Welcome to Part 2 with Dr. Anthony Sweat, Maroni Chapter 10.

The Bible Dictionary has a really interesting entry on charity where it says,

The Scriptures never described charity as acts of alms giving towards others.

It's a condition.

Charity, as President Oaks said there, it is this state of being. The root word, as some have heard

before, is agape, which that's been used in different ways, but the definition of it literally

is the fatherly love of God toward his children and their love for him in return. The reason

why I believe charity is the greatest of all the gifts of God

is because charity is the greatest gift that changes us to become like God.

When we dwell in this condition of love with God,

it refines our souls, it sanctifies and purifies and changes us into being more Christ-like.

That's why at the last day,

whoever has charity, it will be well with her or him,

because you will be more Christ-like. You'll be dwelling in their love.

Heaven isn't so much a location as it is an ability,

or heaven is a capacity more than a locality.

If we're going to live God's life, we have to be like God.

We have to have become or become endowed with his characteristics, his qualities.

The reason why you and I are going to be in despair, as Moroni is saying here,

is if you don't have faith, you won't have hope.

And if you don't have hope, you won't have charity.

And then without charity, you cannot become like God.

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