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What I REALLY Want


I am a Mormon. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This impacts my life in ways that are great and small. One of the many things that appeals to me about my faith can be found in the following verses from Moroni 7:

47 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.

 48 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. Amen.

This was taken from a sermon delivered by Mormon, author of the eponymous Book of Mormon. Sometime around 400 years after the birth of Christ and His visit to the Americas, this prophet and historian gave an address to a congregation of followers. He expounded on the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, noting the linked nature of these virtues, and explaining that the greatest virtue is charity. It is not dissimilar to Paul's sermon found in 1 Corinthians 13, but these two verses add something that Paul does not, although there is similarity between the symbolism of seeing through the mirror darkly, and later face to face, and the idea that when He appears we shall be like Him, and see Him like He is.

Just, incredible. Absolutely incredible. I love that so much.

If I could have one life-pursuit, this would be it: verse 48 above. That one verse encapsulates everything I want to be, the summation of everything I hope for, and the truest, deepest desire of my heart. And so I do as the verse commends - I pray that I may be filled with this love. It's what I want, more than anything.

I know that I am not perfect. I know that I am filled with flaws, and I am often troubled by how easily my weaknesses get the better of me. But I hope - like the verse says - that I may be purified, even as He is pure.

Oh, how I want that!

I hope that I can be worthy of that - filled with love, and purified...

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