Seeking the presence of Christ through charity.

It has long been a desire of my heart to see the face of the Savior and know beyond the already firm knowledge of testimony that he lives. I desire with all my heart to be held by those strong arms, see that most beautiful of faces, and hear that voice like many rushing waters. Though I know now in part, within the limits of Spirit and testimony, I desire to know by sight, touch, and sound.

This is what I believe Paul meant when speaking of charity. He said:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Cor. 13:12)

He speaks of a glass, which I understand to mean “mirror” rather than “window.” We will see ourselves as in a mirror, but our true selves which, if we have charity, will be in the image of Christ.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18).

It seems clear that the method whereby we will accomplish this is charity, the pure love of Christ. If we practice seeing the Lord, we will one day do so perfectly. I see the Lord Jesus Christ in the faces of those he places in my path from day to day, looking at them as if they were he. If I become sufficiently adept at seeing him in others, I will finally reach the point that, when I look at him in the mirror, I will see him in myself. When I can have that kind of charity for myself, then I feel he will not be able to withhold himself from me.

Still, I see darkly both in windows and in mirrors, not having the kind of charity that he has, not seeing others as being Christ, judging them too harshly, calling for their condemnation, and hiding my face. Most of all, I lack true Christlike charity for myself. He is no less offended by my ill-treatment of myself than he is by my lack of compassion for others.

May we all find strength to seek the face of the Lord. He taught us how and offers this promise:

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am…(D&C 93:1)

Be the first to like.

Like

Unlike