Seek Ye Earnestly

More Kid Wisdom… My three year old son was picking on his older sister and hit her. I reminded him that hitting was not allowed and then asked the question, "What would Jesus do?" He looked up at me and then crying said, "He would put me in time-out!" Many weeks during sacrament meeting, my brother and sister who were about 2 at the time, would be very squirmy and giggly and irreverant. Other weeks they would do great! My parents tried everything they could think of: toys, treats, etc, but they always wanted to look toward the back of the chapel and laugh. Several months later in a meeting with the bishop the mystery was solved, he said, "It sure is hard to keep a straight face on the stand when we see Brother French pull out his teeth and start "chomping" at your kids." From then on, we always sat behind Brother French and they behaved much better.

Mosiah Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers. And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened. unbelief Understand hardened

Elder McConkie "If the saints are to be saved, they must accept, understand, and experience the gifts of the Spirit. Since religion itself is of the Spirit, and deals with spiritual things, it can be received and known only by the power of the Spirit. Thus where the gifts of the Spirit are manifest, there is true religion; and where the gifts of the Spirit are not manifest, there true religion is not." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:366)

Paul to the Saints in Corinth To understand why he wrote the letter, we need to read “between the lines”. Dealing with: Conflict between the members Conflict with their Greek neighbors Lack of understanding about the Spirit Chapter 12- Outlines the Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and ________________, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and __________________, it profiteth me nothing. have not charity

Then this description Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth;

Defining Charity Turning now to the New Testament we find that charity is translated from the Greek word xaris (charis). Before we look at the definition of this Greek word it is significant to note that the English words “charity” and “grace” both derive from the Greek word xaris. It means to have favor, good will, love, mercy and compassion upon another. Interestingly, this word is often used to describe the loving mercy and compassion given to those who do not deserve such acts. In this respect, the ultimate example of xaris- charity-grace is God, for none of us on our own efforts could ever be deserving of his boundless loving kindness. (Meridian Magazine, Lesson 34) God Loyal Us Loyal Others Love “Xaris”

President Harold B. Lee Just before the dedication of the Los Angeles Temple, something new happened in my life when, along about three or four o'clock in the morning, I enjoyed an experience that I think was not a dream, but it must have been a vision. It seemed that I was witnessing a great spiritual gathering, where men and women were standing up, two or three at a time, and speaking in tongues. The spirit was so unusual. I seemed to hear the voice of President David O. McKay say, 'If you want to love God, you have to learn to love and serve the people. That is the way to show your love for God.' (April Conference, 1973)

Paul concludes with: For we know in part, and we prophesy part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. face to face; now I know in part; but one day I will know me as God knows me.

Sister from Pecos, Peru Dear Bro. Hinckley I spoke with you yesterday. I am the woman from Pecos Peru. I ran for my life for two days. The small voice [of the spirit] has always been with me through out my life. I prayed through out the first night as there was over 10 more earthquakes I had been asking the Lord why I was not hearing him for those two days. After I spoke to you, I went to my next class. The spirit said these words to me: I was there, hearing your prayer You were doing the all the right thing. You did get out within a day If you were going the wrong way, I would have told you. But I was there, and you made it out. I protected you. After I heard these words, my anxiety (the racing of my chest, which I have felt since last Thursday), stop and went away. Thank you for telling me the spirit will come. The Lord has more for me and I will do his work.