Pure Love of Christ

Joseph B. Wirthlin said: "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 won't profit you at all....

"Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.

"When we inspire and teach others to fill their hearts with love, obedience flows from the inside out in voluntary acts of self-sacrifice and service" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, The Great Commandment, Ensign, November 2007)



Dallin H. Oaks said: "We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his famous teaching about the importance of charity (see 1 Cor. 13). The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes." (Dallin H. Oaks, The Challenge to Become, Ensign November 2000)


"We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and, if necessary, shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us....

Howard W. Hunter said: ""We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and, if necessary, shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us....
We need to walk more resolutely and more charitably the path that Jesus has shown. We need to 'pause to help and lift another' and surely we will find 'strength beyond [our] own.' If we would do more to learn 'the healer's art,' there would be untold chances to use it, to touch the 'wounded and the weary' and show to all 'a gentle[r] heart.'" (Howard W. Hunter, A More Excellent Way, Ensign, May 1992)



M. Russell Ballard said: "Working together, these three eternal principles will help give us the broad eternal perspective we need to face life's toughest challenges, including the prophesied ordeals of the last days. Real faith fosters hope for the future; it allows us to look beyond ourselves and our present cares. Fortified by hope, we are moved to demonstrate the pure love of Christ through daily acts of obedience and Christian service." (M. Russell Ballard, The Joy of Hope Fulfilled, Ensign, November 1992)


Robert D. Hales said: "There is one gift I would like to focus on—the gift of charity. Use charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), and give service for the right reasons. Charity is the ability to make life more meaningful for others....

"There are times when we need to be lifted. There are times when we need to be strengthened. Be that kind of friend and that kind of person who lifts and strengthens others. Never make someone have to choose between your ways and the Lord's ways. And always make sure that you're making it easier to live God's commandments for those who are by your side and who are your friends. Then you will understand whether you have charity." (Robert D. Hales, Gifts of the Spirit, Ensign, February 2002)



President Henry B. Eyring said: "Charity, the pure love of Christ, is part of the mighty change of heart which the Lord promises to His faithful disciples."


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:

“When something is over and done with, when it

has been repented of as fully as it can be repented

of, when life has moved on as it should and a lot of

other wonderfully good things have happened since

then, it is not right to go back and open some

ancient wound that the Son of God Himself died to

heal. Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe

that people can change and improve. Is that faith?

Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is that charity? Yes! Above

all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something

is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don’t keep

going back with your little sand pail and beach

shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw

it at someone, saying, “Hey! Do you remember

this?” Splat!” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, The Best is Yet to Be, Liahona, January 2010)


Elder D. Todd Christofferson said:

“It is by the Holy Ghost in you that others may feel

the pure love of Christ and receive strength to press

forward.”(Elder D. Todd Christofferson, The Power of Covenants, Ensign, May 2009)


Elder Russell M. Nelson said:  

“Faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. Hope centers in the

Atonement. Charity is manifest in the ‘pure love of

Christ.’ These three attributes are intertwined like

strands in a cable and may not always be precisely

distinguished. Together they become our tether to

the celestial kingdom” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, A More Excellent Hope, Ensign February 1997)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: “If you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead

you on a course that will allow you to experience

the pure love of Christ.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Love of God, Ensign, November 2009)



President Thomas S. Monson said:

“I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to

be the opposite of criticism and judging... 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… 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… 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.” (Thomas S. Monson, Charity Never Faileth, Ensign November 2010)