Mormon Musings

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.” President Thomas S. Monson “What Have I Done for Someone Today?”  Ensign,  Nov. 2009, 86

"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.  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,’ is no 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.  Thus, as Moroni declared, ‘except men shall  have  charity they cannot inherit’ the place prepared for them in the mansions of the Father." Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 2000 General Conference - Ensign , Nov. 2000, 32-34

There is one virtue, attribute, or principle, which, if cherished and practiced by the Saints, would prove salvation to thousands upon thousands. I allude to charity, or love, from which proceed forgiveness, long-suffering, kindness, and patience. But the short-sightedness and weakness in some are marvelous. To make this a little plainer, I will ask, Do any of your neighbors do anything wrong? They do. People come here from different parts of the earth to make this their adopted country, and the old residents expect them to at once conform to and adopt their manners, customs, and traditions, or they think the new comers are not worthy of their fellowship. In other words, “If every man, woman, and child does not act, think, and see as I do, they are sinners.” It is very necessary that we have charity that will cover a multitude of what we may suppose to be sins. It is written in the Scriptures, “For charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” In its wording thi...

Mother Teresa said: It is never too small. We are so small we look at things in a small way. But God, being Almighty, sees everything great. Therefore, even if you write a letter for a blind man or you just go and sit and listen, or you take the mail for him, or you visit somebody or bring a flower to somebody–small things–or wash clothes for somebody or clean the house. Very humble work that is where you and I must be. For there are many people who can do big things. But there are very few people who will do the small things. Mother Teresa of Calcutta,  Life in the Spirit: Reflections, Meditations, Prayers,  ed. Kathryn Spink   (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1983), 49

If you are ever called upon to chasten a person, never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 9:125-25 "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;" D&C 121:43