Faith, Hope and Charity

Reading: Ether 12-13

This is one of my favorite chapters in The Book of Mormon, because I learn about the importance of faith, hope and charity.  The gifts and characteristics are more than just the word, they are action and a way of being and Moroni helps us understand why.  I had an intense (or what seemed intense to me at the time anyway) period of study about charity. It was one of those times I can say that I truly hungered to know what charity was and the subject consumed my personal study.  I learned so much then, but every time I read Ether 12 and Moroni 7, I learn even more! I love it!

During this study, I learned that there are more than one meaning to these gifts and other gifts talked about within the chapter.

In chapters 7-11 we read about the downfall of a great nation because of wickedness.  Because of this, Ether was called to preach repentance and give a voice of warning. Moroni used Ether's teaching as a platform to educate us about three principle doctrines of the gospel.

Ether 12:3-5

He prophesies things which they did not believe BECAUSE THEY SAW THEM NOT.

Ether then beings a discussion of the first principle of the gospel: faith, that you don't have to see to believe.

Ether 12:6-9

When you think of trial of faith, what do you think of?

Elder Scott says it's not just a difficult time of life or hard circumstances, but whether or not you act on a prompting or not.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that sometimes “the trial of [our] faith” is simply a matter of exercising our faith: “You can learn to use faith more effectively by applying this principle taught by Moroni: ‘Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith’ [Ether 12:6; italics added]. Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2003, 79; or Ensign, May 2003, 76).

I have a tendency to think of trials of faith as the really big, life-changing trials, but Elder Scott says they are the everyday impressions we get, that unless we follow, we would have no witness of its importance.  Perhaps the every day tests of faith, impressions and such, are the foundation and even dictation of how well we do in our more difficult trials of faith.

Moroni lists a number of examples from the scriptures of people who received a witness of Christ after a trial of faith. And then he expresses a trial of his own faith by trying to understand why the Lord would have them write these things in weakness.

Ether 12:22-25

As I read this I realized that the trial concerning writing is intended for different groups of people:

For Moroni: he knows there are more perfect words that convey stronger sand more whole messages, but they are commanded to use the plates and a lesser language.  He must have wondered why?

For us: there are many things we understand about The Book of Mormon, but it only comes with frequent reading and study. Moroni tells us that if we had the record in Hebrew, it would be perfect, but that wouldn't be a test of our faith would it?

But Moroni worries that this weakness will make the record too vulnerable and prompt mockery.  The Lord tells him that this too has a purpose:

Ether 12:26-28

I love the statement, "fools mock, but they shall mourn; my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness."  The bible dictionary defines grace as "the enabling power that allows men to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts."  So, after the meek have expended efforts to understand the doctrines of Christ, His grace will help them know what they do not understand, so that they will not take advantage of Moroni's weakness in writing.  That is, the weak, or those who are willing and ready to learn, will not take advantage of Moroni's (and other Book of Mormon prophets) weakness in writing.

Also, here is a great definition of "meekness" by Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric 

“Meekness is vital to becoming more Christlike. Without it one cannot develop other important virtues. Mormon indicated, ‘None is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart’ (Moroni 7:44). Acquiring meekness is a process. We are asked to ‘take up [the] cross daily’ (Luke 9:23). Our lifting should not be an occasional exercise. More meekness does not translate to weakness, but ‘it is
the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness. It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control’ (Neal A. Maxwell, “Meekly Drenched in Destiny,” in Brigham Young University 1982–83 Fireside and Devotional Speeches [1983], 2). More meekness will allow us to be tutored by the Spirit” (in Conference Report Oct. 2004, 104–5; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 99). 

What weakness is the Lord talking about in verse 27?

Up until this point in my life, I always took this scripture very personally and assumed that my personal, individual weaknesses were the subject. I have learned that it can be about that, but also about the general weakness of man that comes with being in a fallen state. It was pointed out to me that in fact the Lord refers to weakness in this verse, as singular and not plural.  This helps make more sense of the meaning of this verse and the verse following it.  It never really made sense to me that the Lord would give us weaknesses, they just come inherently or by choice. Elder Maxwell states this well:

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of how the Lord can help us overcome our weaknesses. “When we read in the scriptures of man’s ‘weakness,’ this term includes the generic but necessary weakness inherent in the general human condition in which the flesh has such an incessant impact upon the spirit (see Ether 12:28–29). Weakness likewise includes, however, our specific, individual weaknesses, which we are expected to overcome (see D&C 66:3; Jacob 4:7). Life has a way of exposing these weaknesses” (Lord, Increase Our Faith [1994], 84).

Then, in vs 28, he tells us how to overcome our weakness (our fallen nature/human condition): by obtaining faith, hope and charity.

