Week 79: Letter vs. spirit of the law

Whenever a rule or standard comes into conflict with what I want to do, I get around it by saying, "I'm more of a 'spirit-of-the-law' kind of guy, anyway." It's always a joke, of course. Maybe some see the spirit of the law as a "looser" interpretation of the letter. Perhaps others suppose the letter of the law was created for those weaker than they, so they define themselves slightly different standards and call it the spirit of the law. In reality, the spirit of the law only operates within the realm of the letter of the law.

Letter of the law: what the rule/standard/guideline/law/commandment tells you to do.

Spirit of the law: when the letter of the law doesn't specify what to do in a given situation, use your best judgment based on what you know about yourself, others, and the situation to make a decision in accordance with the reason or intent for which the letter of the law was created.

Some laws are higher than others. When Jesus was asked about what the great commandment was, he answered,

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"This is the first and great commandment.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

In my mind, that means living any law profits you to the same extent to which you love God and your neighbor.

If you see someone else doing something wrong, your correction may be appropriate, but make sure you do it according to what Jesus taught. In other words, love the person you're correcting.

Amulek had a few words to say about charity:

"Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men" (Alma 34:29).

So, don't be as dross. Mormon tells us what we can do to obtain charity:

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

"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.

"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" (Moroni 7:46-48).

Look for opportunities to apply this counsel; it shouldn't be too hard to find one. My fondest memories from all my transfers have come from when I made a greater effort to love my companion and love the people. Furthermore, make a sincere effort to obey all commandments with exactness, and more importantly, remember the reason behind them. Ask God for help in applying the spirit of the law.