I Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

            I remember singing the hymn “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” as a child. It was just a song at that time, just words in the hymnal. Now that I am older, I understand better what it means to have a living prophet to guide us, and I am truly grateful to live in a day when a living prophet of God walks the earth.

            This week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that President Thomas S. Monson will not attend General Conference this weekend due to problems with old age. I am saddened at this news but not surprised because I know that he is 90 years old and have seen the effects of old age creeping up on him.

            I know that he has curtailed his speaking assignments in the past few years. Whereas the prophet usually opens and closes the conference as well as give two longer talks, President Monson gave an abbreviated talk to the priesthood brethren and a short talk to the general membership in the past two conferences. I miss the opportunity to hear directly from the prophet.

            In preparation for conference I listened to several talks given by President Monson in recent conferences. In the October 2016 General Conference, he first spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of living the Word of Wisdom. 

In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina….

Brethren, may we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do.

            The next morning President Monson spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic of “The Perfect Path to Happiness.” 

Our Father’s plan for our happiness and our salvation is shared by our missionaries throughout the world. Not all who hear this divine message accept and embrace it. However, men and women everywhere … recognize its truths, and they plant their feet on the path that will lead them safely home. Their lives are forever changed.

Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness.

We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us, “This is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

From the depths of my soul and in all humility, I testify of the great gift which is

our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come.

            In the April 2017 General Conference President Monson spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of having “Kindness, Charity, and Love.” He quotes Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as saying, “Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions … especially in our homes. Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion….” Then President Monson says following.

The scriptures teach us that the righteous exercise of the priesthood is dependent upon our living the principles of kindness, charity, and love….

Brethren, let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home.

            The next morning President Monson also spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic “The Power of the Book of Mormon.” He gave some powerful counsel in his short address.

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true – and I solemnly testify that it is – then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.

If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

            As I am writing this post before General Conference starts in a day or so, I do not know if President Monson has prepared remarks to be read by someone else. However, I discovered that he prepared the First Presidency message in the September 2017 Ensign titled “Prophets to Guide Us.” In his article he first shares an experience of sitting in the Salt Lake Temple and gazing on the portraits of his “predecessors – from the Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) to President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) – I thought, `How grateful I am for the guidance of each one.’” He proceeds to share what he learned from each of his predecessors and then adds the following.

The Savior sends prophets because He loves us. During general conference this October, the General Authorities of the Church will again have the privilege of sharing His word. We approach this responsibility with great solemnity and humility.

How blessed we are that the restored Church of Jesus Christ is upon the earth and that the Church is founded upon the rock of revelation. Continuous revelation is the very lifeblood of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we prepare to receive the personal revelation that comes in abundance during general conference. May our hearts be filled with deep determination as we raise our hands to sustain living prophets and apostles. May we be enlightened, uplifted, comforted, and strengthened as we listen to their messages. And may we be ready to recommit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ – His gospel and His work – and to live with renewed resolve in keeping His commandments and carrying out His will.

            The four talks and the First Presidency message referenced above contain the counsel of the living Prophet of the Lord on earth today. He gives the counsel that he believes to be most important for us to know right now. That counsel is: (1) Follow the teachings of the prophets; (2) Study the Book of Mormon to gain your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel; (3) Be kind, loving, and charitable; (4) Live and share the truth of the Father’s plan for our happiness, and (5) Live the Word of Wisdom.

            I thank God for the great blessing of living in a day when there are living prophets to lead and guide us in the ways of the Lord. I thank God for President Monson and the counsel he has given over the past year. I am grateful to know that he represents Heavenly Father and that his greatest desire to give me the counsel that I need to prepare to return to the presence of God. I know that President Monson is a prophet. “I thank thee, O God, for a prophet!”

Because of Love

                As I looked through the headlines of recent events in our nation and world, I had a difficult time focusing on any of them because they were all negative in one way or another.  My mind went to a story – a true story according to Willy Eagle -- about a Christmas miracle, a Christmas miracle of love.  I decided to share this story with you tonight because I believe in miracles.  I know that miracles take place because I have seen them; I have even seen Christmas miracles of my own.  I know that miracles happen all around us and probably every day in some way or another.  Miracles happen because people believe in Jesus Christ, and He in turn blesses them because He loves them.      

   

                Ether, an ancient American prophet, had the responsibility to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to his people.  He fulfilled his responsibility, but the people rejected his teachings.  Ether then had the responsibility to stand as a witness as his people destroyed themselves in wickedness and then to leave a record of what he saw.  His record is found in the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

                The prophet Ether wrote, “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith” (Book of Mormon, Ether 12:12).

