(12/4/03)
"It is the pure love of Christ, called charity, that the Book of Mormon testifies is the greatest of all-that never faileth, that endureth forever, that all men should have, and that without which they are nothing (see Moroni 7:44-47; 2 Nephi 26:30)." - "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," [Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988], p. 349

(12/5/03)
"Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it." - Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," April, 1918, p. 4

(12/6/03)
"The poor should be remembered particularly at this festive season. No one should be left without the comforts of life while we are rejoicing over the advent into the world of Him who taught love and charity and peace to be extended even to our enemies. The poor ought always to receive our aid and at Christmas time especially they should be supplied with comforts suitable to the occasion." - "Messages of the First Presidency," 4:96, 17 December 1904

(12/7/03)
"Only by voluntarily giving, out of an abundant love for his neighbor, can one develop that charity characterized by Mormon as the 'pure love of Christ.' (Moro. 7:47.) In Mosiah we read: 'And... Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. 

'And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God.' (Mosiah 18:27-28; italics added.)

 Some may ask, 'How do I obtain these righteous feelings in giving? How do I overcome giving grudgingly? How do I obtain the 'pure love of Christ?'' To those I would say: Faithfully live all the commandments, give of yourselves, care for your families, serve in church callings, perform missionary work, pay tithes and offerings, study the scriptures-and the list could go on. As you lose yourself in this service, the Lord will touch and soften your heart and gradually bring you to the feelings with which he blessed the people in King Benjamin's time, which prompted them to say, 'Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.' (Mosiah 5:2.)" - Marion G. Romney, "Living Welfare Principles," Ensign, Nov. 1981, p. 92-93