Question
Gramps,
During this life, can someone obtain the pure love of Christ?
Kalena
Answer
Dear Kalena,
The phrase “pure love of Christ” is used only by Moroni:
Moroni 7:47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 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; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
And Moroni’s teaching is clear – yes, we can have this love, if we are true followers of Christ, and if we pray for it “with all the energy of heart”. Note however, that it’s not something we “obtain” as if through effort of our own, but it is something “bestowed” by God. Our prayer and discipleship enable us to receive the gift, but it’s still a gift.
As a second witness, Paul also taught that we should seek to have charity (1 Corinthians 14:1). And as a third, the Lord himself stated:
D&C 4:5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
If it were not possible for us to have charity in this life, then the Lord would not have made it a condition for the work. Other teachings and examples of charity can be found by following the links in the Topical Guide entry for Charity.
Praying with all the energy of one’s heart is no easy thing. Nevertheless, the Lord teaches us through his prophets and by his own voice that it’s possible. As we study and try to develop the attributes of charity (described by Moroni and Paul), with sincere hearts, and seek this gift of God, it will eventually come. I encourage all of us to continually and diligently pursue this gift of God.
Gramps
