A New Year, A New Manual

Just in case you have missed it, or you want to be ready for Relief Society on Sunday, I wanted to remind you that we are done with the Gospel Principles manual after two years of studying it, and we are returning to the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church Manuals, this year's President being George Albert Smith.  LEsson number one is: Living What We Believe.  BUT, there is some great information about this great leader if you want to take the time to read and better know and understand the man behind the book. 

Also, as a presidency, we are focusing on the Relief Society theme, "Charity Never Faileth" for our Presidency Messages each month.  I taught "Charity Never Faileth and Procedes Forgiveness and other virtues"  for January.  If you missed it, here are a few great quotes and thoughts I found along the way.  I think that I probably needed this more than anyone, but it has really made me think a lot more lately about my thoughts and actions and how much charity or sometimes how little charity I mmy have in my life.  Hopefully we can all work a little harder this year to gain a little more charity in our lives.

“There is one virtue … which, if cherished and practiced by the Saints, would prove salvation to thousands upon thousands. I allude to charity, or love, from which proceed forgiveness, long suffering, kindness, and patience” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young.)

President Ezra Taft Benson taught us “The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought for by many, but the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others.”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who 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. …


“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. … 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” (“The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” Ensign, May 1992, 18–19).