                When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we can expect miracles in our behalf and in behalf of our loved ones.  As Christians we have the responsibility to be instruments in the hands of God as He performs miracles in the lives of other believers.  Miracles are a sign of God’s love for those who believe in Him.

Because of Love

                A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where their parents lived and cared for their small herd of horses.  They had grown up on the farm.  It was called the Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine standing on a hill behind the farmhouse.  Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.  The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood on the farm, but they had been drawn to the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoyed their exciting life in the city.

                The old folks no longer showed the horses because the years had taken on toll on them.  Getting to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it also gave them a reason to get up in the mornings as well as a reason to live.  They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day’s end.

                Angry as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks, “Why do you not at least dispose of the Old One?  She is no longer of use to you.  It’s been years since you’ve had foals from her.  You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves.  How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work?  Why do you keep her anyway?”

                The old man looked down at his worn boots with holes in the toes and scuffed at the barn floor.  He replied, “Yes, I could use a pair of new boots.”

                His arm slid defensively about the Old One’s neck as he drew her near.  With gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears.  He replied quietly, “We keep her because of love.  Nothing else, just love.”

                Baffled and impatient, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.  The couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit.  A tear fell upon their cheeks.  How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

                So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the smell of the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.  None saw the first spark fall, none but the “Old One”.

                In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay.  With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses.  But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back.  He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire’s fury.  His wife came back from calling for help and cradled him in her arms; clinging to each other, they wept at their loss. 

                By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left.  The old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together in front of the barn.  They were speechless and stunned as they rose from the cold snow-covered ground.  They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now.  The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulder as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana.  Brokenly he whispered, “We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.  Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair.  We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.”

                And so the old man took his wife by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old, withered hand.  The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the deep snow.  As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest; looking up to the top of the hill, the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

                Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles.  And poised on its top-most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass.  Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.  They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

                Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.  Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward.  There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift, shadows glistening in the night light.  Bedded down around the “Old One” close to the trunk of the tree was the entire herd, safe.

                At the first hint of smoke, the "Old One" had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it.  Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow.  The foals were frightened and dashed about.  The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits.  The mares that were in foal with a new year’s crop of babies pressed uneasily against the “Old One” as she moved calmly up the hill to safety beneath the pine.  And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

                The "Old One" had not disappointed those she loved.  Her body was brittle with years and tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift – LOVE.  It was given because of love, only because of love.  Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy.  And again the peace of love filled their hearts.

First Gift of Christmas

                    The first gift of Christmas is love.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  The feeling that we identify as the "Christmas Spirit" is actually God's love for his children or the Spirit of Christ.

                    A modern-day prophet, even President Thomas S. Monson, discussed how we can rediscover the spirit of Christmas and suggested five "gifts" that we could render to God or to others.  He suggested that our first gift should be the "gift of obedience" and keeping all God's commandments.  The second gift should be the "gift of selflessness" and giving of ourselves (a smile, a word of kindness, or a helping hand) to others.  The third gift should be the "gift of unselfishness" instead of thinking of own needs and wants.  The fourth gift should be the "gift of sharing" freely all that we have.  The fifth gift is the "gift of peace" instead of quarrels and contention to those around us.  "In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to love and give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable.  Today there are hearts to gladden, kind words to say, deeds to be done, and souls to be saved."

                    President Monson shared the following words of "one who had keen insight into the Christmas spirit."

I am the Christmas Spirit -

I enter the home of poverty, causing pale faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder.

I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.

I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old glad way.

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears - tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been and pointing forward to good days yet to be.

I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways, I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.

I am the Christmas Spirit.

(E.C. Baird, "Christmas Spirit," in James S. Hewitt, ed., Illustrations Unlimited (1988), 81)

                    President Monson has the Christmas Spirit all year long as he goes about doing good deeds and sharing cheerful and uplifting words.  In another article President Monson shared a story a news article written by Ray Jenkins entitled "The Quiet Drama at Gate 67" (The New York Times, Dec. 25, 1979, 23).  The experience actually took place in December 1970 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Travelers were "hoping to fly to New Orleans, Dallas, and other points west," but bad weather was causing flight delays.  The would-be passengers - all except "a man in a finely-tailored gray flannel suit" - were exhibiting signs of frayed nerves.  Suddenly a young man - about 19 years old and wearing a military uniform - approached the desk and indicated that he needed to get "make this flight" or "he might never again spend Christmas at home."  This experience took place during the Vietnam War, and the young man's unit was scheduled to be sent to Vietnam.  The agent listened compassionately but gave no promises.

