Charity Never Faileth

In First Corinthians and in Moroni, we read similar verses about charity. Comparing them is interesting, but that will be for another post. I am interested, however, in something both of them say, particularly the phrase "charity never faileth."

This is the slogan for the Relief Society organization, the oldest and largest women's organization in the world: Charity Never Faileth.

So I would ask... charity never fails... at what?

My initial understanding is and has always been that not failing means it never goes away; it endures forever. In Paul's words: "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (1 Cor 13:8) Despite many things that eventually will be done away, charity will never be done away. Charity endures forever.

Now that said, I do not think that this is necessarily the only meaning of the phrase charity never faileth.

This chapter begins with Paul explaining the importance of charity in our individual lives.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." (1 Cor 13:1-3)

After reading these verses, I feel that Paul has impressed rather indelibly that we don't want to ignore our development of charity. While there's a lot to talk about in these verses, I would consider only a small bit. Paul says that without charity, what I say means nothing, "I am nothing" and other seemingly noble acts "profiteth me nothing."

Really? The gift of prophecy? Understanding all mysteries? Having all knowledge? Having faith to move mountains? And I am nothing?! Giving all my material things to the poor profits me nothing?! Why?! Why does a lack of charity make all of these things essentially worthless to me?

I think the reason might be that charity never faileth.

"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.

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure." (Moroni 7:47-48 emphasis added)

Could it be that charity -- true, pure, undefiled charity -- never faileth to bring a man (or woman, of course) back to the kingdom of God? Could it be that this love will lead us to be like Him? That our way of being toward all men will be as is our Lord and Savior's and that as such, our hearts will desire righteousness, goodness, and kindness? And if our hearts desire these things, will it not bring us to the actions, words, and thoughts that lead us unto Christ?

Charity never faileth. Yes, it endures forever, but this is not all. Charity saves us. It is the charity of Christ that brings us the offering of His Atonement, and it is His gift of charity which He "bestow[s] upon all who are true followers of [Him]" which never fails to lead us back to Him.

John said "We love [Christ], because [Christ] first loved us." (John 4:19) And I would say that I love my brother because Christ first loved me, for "he who loveth God love his brother also," (John 4:21) otherwise "he is a liar." (John 4:20)