Today, as I was waiting in the chapel of the Denver Temple, I read this verse:

“And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works” (Alma 7:24).

There is a clear formula here that I never noticed before…

If we are filled with those three attributes we will inherently produce good works. 

Is it simple enough to think that we should focus on these three and then everything else will flow from it?

Jesus tells us we are to be like him:

“…Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).

Knowing he was sinless, that can be a high bar. However, maybe we start with something we can manage. One of my favorite descriptions of the Savior, we find in Acts 10:38–“Jesus … went about doing good…”

That brings us back to good works and the formula Alma taught. Faith. Hope. Charity.

“Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity (Moroni 10:20).”

“And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing” (D&C 18:19).

“… faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness (Ether 12:28).

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three…”(1 Corinthians 13:13).