                    The flight was announced, and the seats were all taken.  The young solder was frantic.  Then the businessman stepped forward.  "I have a confirmed ticket," he quietly told the agent.  "I'd like to give my seat to this young man."  The ticket agent "stared incredulously" at the businessman and then "motioned to the solder.  Unable to speak, tears streaming down his face, the boy in olive drab shook hands with the man in the gray flannel suit, who simply murmured, `Good luck.  Have a fine Christmas. Good luck.'"

                    The businessman then turned, picked up his briefcase, and headed to the all-night restaurant.  Even though there were thousands of people stranded in the Atlanta airport that night, only a few witnessed this example of "love and kindness between strangers" that "brought the spirit of Christmas into their hearts."

                    President Monson then offered the following counsel.  "My brothers and sisters, finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts.  Really, joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the world, who said, `Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

                    "As we contemplate how we are going to spend our money to buy gifts let us plan also for how we will spend our time in order to help bring the true spirit of Christmas into the lives of others.

                    "The Savior gave freely to all.  And His gifts were of value beyond measure.  Throughout His ministry, He blessed the sick, restored sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear, and the halt and the lame to walk.  He gave cleanliness to the unclean.  He restored breath to the lifeless.  He gave hope to the despairing, and He sowed light in the darkness.

                    "He gave us His love, His service, and His life.

                    "What is the spirit we feel at Christmastime?  It is His spirit - the spirit of Christ."

                    I am grateful that the Christmas season follows the political season because it gives us the opportunity to "wash the bad taste of politics" from our souls that we may go forward in peace and love.  It is my hope and prayer that we may all enjoy the Spirit of Christmas and that we might have the true feeling of peace that comes only from God. 

                   

Christmas Spirit

The Spirit of Christmas comes into the hearts of mankind each December. It “is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things” (1 Nephi 11:22).

The spirit of love is available to all mankind throughout the year, but most of us feel it more abundantly at Christmas time. It causes our hearts to soften toward other people and makes us want to give of ourselves and our substance to bless the lives of others.

“Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand A Little Taller, 371).

Christmas also means the love of Heavenly Father to all His children: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son….” (St. John 3:16). We have Christmas and the season of giving because Heavenly Father gave His Son, and Jesus Christ gave His life. Without Their gifts and sacrifices, there would be no Christmas. The Christmas spirit is the love of God to mankind. I encourage all of us to open our hearts wide in order to invite the Christmas spirit into our lives.

Love of God

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. I wanted to write something about love but still keep the Sabbath Day as a day to honor God. So I chose to write about God’s love for us and our love for Him. "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:5). With these words, Jesus Christ taught His followers how to be true disciples of the Savior. Some people think that love does away with the need to be obedient, but they are mistaken. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of God's laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love. … those who understand God's plan for His children know that God's laws are invariable, which is another great evidence of His love for His children…. God's love is so perfect that He lovingly requires us to obey His commandments because He knows that only through obedience to His laws can we become perfect as He is" (Ensign, Nov. 2009, 26-29). Jesus was asked, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" His answer was, "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 neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:36-39). Christ taught that to truly love God, we must also love His children. A true disciple of Christ shows his or her love of God by keeping the commandments and showing love to everyone. Love should be at the center of everything we do. "Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and talk. "When we truly understands what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden" (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, November 2009, 21). Heavenly Father wants us to love Him because He knows that "love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are - and who we will become" (Uchtdorf, p 22). God loves us and wants us to return to His presence to live with Him and Jesus Christ for all eternity. The commandments as well as the principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are part of the ladder by which we make our way back to heaven. Our obedience shows God how much we love Him. We can increase our love for God by "aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word" (Uchtdorf, 23). As we reach our to God through prayer, scripture study, and attendance at Church and temple, He reaches out for us and leads us in the way we need to go. "Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciple's path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder. "Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the3 altitude of our discipleship. "Love is the way of the disciple" (Uchtdorf, 24). I know that God lives and loves His children - every one of us. I love Him. I want to be known as one who loves God with all my heart, soul and mind and one who loves my neighbor as myself.

