George (real name withheld by request), a retired research physicist, says his charitable giving began "for selfish reasons." Following his wife's death in 2002, he wrote their love story. In doing so, he realized her greatest gift was charity. George felt he needed to acquire her same gift. The scripture that motivated him was Moroni 7:47: "Charity is the pure love of Christ … and whoso is found possessed of [charity] at the last day, it shall be well with him."
George was interested in the Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) proposed by President Hinckley in 2001.1 So he started donating to the PEF on a regular basis. He also started traveling to Central and South America, where he was struck by how happy the people were, even though they often had very little. On a trip to Machu Picchu, Peru, George met a Peruvian woman and little girl. He gave a sack of candy to the little girl. She carefully pulled out pieces of candy, and gave one to each person present before she finally put one in her own mouth. George couldn't get the incident out of his mind. He realized: "That was my Father in Heaven telling me I had a long way to go. I call it 'The Parable of the Little Peruvian Girl.' Sharing with others before yourself is obviously important to the Lord." After that George began to donate regularly to Humanitarian Services causes.
George feels he has been blessed with greater patience and love for his fellow man as a result of his charitable giving. Referring to the Parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30–37), he said the Lord wants us to act—not just feel charity. Another blessing is the growth of his testimony, specifically the sure knowledge that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Holy Ghost has borne witness to him of that. George says, "It is important for people to use their agency. This is how I use mine. Charitable giving reminds us of what He did. His whole life was giving, including His ultimate sacrifice. I hope I've changed. I think I have. I feel like a different person."