Music with a Message CHARITY_ THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST

							Episode 3


                      Music with a Message
            CHARITY, THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST


NARRATOR:       Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the love that Christ has
                for the children of men and that the children of men should
                have for one another. It is the highest, noblest and strongest
                kind of love and the most joyous to the soul. The prophet
                Mormon taught, charity suffereth long and is kind and envieth
                not and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily
                proved, thinketh no evil and rejoiceth not in iniquity but
                rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things,
                hopeth all things, endureth all things. The Charity Never
                Faileth Choir sings "The Pure Love of Christ" from the album
                "Charity Never Faileth".
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “The Pure Love of Christ” sung by The Charity Never Faileth
                Choir
[END MUSIC]


NARRATOR:       Jesus Christ is the perfect example of charity. In his mortal
                ministry, he always went about doing good. Teaching the
                gospel and showing tender compassion for the poor, afflicted
                and distressed. His crowning expression of charity was his
                infinite atonement. He said, "Greater love hath no man than
                this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This was the
                greatest act of long-suffering, kindness and selflessness that we
                will ever know. The Charity Never Faileth Choir sings, "He
                Gave His Life for Me" from the album Charity Never Faileth.
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “He Gave His Life for Me” sung by The Charity Never Faileth
                Choir
[END MUSIC]
NARRATOR:       Charity is perhaps in many ways a misunderstood word. We
                often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles
                to those in need, or sharing our excess with those that are less
                fortunate. But really true charity is much, much more. 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. One Clear Voice sings, "I'm trying to be like
                Jesus", from their self-titled album.
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” sung by One Clear Voice
                I'm trying to be like Jesus. I'm following in his ways.
                I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
                At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
                But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
                 Love one another as Jesus loves you.
                Try to show kindness in all that you do.
                Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
                For these are the things Jesus taught. Jesus taught.

                I'm trying to love my neighbor. I'm learning to serve my friends.
                I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
                I try to remember the lessons he taught.
                Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
                Love one another as Jesus loves you.
                Try to show kindness in all that you do.
                Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
                For these are the things Jesus taught. Jesus taught.
                These are the things Jesus taught.

                Love one another as Jesus loves you.
                Try to show kindness in all that you do.
                Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
                For these are the things Jesus taught. Jesus taught.
                These are the things Jesus taught.
[END MUSIC]


NARRATOR:       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. Charity is
                accepting someone' 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 someone’s weakness and being willing to
                forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best
                of each other. The Savior wants all people to receive his love
                and to share it with others. He declared to his disciples, “A
                new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as
                I have loved you that ye also love one another. By this shall all
                men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
                another.” The Utah Chamber artists sing "Love One
                Another" from "We'll Sing and We'll Shout" Volume 2.
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “Love One Another” sung by The Utah Chamber Artists
[END MUSIC]


NARRATOR:        In relationships with family members and others, followers of
                Christ look to the Savior as their example and strived to love as
                He loves with unfailing compassion, patience and mercy. The
                best and most clear indicator that we are progressing
                spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other
                people. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at
                Temple Square perform "Love at Home" from the album,
                "Come Come Ye Saints".
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “Love at Home” performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and
                the Orchestra at Temple Square
                There is beauty all around, When there's love at home;
                There is joy in every sound, When there's love at home.

                In the cottage there is joy, When there's love at home;
                Hate and envy ne'er annoy, When there's love at home.
                Roses bloom beneath our feet. All the earth's a garden sweet,
                Making life a bliss complete, When there's love at home.
                Love at home, love at home;
                All the earth's a garden sweet, When there's love at home.

                Kindly heaven smiles above, When there's love at home;
                All the world is ne’er annoy, When there's love at home.
                Sweeter sings the brooklet by; Brighter beams the azure sky.
                Oh, there's One who smiles on high, When there's love at home.

                There is beauty all around, When there's love at home;
                There is joy in every sound, When there's love at home.
                Peace and plenty here abide, Smiling sweet on every side.
                Time doth softly, sweetly glide, When there's love at home.
                Love at home. Love at home.
                Time doth softly, sweetly glide when there's love at home.
[END MUSIC]


NARRATOR:       Imagine what could happen in today's world or, in our wards
                or our families, our priesthood quorums and auxiliaries if each
                of us would vow to cherish, watch over and comfort one
                another, imagine the possibilities, be one who nurtures and
                who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving
                heart. Who looks for the best in people. Leave people better
                than you found them. Be fair with your competitors whether
                in business, athletics or elsewhere. Don't get drawn into some
                of the parlance of our day and try to win by undermining
                someone’s character, try to lend a hand to those who are
                frightened, lonely or burdened. If we could look into each
                other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us
                faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently,
                with more love, patience, tolerance and care. Tammy Simister
                Robinson and the Charity Never Faileth Choir sings, "Hands
                of Heaven" from the album Charity Never Faileth.
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “Hands of Heaven” sung by Tammy Simister Robinson and The
                Charity Never Faileth Choir
[END MUSIC]


NARRATOR        Sister Bonnie D. Parkin says, “I've learned that the best way to
                reclaim charity is to unencumbered myself and simply love and
                serve the Lord. How do we do that? We start each day
                kneeling in prayer to our Father in heaven. We hear his words
                through daily scripture study and we follow the guidance we
                receive. We put Christ first. Restoring charities circular love,
                we love him because he first loved us. This is the reciprocating
                cycle of charity. Charity never faileth.” Brigham Young said,
                “There is one virtue; attribute or principle, which if cherished
                and practiced by the Saints would prove salvation to thousand
                upon thousands. I allude to charity, or love from which
                proceed forgiveness, long suffering, kindness, and patience.”
                The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square
                perform "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief", from their album
                Praise to the Man.
[BEGIN MUSIC]
                “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” performed by the Mormon
                Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square
                A poor wayfaring Man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way,
                Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay.
                I hath not power to ask his name, Whereto he went or whence he
                came;
                Yet, there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not
                why.


                Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered not a word he
                spake,
                Just perishing for want of bread. I gave him all; he blessed it,
                brake,
                And ate, but gave me part again. Mine was an angel’s portion
                then,
                For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste.


                In pris'n I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor's doom at
                morn.
                The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him 'mid shame
                and scorn.
                My friendship's utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die.
                The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, "I
                will!"


                Then in a moment to my view the stranger started from disguise.
                The tokens in his hands I knew; The Savior stood before mine
                eyes.
                He spake, and my poor name he named, Of me thou hast not been
                ashamed.
                These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto
                me.
                These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto
                me.
[END MUSIC]

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