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Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

The Pure Love of Christ

"Lesson 38: The Pure Love of Christ," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 155

OBJECTIVE

Each young man will desire to possess the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ, and apply it in his daily life.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Writing activity

Divide the quorum in half. Have the first group count off using numbers and the second count off using letters. Pair off the two groups as follows: 1 with a, 2 with b, 3 with c, and so on. Give each young man a pencil and a piece of paper, and have him write down at least one thing he admires and respects about his partner. Have the young men share their responses with the quorum.

Point out that looking for the good and admirable qualities in other people will help us learn to love as Christ does.

Charity Is Christlike Love

Scriptures and discussion

Ask a young man to read aloud Matthew 22:35-39 while the other young men follow along in their own scriptures.

Point out that these two commandments both tell us to love. Love is the central theme of the gospel.

Have the young men read and mark 1 John 4:20-21.

Discussion

Explain that love can be many things to many people, but it may be classified into three basic types.

The first type is expressed in the terms "I will love you if ..." People give this kind of love if others meet certain requirements. It is conditional and always has strings attached.

The second type of love uses the word because and emphasizes selfish or worldly aspects. It, too, is conditional love. People love others only because of their attractive qualities or characteristics.

Explain that the third type of love is unselfish and unconditional. We do not have to earn or deserve this kind of love by acting a certain way or having certain qualities. This kind of love can use the phrase "even though."

Point out that this is the kind of love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give each of us. They love and accept us no matter what we do or who we are. This kind of love is called charity.

Scripture and chalkboard discussion

To help the young men understand what it means to have charity, have them read 1 Corinthians 13. Suggest that they mark the attributes of a charitable person.

After they have read and marked the scriptures, have the young men tell you the attributes they have marked. As they state the biblical term, discuss the term and help the young men give a modern synonym for it. Write the terms and their synonyms on the chalkboard. Possible terms and synonyms include-

We Should Love One Another As Christ Loves Us

Picture, scripture, and discussion

Show picture 3, Jesus the Christ. Explain that Moroni referred to charity as "the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47). Christ exhibited all of these attributes, and he loved us unconditionally. Emphasize that in order to come unto Christ, we must learn to love as he loves.

Have the young men read and mark John 13:34-35.

Ask the young men to describe incidents they remember from the scriptures that illustrate how Christ showed the qualities of a charitable person.

After the young men have responded, point out that the incidents described are just a few examples of how Christ demonstrated charity. Everything he did showed his love for people. To be like him, we must also develop and show love for others.

Quotation

Explain that true charity is a gift of the Spirit. It is not something we can gain only by our own efforts. Help the young men understand that charity is a spiritual gift we should all seek to develop.

Have a young man read the following statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, far more; it is everlasting love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], p. 121).

Scripture and discussion

Have the young men read Moroni 7:47-48.

We Can Show Charity through Service

Story and picture

Explain that we can show love for others by serving them. Show picture 14, Three Young Men Rescue the Martin Handcart Company, and tell the following story about three young men who showed true charity:

When the early Mormon pioneers came west to Salt Lake City, many of them traveled in handcart companies. Not having enough money to afford wagons, they pulled by hand what little they could of their worldly possessions in two-wheeled carts. One such company was the Martin Company.

The Martin Company became stranded in the middle of a Wyoming blizzard. The people faced certain death in the subzero temperature from exposure and lack of food. Brigham Young sent a relief party to rescue them. On the way back, the Martin Company and its relief party reached a river filled with floating ice.

"To cross would require more courage and fortitude, it seemed, than human nature could muster. Women shrank back and men wept. Some pushed through, but others were unequal to the ordeal.

"Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue, and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of that ill-fated handcart company across the snow-bound stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly, 'That act alone will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end' " (LeRoy R. and Ann W. Hafen, Handcarts to Zion [Glendale, Cal.: Arthur H. Clark Co., 1960], pp. 132-33).

Discussion

Point out that acts of service do not need to be extraordinary or heroic to demonstrate true charity.

Conclusion

Activity and challenge

Pass out the copies of the charity profile, and have each young man evaluate himself in the areas listed. Challenge each young man to pick an area to pray about and to concentrate on throughout the week.

Have the young men read Moroni 7:48 again and discuss how the scripture applies to this challenge.

Testimony

Explain that charity, the pure love of Christ, is the highest principle of the gospel. Becoming charitable will enable us to become as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. Testify of Heavenly Father's and Jesus' love for each of us.

Optional activities and challenges

You may wish to challenge the young men to choose one of the following activities:

Charity Profile

Never Sometimes Most of the Time Always

Home (where charity begins)

Friends and Fellowmen

Teachers

God

Pray for Charity (Moroni 7:48)

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Next Chapter: Lesson 39: Feasting on the Words of Christ »

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