In the next set of scriptures Moroni restates the doctrines the Lord mentions:

Faith - Ether 12:29-31

Hope - Ether 12:32

Elder Holland helps us understand the connection and meaning of these crucial doctrines by quoting Moroni 7:42 in his book

“If a man have faith [in Christ and his atonement] he must needs [as a consequence] have hope [in the promise of the Resurrection, because the two are inextricable linked]; for without faith [in Christ’s atonement] there cannot be any hope [in the Resurrection.].” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 334–35).

Then those two lead to a desire for charity - Ether 12:33-35

This was a very great discovery for me, as have tried to delineate the definitions of each word. However I also discovered that these doctrines are usually not distinct from one another, but play a supportive role. As Elder Maxwell explains:

 “Unsurprisingly the triad of faith, hope, and charity, which brings us to Christ, has strong and converging linkage: faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, hope is in His atonement, and charity is the ‘pure love of Christ’ (see Ether 12:28; Moroni 7:47). Each of these attributes qualifies us for the celestial kingdom (see Moroni 10:20–21; Ether 12:34). Each, first of all, requires us to be meek and lowly (see Moroni 7:39, 43).  Faith and hope are constantly interactive and may not always be precisely distinguished or sequenced. Though not perfect knowledge either, hope’s enlivened expectations are ‘with surety’ true (Ether 12:4; see also Romans 8:24; Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21). In the geometry of restored theology, hope has a greater circumference than faith. If faith increases, the perimeter of hope stretches correspondingly” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 45; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 35).

Elder Jeffry R. Holland defines and explains charity and how it applies doubly in our lives (it's a long quote, but a really, really, really good one):

“The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ,’ however, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.’ It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up . . . , not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.’ It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth.’ It is that charity—his pure love for us—without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day—the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise—surely it shall be well with them.
 “This does not in any way minimize the commandment that we are to try to acquire this kind of love for one another. . . . We should try to be more constant and unfailing, more longsuffering and kind, less envious and puffed up in our relationships with others. As Christ lived so should we live, and as Christ loved so should we love. But the ‘pure love of Christ’ Mormon spoke of is precisely that—Christ’s love. With that divine gift, that redeeming bestowal, we have everything; without it we have nothing and ultimately are nothing, except in the end ‘devils [and] angels to a devil.’ [2 Nephi 9:9.]
“Life has its share of fears and failures. Sometimes things fall short. Sometimes people fail us, or economies or businesses or governments fail us. But one thing in time or eternity does not fail us—the pure love of Christ. . . .
 “Thus, the miracle of Christ’s charity both saves and changes us. His atoning love saves us from death and hell as well as from carnal, sensual, and devilish behavior. That redeeming love also transforms the soul, lifting it above fallen standards to something far more noble, far more holy. Wherefore, we must ‘cleave unto charity’—Christ’s pure love of us and our determined effort toward pure love of him and all others—for without it we are nothing, and our plan for eternal happiness is utterly wasted. Without the redeeming love of Christ in our lives, all other qualities—even virtuous qualities and exemplary good works—fall short of salvation and joy” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 336–37). 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton give a great definition of the charity we should have:

“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of [putting others down] repulsive.
“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or
remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 24; or Ensign, May 1992, 18–19).

Moroni then puts these three doctrines into action by praying for the Gentiles to have charity. But then the lord gives a curious response:

Ether 12:36-38

Why wouldn't it matter to Moroni if the Gentiles have charity or not?

Because where Moroni's salvation is concerned, he is demonstrating what he needs to be in order for exaltation.  That where salvation is concerned, every man needs to work out their own salvation, and if other people do not have charity for weakness of men who are trying to be obedient to the Lord's command, they will be accountable for that. Moroni, in a display of charity, prays for the Gentiles to have grace (the enabling power to salvation) so that even though they might mock, they would find the way to salvation.

Ether 12:36-38 happens to be the scripture that Hyrum Smith read right before making the journey to Carthage Jail, at which they would be assassinated. 

Faith, hope and charity are spiritual gifts.  To some, they are given without asking, but for most, Moroni gives us this counsel (Moroni 7:46):

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;

There is a hymn (#169) called "As Now We Take the Sacrament" which has this line: "We contemplate thy lasting grace, thy boundless charity." The Savior's charity is not bound.  He loves knowing everything about us, not judging us for what we are or are not now.  We on the other hand, perhaps have bounded charity.  That is, we try to have charity for even hard-to-love people, but doing so is difficult for us because we go by only what we have experienced and witnessed. We do not often think of or know the capacity, capabilities and potential of who we are trying to love.  That is why we should pray for it.  Because Jesus knows and will help us understand and help us love.  Even, and especially, hard-to-love people (including ourselves).