ToPotC – Chapter 20 (Charity)

[Anonymous]

Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity

Some of you guys are way out ahead of the rest of us (I think my ward is still back at lesson 17).

From the Life of Howard W. Hunter

Quote:

I have always observed that this man loved others by putting them in high priority, by listening to understand, and by sharing his experiences with others, which was one of his great enjoyments. He has taught me to understand the importance of these virtues and to feel the joy in practicing them.

Quote:

He is a good listener.

I absolutely love that the word “listen” is being used to describe Howard’s charitable nature.

1. The two great commandments are the Lord’s touchstone for our discipleship.

2. The Savior taught us to love everyone, including those who may be difficult to love.

This section includes a retelling of the parable of the good Samaritan. Usually when we cover this parable someone in the class points out how the Samaritans were despised by Jews, this to make a few points about service. If I were teaching the class I might forgo the typical retelling of the parable and later explanation of the significance of the Samaritan being the one that came to the aid of the man who had been robbed and retell the parable using actors that our current culture has come to know and love, then remind people of the parable, a reversal of the formula that is usually presented in class.

A certain man: Brother Jones, a guy that everyone saw vote “any opposed” during general conference.

Fell among thieves: Brother Jones lost his job the week following conference.

A certain priest: A young second counselor in the bishopric.

A Levite: A person that successfully petitioned to become a bishop because they were able to prove that they were a direct descendant of the tribe of Levi. (We’ve all heard that Mormon legend, right? I’m just funning with the actors in my play.)

A certain Samaritan: Sister Peterson, a woman that was excommunicated from the church for her involvement in Ordain Women.

The second counselor in the bishopric speculates whether or not the loss of Brother Jones’ job is a sign of divine disfavor for not supporting the lord’s chosen servants.

The bishop wonders whether or not a disciplinary council should be held for Brother Jones. He consults his handbook of instruction.

Sister Peterson recognizes that Brother Jones’ family doesn’t have enough food to last until Brother Jones receives the first unemployment check so she brings the family meals for three consecutive nights and gives them some money to cover other expenses.

Tell a story about people we related to in our culture then reveal that it’s the story of the good Samaritan. I didn’t think my story through very well, it’s full of stereotypical gender roles. If I really did have to teach the class I’d put more thought into the story. If you can come up with better actors in the play please share.

3. We should love and serve others in their affliction.

4. We need to walk more resolutely the path of charity that Jesus has shown.

5. Charity is the pure love of Christ and will not fail.

6. Loving others is “a more excellent way.”

I like the story about the wrecking yard thief that’s in this section.

I usually try to do an image or two with these to break up the text wall and lighten the mood but what does a photoshop about charity look like? I’ll just take the image from the manual:

[img]http://i.imgur.com/GYbztYi.png[/img]

Master, please settle a dispute. Wearest thou a white robe with yellow overcoat or blue robe with black overcoat?

.

[Anonymous]

I usually imagine Jerald and Sandra Tanner in the roles of the Samaritan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerald_and_Sandra_Tanner

Aside from them being professional and dedicated anti-Mormons, I hear that they are and were really nice people – of the sort that they might stop to help if one was stranded at the side of the road.

[Author]

Posts