As I read in Genesis 18 ( Abraham entertains three holy men, and the Lord informs him that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed) I was reminded of the type and shadow that all the prophets are of Jesus Christ. Abraham's reaction to this revelation reminds us exactly what we should feel about the wickedness that we are surrounded by - Charity, faith and desire to help save -
Abraham asked the Lord if he could find righteous people among the wicked, could he spare the destruction? Abraham's only concern was how he could help save people, there was no justice or retribution in mind. Surely the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah must have bothered Abraham, but his faith in others, charity and compassion was stronger as he desired to help them.
Today we live in a world very similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. It is very easy to assume that certain people would not be interested in making righteous choices or accepting the gospel, but I have been strengthened in my desires to follow Jesus christ's example as I read about Abraham's compassion and charity towards even the most wicked individuals. Abraham desired to help and save them from destruction rather than label them or assume they can not change.
I hope I can ponder these quotes more and that I will be a better sister to all of my brothers and sisters as I seek to help them find salvation and exaltation.
"Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life."
- Thomas S. Monson , charity Never Faileth
"I know of no more important ability and no greater integrity for us to demonstrate than to walk that careful path—taking a moral stand according to what God has declared and the laws He has given but doing it compassionately, with understanding and great charity. Talk about a hard thing to do—distinguishing perfectly between the sin and the sinner! I know of few distinctions that are harder to make and even harder sometimes to explain, but we must lovingly try to do exactly that."
- Jeffrey R. Holland , Conviction and Compassion
"May we ever watch over one another, assisting in times of need. Let us not be critical and judgmental, but let us be tolerant, ever emulating the Savior’s example of loving-kindness. In that vein, may we willingly serve one another. May we pray for the inspiration to know of the needs of those around us, and then may we go forward and provide assistance."
~ Thomas S. Monson, Love, Joy, and Inspiration, November 2012
"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.
None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we're trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?” - Marvin J. Ashton
None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we're trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?” - Marvin J. Ashton
"The pavilion that seems to be hiding you from God may be fear of man rather than this desire to serve others. The Savior’s only motivation was to help people… I challenge you to go for the Lord to someone, despite any fear you may have, to extend love and forgiveness. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the love of the Savior for that person and His love for you, and it will not seem to come from a great distance."
~Henry B. Eyring, Where is the Pavilion? Conference October 2012
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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