Keep The Christmas Spirit

One of my favorite Christmas stories is a story of how we can change our lives. This story is called A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It was written nearly 200 years ago but is still relevant and popular today. The Christmas Carol is a story about a man named Ebeneezer Scrooge who was filled with hate. Even though he was still walking around, eating, sleeping, working, etc, his heart was stone cold and darkness filled his life. He didn't like anyone, not even himself. One night Ebeneezer Scrooge was visited by the ghost of his late partner. He noticed that Marley was dragging a heavy chain made of "cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel." Marley told Scrooge, "I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it." I wonder what my chain is made of and what is hanging from it. Scrooge questioned, "Why do spirits walk the earth?" Marley answered, "It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world … and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness." Scrooge stated that Marley "was always a good man of business." To this, Marley cried, "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business." After the ghost of Marley departed, Scrooge was visited by three spirits. The first spirit referred to himself as the Ghost of Christmas Past. This spirit took Scrooge back through his childhood, youth, and young adulthood. He saw the kindness of his younger sister and the pretty young woman that he had once loved but lost because he was too interested in money. The second spirit referred to himself as the Ghost of Christmas Present. This spirit showed Scrooge the citizens of his area. They were living in less than pleasant circumstances but were happy. He saw people preparing to observe Christmas with faith, food, family and friends. Scrooge saw the family of Bob Cratchit, particularly crippled Tiny Tim. This family was very poor but happy and full of love. Bob worked for Scrooge, but Scrooge didn't pay him enough to support his family. Scrooge saw his nephew who was trying to be kind to Scrooge and include him in his life, but Scrooge thought his nephew wanted only his money and wouldn't have anything to do with him. The third spirit was the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. This spirit showed Scrooge as a dead man who was unloved and unmourned. It also showed the Cratchit family in a state of deep mourning for Tiny Tim. When Scrooge returned from the last visit, he realized that he was still alive and capable of changing his future. He became friendly with his nephew, raised the salary of Bob Cratchit and helped the struggling Cratchit family. He made mankind his business. He became a good friend, a good employer, and a good man. Christmas is a season when a peaceful, calm feeling of love is in the very air. It is a time when most of us are a little more tolerant of the bad behavior of other people and a little more helpful to the poor and needy. It is a time when we dig a little deeper in our pockets, wallets, and purses to purchase gifts for those we love and to help other people, even strangers, to have a happier Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. The feeling in the air is love. It is through the love of Christ for us that we have the ability to love other people. It is something that we can keep with us all the time. A favorite comic of mine is a Family Circus by Bill Keane. The picture is of a mother boxing up and putting away Christmas decorations and a little boy speaking to his mother: "Grandma says when we put away the Christmas things … we shouldn't put the Christmas Spirit away with them." I am still enjoying my Christmas decorations but have decided to put them away this week. I've decided to do something a little different this year. I will keep one of my many Nativity scenes out in the open to remind me to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive in my home. It will help me to remember that Jesus Christ is the reason that we celebrate Christmas and that it is possible to have His Spirit with us always. It will help me to remember Jesus Christ and the love that He has for each of us. I hope that it will help me to be more loving, kinder and more gentle to those around me.

Footprints

This is one of my favorite stories. It reminds me of the great love that Jesus Christ has for all of us. The author is unknown but has my deepest thanks. I hope that you enjoy this story also. "One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him, and he questioned the Lord about it. `Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.' The Lord replied, `My precious, precious child. I love you and I would never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'"

God So Loved the World

I enjoy the Christmas season. I like the colors of Christmas. I like the Christmas music. I marvel at the softening of hearts that come at Christmas time. The spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (Saint John 3:16-17). God, our Father in Heaven, loves all of His children so much that He sent his First Born Son to live on earth that His other children might have the opportunity to return to God's presence. Our Father's gift to us is His Son Jesus Christ. He gave Christ to us for our benefit. As a parent, I learned a little about the great love that our Father in Heaven showed when He gave this gift. Some years ago my third daughter was playing soccer in Texas. She had the soccer ball and was on a break away run towards the goal. The opposing goalie ran out to stop my daughter from making a goal. In doing so, she planted her feet on my daughter's leg and broke both of the bones in her lower leg in several places. Our doctor would later tell us that he rarely saw such serious breaks from sports because they usually came from such things as car accidents. My daughter was treated in Texas and then made the long and painful trip back to Alaska. After a couple of weeks of pain, x-rays, and counseling with doctors, the determination was made that the bone would not stabilize on its own but would need more help than just a cast. Surgery was performed to install a titanium rod down the inside of her tibia. I've been told that bone pain is the worst kind of pain, even worse than child birth, and I believe it. I was with my daughter when she came out of surgery. She kept crying out with pain until a nurse would come to give her some pain killer. It seemed that only a minute or so would go by before she was crying out with pain again. It was a very difficult experience to watch a beloved child suffer such pain and to not be able to do anything to help her. I had to let her suffer until someone else would come to help her. While I was thus watching my daughter suffer, a thought went through my mind that I believe was personal revelation. The thought was, "This is how Heavenly Father felt as He watched His Son, Jesus Christ, suffer in Gethsemane and on the cross." This was a very shocking thought for me because I had never previously considered Heavenly Father's pain in connection with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…." He gave us the greatest gift that He could give to us and at great personal cost. I know this to be true because I have tasted of that pain. How can we show Him that we appreciate His gift to us? The only way that we can adequately show our gratitude for this great gift is to make room in our hearts and in our lives for His Son, Jesus Christ.