What does it mean to have charity?

So I bet you already guessed it but our question for today is:

The talk we are focusing on today is: Thomas S. Monson- What have I done for someone today?, October 2009

In the beginning of his talk he tells a story of an incredible father who every night ask his kids a question that ultimately helped define one of his kids lives. Here is the question:

“And what did you do for someone today?”

“The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others.

Besides Dr. McConnell’s distinguished medical career–where he directed the development of the tuberculosis tine test, participated in the early development of the polio vaccine, supervised the development of Tylenol, and was instrumental in developing the magnetic resonance imaging procedure, or MRI–he created an organization he calls Volunteers in Medicine, which gives retired medical personnel a chance to volunteer at free clinics serving the working uninsured. Dr. McConnell said his leisure time since he retired has “evaporated into 60-hour weeks of unpaid work, but [his] energy level has increased and there is a satisfaction in [his] life that wasn’t there before.” He made this statement: “In one of those paradoxes of life, I have benefited more from Volunteers in Medicine than my patients have.” There are now over 70 such clinics across the United States.”

I love this story. I love how he taught his children the importance of service through a simple question. 

After reading this I decided to try it out on my kids. My oldest is 7 so as you can guess the answers varied from helping imaginary friends with names I can’t pronounce to sharing half eaten lollipops 😂😂😂. It will be a work in progress for us over here.

Back to our quotes—-

unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish–and in effect save their lives.

President David O. McKay made this statement: “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.”

too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

At the end of talk he tells his birthday wish from the year before. 

“Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her.”

He tells us how he received so many letters and pictures, from people from all over, sharing how they tried to do over the course of the year. 👏👏👏

It was such a great talk and renews my desire to try a little harder to reach out and serve others. 

Lastly, don’t forget, our scripture for today is: Moroni 7:1-48

Here is a link to the other 21 questions,

-Debbie