The Nativity

                Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but His birth is more than just a symbol or a holiday.  Heavenly Father gave His Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, the King of kings, and the Prince of Peace.  The Babe born in Bethlehem is the first gift of Christmas, and He is our joy and our salvation.  Our Christmas celebration will have greater meaning as we learn more about Jesus Christ and seek to live His teachings and follow His example.

                The birth of Jesus Christ was prophesized for hundreds of years before He was born.  The prophet Isaiah said, “Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign – Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

                In ancient America more than one hundred years before the birth of Christ, a righteous King Benjamin taught his people: “For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay….

                “And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Mosiah 3:5, 8).

                The familiar story of the Nativity [video can be seen here]  comes from the New Testament.  “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

                “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

                “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:  blessed art thou among women.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:  for thou hast found favour with God.

                “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

                “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

                “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

                “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

                “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

                “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age:  and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

                “For with God nothing shall be impossible.

                “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.  And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:26-38).

                Luke continued his story:  “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed….

                “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

                “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

                “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

                “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

                “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

                “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

                “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

                “And the angel said unto them, Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

                “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

                “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

                “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

                “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

                “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

                “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

                “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

                “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

                “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

                “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them” (Luke 2:1-20; emphasis added).

                Matthew is the only source for the visit of the wise men, and he does not mention how many wise men came.  He also tells us that some time had passed since the Babe was born.  “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

                “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

                “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

                “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born

                “And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea:  for thus it is written by the prophet,

                “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda:  for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

                “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

                “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, God and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

                “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

                “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

                “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

                “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (Matthew 1-12); emphasis added).

                Prophets today testify the Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer.  “With the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment – a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar.  This child was to become the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the promised Messiah – Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  

Joseph Smith the Prophet

                I was asked a couple of weeks ago to share my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I was happy to do so.  You see, the more I learn about Joseph Smith, the more I want to meet him in the next life.  I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since I was baptized at eight years of age, but I have not always had a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  I always believed that he was a true prophet, but I could not testify that he was – and still is.

                When I was thirty years old, married, and a mother of three young children under the age of four years, I was working in the Primary Organization, the organization for children ages three to twelve in our church.  One Sunday in testimony meeting, I witnessed child after child go to the stand and say “I know Joseph Smith is a prophet” and “I know the Church is true.”  I wondered to myself, do they really know it or are they simply repeating words they have heard from other people?  Then I began to question myself.  Do I know that Joseph was a true prophet?  Do I know that the Church is the true church of God on earth today?  I realized that I could not say “I know.”

                That day was the beginning of my quest to learn for myself whether or not the things that I deeply believed were true.  I never doubted their truthfulness; I simply wanted God to confirm to me that they are true.  Somehow I understood that the truthfulness of the Church depended on whether or not Joseph Smith was a true prophet so I began my quest by reading books and articles about Joseph Smith.  After a month or two or maybe even three months, the Holy Ghost whispered to me, “If you really want to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, you need to read the Book of Mormon.”

                I had read the Book of Mormon several times previously to starting my quest.  I knew the story well and could even quote scripture from the Book of Mormon.  I made the determination that I would follow the counsel of the Holy Ghost and read the Book of Mormon.  I remembered my father-in-law giving me a suggestion of how to study the Book of Mormon, and I followed his suggestion.  As I recently thought about this process, I wrote down the following procedures: 

1. Read the promise of the Prophet Moroni in Moroni 10:2-5 (page 529).

2. Read the conversion story of Alma, the son of Alma in Mosiah 27 (pages 199-202).

3. Read the conversion story of King Lamoni in Alma 18-19 (pages 253-259).

4. Read the conversion story of King Lamoni’s father, the King over the entire land, in Alma 22 (pages 263-266).

5. Read the record of the Savior’s visit to the American continents and the resulting conditions in 3 Nephi 11-29 and 4 Nephi 1:1-18 (pages 427-466).

6. Read the entire Book of Mormon.

                I already knew the story found in Book of Mormon and most of the doctrines.  I knew that I was not particularly looking for knowledge; I knew that I was looking for a particular key, something that would make a difference for me.  My “key” may not be the same as your “key” because we are individuals with different experiences and knowledge.

                I read the Moroni’s promise and the conversion stories; I was almost finished reading about the Savior’s visit to the American continents when I found my “key” in 3 Nephi 27.  The Nephite disciples were discussing and “disputing” possible names for the church when the Savior appeared to them.  “… why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

                “Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name?  For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

                “And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.

                “Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

                “And how be it my church save it be called in my name?  For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

                “Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;

                “And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

                “But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

                “For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 27:4-12; pages 458-459).

                As soon as I read those words, I knew I had found my key.  I knew that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized with six members and had grown to two or three million at that time.  I knew that every prayer, every talk, and every ordinance was done in the name of Jesus Christ.  I knew that the Church taught the gospel of Jesus Christ.

                I went to my bedroom and knelt by the side of my bed in prayer.  I remember asking God to help me to know the truth and to know that I know.  I received the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in such rich abundance that I felt as though light was coming from my entire body – much like a giant light bulb.  I felt the Spirit confirming to me the truth in such a way that I knew that I knew.  I did not doubt previous to this manifestation, and I certainly cannot doubt now.  I can say that I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in truly the Church of Jesus Christ.

