ATTRIBUTES OF GODLINESS

Although Joseph Smith never enumerated them in his Lectures on Faith, he taught that it was essential to believe that God had all Characteristics and Attributes of Perfection, that we should strive to learn these attributes and make them part of our own character.

We don’t often look at the list in this way, but I believe when we are reading about charity in the seventh chapter of Moroni in the Book of Mormon, we are reading a pretty good starter list of the Characteristics, Attributes and Perfections of Godliness.

The 47th verse states: But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Verse 45 gives us the list: And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

In verse 46 the Lord declares what will be lost if we are not found possessed of the Characteristics and Attributes of Charity when the Final Judgement is pronounced upon us: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—(But charity is the pure love of Christ)

When the descendants of Lehi heard the last sermon of the Prophet/King Benjamin, they received the blessing of no longer having any desire to do evil, but to do good continually wrought upon them by the power of God. It seems only natural that before we can really begin to put upon us the Characteristics and Attributes of Godliness we must first overcome our carnal tendencies of being easily provoked, thinking evil and rejoicing in iniquity. It is so sad that most of us spend most of our lives stagnated while fighting against these challenging parts of our mortal probationary period, when evidently sincere petitions to our Lord and Savior can do more to erase these desires than years of kicking against the pricks depending upon our own strength and ability.

Charity envieth not: I didn't include this in the evil paragraph because I have come to look at the lack of coveting as a transitional Characteristic which frees us from concentrating on the glitz and glamour of the world, so that we can more fully concentrate our efforts on the positive Characteristics of Godliness. The scriptures remind us of having our eyes single to the Glory of God and how difficult it is for a double minded man to do that which is right. Therefore, even though we are not putting on an Attribute of Godliness, we are eliminating a major element which will distract us from our goal.

Charity seeketh not her own and is not puffed up: A very long time ago, which is the reality of much of my mortal learning, I was taught the principle of ‘I am third’. (God is first – everyone else is second – I am third) I suspect most of us would have to admit that we spend a lot of time viewing ourselves as number one! Perhaps if we would learn to investigate our motivation for what we do in life, we might find ourselves being third more often. Why – do I study scriptures? – So I can learn – So I can help others to know – Because God has asked me to. Did I put them in the correct ‘I am third’ order?

Charity suffereth long, endureth all things and beareth all things: Since the days I have suffered are comparatively fewer than the days I have spent free of suffering during my life, I can only speak about being in wonder of those who have had to endure endless suffering, and they abide it. I do realize also as in every case, the Savior’s example of long suffering was greater than the combined suffering of all. It seems we need to put on the Attribute of charitably suffering all emotional and physical pains which come upon us.

Charity is kind: I have come to believe the Characteristic of kindness needs to become proactive rather than reactive. So often we are prone to respond in kind to acts of kindness, but we are really putting upon us the Attribute of kindness when it becomes our nature to do so, not because someone has been kind to us. The Prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon reminded us that air, light and substance are given unconditionally to all.

Charity hopeth all things, believeth all things, and rejoiceth in the truth: The challenge of our ability to handle the truth seems like it should be the easiest of the Characteristics of Godliness which we are trying to have become part of our natures. However, it seems our natural tendency is to make all truths circumstantial to what is convenient or that which creates the path of least resistance in our coming and goings. We will never find ourselves rejoicing in the truth until we have had it confirmed by the Holy Ghost and then with determination aligned our lives to the principles outlined.

It wouldn't take a very exhaustive searching of the scriptures to realize the need to add such Characteristics as love, patience or trust, meekness, humility, mercy, grace, peacemaker and the pure in heart along with many other Attributes to the list of those Perfections Joseph Smith spoke of in his Lectures on Faith. It may be sufficient to say that, there indeed is work enough to do that we will be able to work and wear out our lives in the doing.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY