Faith, Hope,Charity

This week I have been studying the concept of Faith, Hope, and Charity and how we can apply these things in our daily lives. First I want to start out with the defination of all three:

Faith: To have a confidence in something or someone, To hope for things which are not seen but which are true, is centered in Christ, and developed by obdience and righteousness.

Moroni 7 Vs. 26

.... Whatsoever thing, ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith, beieving that ye shall recieve, behold it shall be done unto you.

Hope: A strong belief, hope is a feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn our for the best, is given through the Atonement of Christ, Faith and Hope walk hand in hand can not have one without the other, is developed through pure humality

Moroni Chapter 7 Vs.

...Hope through theatonement of christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of yor faith in him according to the promise.

Charity: The pure love of Christ -

see Moroni Chapter 7 Versue 45

...And Charity suffereth long, 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 beartheth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

How then do we allow these three principles to take hold in our lives? It is something that I have clearly struggled with. I always thought it was just the charity part that I struggled with but after studying it out I have come to the conclusion it is all three. Because, you can not have charity without faith and hope, through which the pure love of Christ is developed. Hope is sprung from faith and the by-product is charity. In the book No One Can Take Your Place Sherry Dew dedicates a whole chapter to these concepts. Using the life of Majorie Pay Hinckley to exemplifiy them so clearly.


It feels like this is a really hard thing to do sometimes and has been hard for me to do as of late. I have been so focused these last couple of years of my hardships, and on my dissappointments, and feelings of failure that I have put all my focus inward instead of outward. My attuide and relationships have suffered greatly because of this. In place of optimism I have turned to a pestumess. My feelings of gratitude have turned to feelings of why me, I have forgotten.

There is a story in his book where Majorie's grandchildren descripe talking to their grandmother. "....I never talk with Grandma that I don't feel a surge of energy. If she thinks I can do something, then I can." I want my family and friends to feel that eveytime they talk to me.

Sherry Dew describled how one is when they let the pure love of Christ or charity rule in their lives. " It was the pure love of Christ that allowed her to stop worrying about how the world saw and treated her, and left her free to focus her attention on others. It was the pure love of Christ that allowed her to rejoice in the accomplishments of others without feeling jealous or intimidated; to focus intently on others rather than worry how she was being viewed. It was the pure love of Christ that, over time, made her oblivious the the enticements of the world. It was because she was filled with the pure love of Christ that she never failed to have the impact on others she had. And the results were stunning."

I need to remember not to grieve over my dissapointments but to rejoice in the new learning experiences, people, and adventures they bring into my life. The Lord knows me, has a plan for me, and everything that happens in my life is part of that plan and will help me reach my final destination. As Majorie put it..." Don't grieve over the cherries. Enjoy the pineapple and mangoes."

Never focus on what you don't have or you might miss some important stuff. Remember that those around you exspecially that person you have choicen to spend eternatity with are not perfect. She put it this way, .." I try to remember that he isn't perfect, just almost perfect. I am grateful to share his life with him. " I have struggled with that through the past years. I want to look back on my marraige and remember the good times, the good things, the reasons I love him, find joy in our journey hand in hand.

Have hope that Christ's hand is guiding you life . Have faith that he knows you, your desires, and hears your prayers. And then turn your thoughts always outward instead of inward.

President Hinckely once said, ... " All of us are largely the product of the lives that touch ours."

And above all remember that happiness is a choice.

" Living the gospel is the only way to be happy and that being happy is a choice."