would] do like Jesus. As you increase in
innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expandlet
them be enlarged towards othersyou must be longsuffering and bear with the
faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!

Silvia H. Allred
In his powerful discourse on charity, Paul makes reference to faith, hope, and
charity, concluding with, But the greatest of these is charity.
He describes the qualities embodied in charity. He said:
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
Seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth.
In reviewing Pauls description of charity, we learn that charity is not a single act
or something we give away but a state of being, a state of the heart, kind feelings
that engender loving actions.
Thomas S. Monson
Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the
impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It
is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to
attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize
others.
Joseph B. Wirthlin
In the first century A.D., members of the growing Church in Corinth were
enthusiastic about the gospel. Almost all were recent converts to the Church. Many
were attracted to it through the preaching of the Apostle Paul and others.
But the Saints at Corinth were also contentious. They argued amongst themselves.
Some felt superior to others. They took each other to court.
When Paul heard this, feeling a sense of frustration, he wrote them a letter,
pleading with them to become more unified. He answered many of the questions
they had been arguing about. Then, toward the end, he told them that he wanted to
show them a more excellent way.1
Do you remember the words he wrote next?

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, he
told them, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Pauls message to this new body of Saints was simple and direct: 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 wont profit you at
all.

Joseph B. Wirthlin
Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It
comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and
through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of
eternal life.
When Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to love one another; as I have
loved you,25 He gave to them the grand key to happiness in this life and glory in
the next.
Love is the greatest of all the commandmentsall others hang upon it. It is our
focus as followers of the living Christ. It is the one trait that, if developed, will most
improve our lives.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of resentment and wrath from our
eyes, allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us: as flawed and
imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine.
Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive each other.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our
adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment.
We are not perfect.
The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint, and
anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.
Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to
learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lords way.
Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven.
And they forgive.
David A. Bednar

Let me suggest that you and I must be praying and yearning and striving and
working to cultivate a Christlike character if we hope to receive the spiritual gift of
charity the pure love of Christ. Charity is not a trait or characteristic we acquire
exclusively through our own purposive persistence and determination. Indeed we
must honor our covenants and live worthily and do all that we can do to qualify for
the gift, but ultimately the gift of charity possesses us we do not possess it.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity
never faileth. 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; and
whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him: (Moroni
7:46-47; emphasis added).