The Pure Love of Christ

Hello everyone!

This week was transfers! Elder Whipple was sent to serve in Anoka with a new greenie, my mission brother Elder Simpson.

I got a new companion and his name is Elder Harper. He's a super nice dude from Idaho who grew up on a farm, and he's been out for 18 moths so hopefully he'll be able to show me a thing or two.

So we'll see what's to come! Our friends up here have been learning lot, as have we, and we are going to try to put some on baptism date this week, we'll see what happens!

Throughout my mission one of my favorite chapters to study in preach my gospel has been Chapter 6: attributes of Christ.

There's a whole bunch in there and it would be foolish of me to make the claim that one would be more important than the other. But my favorite by far is the attribute of Charity, the pure love of Christ.

Love is a complicated topic, the most written about in the world, with the possible exception of God himself. I have many thoughts on the matter, but as pertaining to missionary work, whether as a member or a full time missionary I believe charity and love to be essential to helping others receive the restored gospel.

Preach my Gospel says:

"Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself."

This week, I invite you all to increase your love and charity for those around you in just one way. Maybe you can help your child through a tough experience they had at school. Maybe you can make the effort to help someone in line at the grocery store. Maybe you can help your ministering brother or sister, or a nonmember, or a sibling, or maybe it's even the Bishop! I don't know, but I'm sure even they have rough days sometimes! Just find one way you can serve someone to increase your love towards them. And don't forget to report it! To your friend or your spouse or just yourself, but let yourself know that you made the effort to improve.

I love you all so much and I hope you all have an amazing week!

Elder Hatch