If They Have Not Charity It Mattereth Not Unto Thee

By: Brandon Pritchard

I would love your thoughts, comments, and opinions on anything I post!

I've been thinking a lot lately about old friends who have fallen away from the church, and more importantly, from the gospel of Christ. I've thought about various motivations that I have seen both on and off my mission. I've thought about the consequences that come, from the inner turmoil that I myself have experienced when I chose to live without the light of Christ in my life to illuminate the way. 

I'm not going to lie, it sucks. 

So often, I've found that people abandon the church after taking some form of offense, and for whatever reason, the gospel standards they so often lived go right out the window behind their Sunday devotions. While I agree that there are countless reasons for someone to fall away, I have no qualms when I say that a lot of the time, some form of offense or another often plays a big part. From the family who feels judged for their manner of living the Sabbath day, to the young man whose past mistakes are not left to rest by others in the congregation, so many friends have let how others view them destroy ties that truly are essential for inner peace in this life, and eternal happiness in the hereafter. 

It's to you I write.

In Ether 12, in the Book of Mormon, Moroni writes of grace of Jesus Christ and the power to "make weak things become strong". In that chapter, Moroni laments the fact that, while some prophets, ancient even to them, were "mighty in writing . . . unto the overpowering of man to read them," his writings would be mocked for their simplicity. Even then, as he wrote the record that has most likely brought more unto Christ than any other book, excluding the Holy Bible, he worried about the judgments of those that would read it. After assuring Moroni that all weak things could, and would, be made strong through humility and faith, the Lord shared with the prophet something that I believe we should all remember and take to heart.

"If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father." - Ether 12:37

In simpler terms? It doesn't matter whether or not they have charity, whether or not they judge. Be faithful. Why? Because in the end, it doesn't matter what they think: if you're humble and faithful, your sins are forgiven, your weaknesses will be made strong, and you will sit down with Christ in the mansions of His Father, YOUR Father.

It's to you, and to me, and to those who judge, and those who hate, and to those who love, and to all, that Christ extends the invitation: 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

Come to Him, lay upon Him your burdens, and find peace. Please.