The Pure Love of a Parent
A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in Sunday School listening to the discussion. I can't remember what the topic was but I do remember that charity was mentioned.
For some reason the discussion made me consider a new description for charity.
Moroni 7:47 defines charity as "the pure love of Christ."
It is because of the love of our Heavenly Father that we are here, and why he sent his only begotten son to be our Savior.
Redefining charity, my mind came us with "charity is the pure love of a parent." Obviously, it could be the pure love of a mother, or father, but I decided to use "parent" to cover both.
Since getting married and having children I have learned more about what being a parent is really like. I've discovered that being a parent is probably one of the best laboratories for testing us and preparing us to become more like our Father in Heaven.
So, let me rewrite Moroni chapter 7 verses 45-47.
45 And the love of a parent suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the love of a parent, ye are nothing, for the love of a parent never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the love of a parent, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
47 But charity is the pure love of a parent, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
In doing this, I have no intention to diminish charity as being the pure love of Christ. On the contrary, my intent is to both add some understanding to what charity is, and to help us realize that, while we may define charity as the pure love of Christ, his love is the love of our Heavenly Father. By accepting Christ and taking on us his name, the scriptures tell us we become his children and he becomes our father. So, being a little more specific we might say that charity is the pure love of the Father.
Any parent who truly cares for their child(ren) has likely experienced at least a portion of this love at some time. Most have probably experienced it many times. Part of it includes the willingness and desire to do all that you can to help the child, to protect them. Part of this love causes a parent to feel a portion of the anguish, heartache, and pain that comes when reading of another's child being hurt in any way. It is this love of a parent that keeps us moving on, trying to be more patient with our children. This love helps us to feel the joy and happiness in being a parent and seeing our children progress, and to share in their joys. This parental love brings us closer to our children, and can bring our children closer to us.
Parents are long suffering and "beareth all things" when it comes to their children.
Too often I think many of us see charity as something difficult to attain, or as some attribute that is reserved for those who are more righteous. But, I think the truth is many have experienced what charity is and haven't realized it. If we can learn to apply the love we have as parents towards others, realizing and understanding that those others are really our brothers and sisters, then I think we are well on our way to being "found possessed of [charity] at the last day."
For some reason the discussion made me consider a new description for charity.
Moroni 7:47 defines charity as "the pure love of Christ."
It is because of the love of our Heavenly Father that we are here, and why he sent his only begotten son to be our Savior.
Redefining charity, my mind came us with "charity is the pure love of a parent." Obviously, it could be the pure love of a mother, or father, but I decided to use "parent" to cover both.
Since getting married and having children I have learned more about what being a parent is really like. I've discovered that being a parent is probably one of the best laboratories for testing us and preparing us to become more like our Father in Heaven.
So, let me rewrite Moroni chapter 7 verses 45-47.
45 And the love of a parent suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the love of a parent, ye are nothing, for the love of a parent never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the love of a parent, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
47 But charity is the pure love of a parent, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
In doing this, I have no intention to diminish charity as being the pure love of Christ. On the contrary, my intent is to both add some understanding to what charity is, and to help us realize that, while we may define charity as the pure love of Christ, his love is the love of our Heavenly Father. By accepting Christ and taking on us his name, the scriptures tell us we become his children and he becomes our father. So, being a little more specific we might say that charity is the pure love of the Father.
Any parent who truly cares for their child(ren) has likely experienced at least a portion of this love at some time. Most have probably experienced it many times. Part of it includes the willingness and desire to do all that you can to help the child, to protect them. Part of this love causes a parent to feel a portion of the anguish, heartache, and pain that comes when reading of another's child being hurt in any way. It is this love of a parent that keeps us moving on, trying to be more patient with our children. This love helps us to feel the joy and happiness in being a parent and seeing our children progress, and to share in their joys. This parental love brings us closer to our children, and can bring our children closer to us.
Parents are long suffering and "beareth all things" when it comes to their children.
Too often I think many of us see charity as something difficult to attain, or as some attribute that is reserved for those who are more righteous. But, I think the truth is many have experienced what charity is and haven't realized it. If we can learn to apply the love we have as parents towards others, realizing and understanding that those others are really our brothers and sisters, then I think we are well on our way to being "found possessed of [charity] at the last day."
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