“Lesson 27 Class Preparation Material: Faith, Hope, and Charity,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material (2021)
“Lesson 27 Class Preparation Material,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material
Lesson 27 Class Preparation Material
Faith, Hope, and Charity
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught, “Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. … The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works [see Alma 7:24]” (“The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 23, 24; see Moroni 10:20). As you study this material, consider what you can do to more fully incorporate these divine attributes into your life.
Section 1
How is my hope influenced by my faith in Jesus Christ?
After the destruction of the Nephite civilization, Moroni was left alone to complete the Book of Mormon. He also added some teachings from his father, Mormon, which included a sermon on the virtues of faith, hope, and charity (see Moroni 7:1).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Moroni 7:33, 38, 40–43, and look for what Mormon taught about the relationship between faith and hope.
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the connection between faith and hope:
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—real faith, whole-souled and unshakable—is a power to be reckoned with in the universe. It can be a causative force through which miracles are wrought. Or it can be a source of inner strength, through which we find peace, comfort, and the courage to cope.
As we put our faith and trust to work, hope is born. Hope grows out of faith and gives meaning and purpose to all that we do. It can even give us the peaceful assurance we need to live happily in a world that is ripe with iniquity, calamity, and injustice. (“The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 32)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
What blessings have or could come into your life as you have centered your faith and hope in Jesus Christ?
Section 2
How can I increase my capacity to experience hope?
When Moroni abridged the Jaredite record, he included the prophet Ether’s teachings about faith. He then recounted many miracles that occurred through faith in Jesus Christ. (See Ether 12:3–22.) Moroni explained that “faith is things which are hoped for and not seen” (verse 6).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Ether 12:4, 32, and consider what you can look forward to as you exercise faith in God.
President Uchtdorf said the following about the infinite power of hope:
Hope is a gift of the Spirit [see Moroni 8:26]. It is a hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection, we shall be raised unto life eternal and this because of our faith in the Savior [see Moroni 7:41]. This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment [see Colossians 1:21–23], and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope. Hope in our Heavenly Father’s merciful plan of happiness leads to peace [see Romans 15:13], mercy [see Psalm 33:22], rejoicing [see Romans 12:12], and gladness [see Proverbs 10:28]. The hope of salvation is like a protective helmet [see 1 Thessalonians 5:8]; it is the foundation of our faith [see Hebrews 11:1; Moroni 7:40] and an anchor to our souls [see Hebrews 6:19; Ether 12:4]. (“The Infinite Power of Hope,” 21–22)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
What can you do to make hope a more active part of your daily life?
Section 3
What effect can charity have on my relationships with others and with Jesus Christ?
After discussing faith and hope, Mormon concluded his sermon by focusing on charity, or “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Moroni 7:43–48, and consider marking words or phrases that define and describe charity.
President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, observed:
Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of charity. His premortal offering to be our Savior, His interactions throughout His mortal life, His supernal gift of the Atonement, and His continual efforts to bring us back to our Heavenly Father are the ultimate expressions of charity. He operates with a singular focus: love for His Father expressed through His love for each of us. …
I bear my witness that as we follow His perfect example, we can receive the gift of charity, which will bring us great joy in this life and the promised blessing of eternal life with our Father in Heaven. (“I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 6, 9)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
Think of a couple of examples of how Jesus Christ is “the perfect embodiment of charity.” Look up the accounts of the examples in the scriptures, and be prepared to share at least one of the examples with your class.
As you think about the Savior’s example, consider what charity can look like in your everyday life. President Thomas S. Monson taught:
I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.
There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.
Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike” [Horace Mann, Lectures on Education (1845), 297].
Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others. (“Charity Never Faileth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 124)
Record Your Thoughts
What can you do to more earnestly seek the gift of charity and develop Christlike love for others? Who needs to feel the Savior’s love through you? What can you do to help this person feel His love?