“Charity is the Pure Love of Christ”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
This statement has two possible (and certainly related) meanings: (1) one who has charity loves others purely, just as Christ does; and (2) one who has charity loves Christ purely. Pure love comes from a pure source, from God. It is not and cannot be generated by man; it comes from heaven. It is in Christ who is symbolized by the tree of life toward which all men and women press who seek eternal life (see Commentary 1:76-77); it is the love of God which “sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men” (1 Nephi 11:22). Indeed, as Moroni explained, the love which Christ has had for the children of men is charity (see Ether 12:34).

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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