Doctrinal Mastery: Moroni 7:45–48

“Charity Is the Pure Love of Christ”

two women hugging

In your study of Moroni 7:44–48, you learned how to seek to develop charity, the pure love of Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Moroni 7:45–48, explain the doctrine taught in this passage, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

Explain and memorize

Consider the following scenario to help you practice explaining the divine attribute of charity.

Imagine during a Come, Follow Me discussion with your family, while talking about the meaning of charity, your younger brother says something like, “Isn’t charity just doing nice things for people?” You tell your brother that being nice is a part of charity but that you learned more about it in seminary.

• What other details about charity would you tell your brother?

icon, record

1. In two or three sentences, explain the meaning of charity using your own words and the teachings found in Moroni 7:45–48.

Use the following idea to help you memorize the scripture reference and key scripture phrase. Or choose a different method that best helps you memorize.

Draw a large heart in your study journal. Look at the following image, and inside your heart drawing, write the scripture reference and key scripture phrase in the correct order.

line drawing of heart with scripture reference and key scripture phrase for Moroni 7:45–48 surrounding the heart in random order

Recite the scripture reference and key scripture phrase a few times until you have them memorized. Consider cutting out the drawing and placing it where you will see it often.

Practice application

To help you review the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, correct the following three phrases and explain what they mean. If you need help, study paragraphs 5–12 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023).

1. Examine in faith.

2. Seek further understanding through divinely appointed perspective.

3. Act concepts and questions with an eternal sources.

Read the following scenarios:

• Oskar is easily annoyed by his younger siblings. They often beg Oskar to play with them or help them with their homework. Oskar just wants his siblings to leave him alone so he can do his own thing.

• Hae-Won learned that another girl in her Young Women class has been spreading rumors about her. Hae-Won feels confused and hurt by this and is unsure how to respond.

• Kapo wants to be popular at school and appear fearless in front of his friends. He often belittles other classmates and takes their things without asking.

2.  Choose at least one of the previous scenarios. Imagine you are trying to help the person in that scenario. Answer at least one question from each of the following headings:

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

• What might you share from Moroni 7:45–48 that could motivate this person to respond with more charity in their situation?

• What are some other scriptures or statements by Church leaders that might help?

Act in faith

• What challenges might this person face as they try to apply what you share with them?

• How could they act in faith even with these challenges?

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

• How could viewing the situation with an eternal perspective help him or her feel more charity for others?

• How might examining the way Jesus Christ treated others help this person be more charitable?