Charity
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Charity Envieth Not
I tend to commingle scripture and Shakespeare, both of which live rent free in my head. While giving attention this month to the scriptural statement that charity envieth not (Moroni 7:45), Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 came to mind. Sonnet 29 When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply…
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Charity is Kind
It’s a bad sign when you ask someone about how their date went and they respond with, “It was … nice.” That’s not-so-subtle code for “it was boring as all get out and I’m hoping they lose my number.” It’s also how I described to my college roommate the first kiss I experienced with the guy I was dating at the time. She responded that he clearly wasn’t going to be the guy for me. It seems like “kind” is relegated to the same fate as “nice.” It’s not flashy or eye-catching. But I think we overlook the incredible value of these unassuming virtues. Consider this statement by Elder Joseph…
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Charity Suffereth Long
Long suffering (adj.) Having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. – Google definition I’m starting to feel that long suffering is a hugely underappreciated characteristic in the people around us. I’m just gonna go ahead and suggest that if you are blessed with a long suffering spouse, or long suffering children, parents, siblings, and/or friends, you might consider thanking them for bearing with you. I’m not saying you’re a total pain. But you are, sometimes, a pain. We all are. We’re human. We put dents in car doors. We make messes that we don’t always clean up. We say uncalled for and painful…
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She Must Needs Have Charity
The new year impulse to improve sat patiently in a corner of my heart through the holidays, biding its time until the bright merriment and bustle subsided and quiet rose in its place. It tiptoed close a few days ago as I began listening to President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2023 “Peacemakers Needed.” When he shared that “charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ” and described how an individual with the gift of charity behaves, it took me by the hand and asserted: “This. Seek this.” And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own,…