“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. (2 Ne. 26:30; Moro. 7:47; 8:25–26.)”
(McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 121.)
Mormon defined charity as “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). What does this mean? Love that is pure and selfless thinks of others, acts with kindness, does not insist on victory, rejoices in truth, and is long-suffering and patient. For whoever has charity at the Judgment Day, “it shall be well with him” (v. 47).
Charity is a gift of God, and one must “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (v. 48). A person seeks this gift in prayer, but the gift actually comes as a bestowal by the Father “upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (v. 48). As a person keeps the commandments and learns to follow Jesus’ loving example of obedience, he is blessed with the gift of charity.