                I would like to close my post by sharing the testimonies of two other people.  John Taylor was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles when Joseph Smith was killed; he later became the third president of the Church.  He wrote the following which is now published in the Doctrine and Covenants 135:3:  “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.”

                President Gordon B. Hinckley testified, “I bear solemn testimony of the divinity of Joseph Smith’s call, of the magnitude of his accomplishments, of the virtue of his life, and of the security of his place among the great and honored of the Almighty in all generations of time.  We stand in reverence before him.  He is the great prophet of this dispensation.  Let us not forget him.  God be thanked for the Prophet Joseph” (Stand A Little Taller, p. 374).

                As we commemorate the birth of Joseph Smith on December 23, let us remember that he was a prophet whom God called to restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ to earth once again.  We do not worship Joseph Smith, but we certainly do give him honor as he stands at the head of this dispensation of time.

                I encourage you to study the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ and learn the truth for yourself.  If you follow the admonition of Moroni, you can learn the truth.  As you read and study the Book of Mormon, ask God if it is true.  If you ask “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  By the power of the Holy Ghost

you can “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:4-5).

The Living Christ

                On January 1, 2000, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a one-page document entitled “The Living Christ:  The Testimony of the Apostles.”  This document commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and reaffirms the doctrines and teachings of the Church about Him.  This declaration was signed by fifteen Apostles of the Church:  three members of the First Presidency (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust) and by the members of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Henry B. Eyring).  The document has been frequently quoted by leaders and members and featured in Church magazines and publications.

The Living Christ:  The Testimony of the Apostles

                As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.  He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.  Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth.  “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).  Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it.  His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.  He entreated all to follow His example.  He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.  He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

                He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice.  He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross.  He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind.  His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

                We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary.  He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

                He rose from the grave to “become the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20).  As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life.  He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America.  In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

                Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote:  “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:  `I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father’” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:3-4).

                Of Him the Prophet also declared:  “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him:  That he lives!

                “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father –

                “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24).

                We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth – “built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

                We testify that He will someday return to earth.  “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5).  He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him.  Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

                We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles – that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.  He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father.  He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.  His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.  God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

We Reap What We Sow

                Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when we teach the rising generation that choices have consequences, decisions determine destinies, and we reap what we sow.   Children and youth must be taught to accept responsibility for their lives in general or they will fall into the trap of being “victims.”  People who accept responsibility for themselves usually do not need much help from anyone else.

                Amid all the noise about redistribution of wealth and economic equality, I found an article by Dave Ramsey to be very enlightening. 

In his article entitled “20 Things the Rich Do Every Day,”  Ramsey asked the question, “so what do the rich do every day that the poor don’t do?”  He quoted a list first printed by Tom Corley on his website outlining a few of the differences between the habits of the rich and the poor.  This list is very interesting, and it gives us much cause to think.

1. 70% of wealthy eat less than 300 junk food calories per day [while] 97% of poor people eat more than 300 junk food calories per day.  23% of wealthy gamble [while] 52% of poor people gamble.

2. 80% of wealthy are focused on accomplishing some single goal [while] only 12% of the poor do this.

3. 76% of wealthy exercise aerobically four days a week [while] 23% of poor do this.

4. 63% of wealthy listen to audio books during commute to work [while] 5% of poor people [do].

5. 81% of wealthy maintain a to-do list [while] 19% of poor [do].

6. 63% of wealthy parents make their children read two or more non-fiction books a month [while] 3% of poor [do].

7. 70% of wealthy parents make their children volunteer 10 hours or more a month [while] 3% of poor [do].

8. 80% of wealthy make Happy Birthday calls [while] 11% of poor [do].

9. 67% of wealthy write down their goals [while] 17% of poor [do].

10. 88% of wealthy read 30 minutes or more each day for education or career reasons [while] 2% of poor [do].

11. 6% of wealthy say what’s on their mind [while] 69% of poor [do].

12. 79% of wealthy network five hours or more each month [while] 16% of poor [do].

13. 67% of wealthy watch one hour or less of TV every day [while] 23% of poor [do].

14. 6% of wealthy watch reality TV [while] 78% of poor [do].

15. 44% of wealthy wake up three hours before work starts [while] 3% of poor [do].

16. 74% of wealthy teach good daily success habits to their children [while] 1% of poor [do].

17. 84% of wealthy believe good habits create opportunity luck [while] 4% of poor [do].

18. 76% of wealthy believe bad habits create detrimental luck [while] 9% of poor [do].

19. 86% of wealthy believe in lifelong educational self-improvement [while] 5% of poor [do].

20. 86% of wealthy love to read [while] 26% of poor [do].

                So what can we take from the information in this list that we can teach to the rising generation?  We can teach them the importance of developing good habits.  We can teach them the importance of taking care of their physical bodies by eating nutritional food, exercising regularly, and getting appropriate amounts of sleep.  We can teach them to love reading and learning new things.  We can teach them the importance of setting appropriate goals and working towards those goals.  We can teach them appropriate uses of time.  We can teach them that no one owes them anything unless they work for it.

                Dave Ramsey said that he had received “so much negative and ignorant response” from the first time he posted this list, that he felt he “needed to respond and teach” by adding some commentary.  He stated that for the past two decades, his “company has taught people what the Bible says about money:  getting on a plan...; getting out of debt…; living on less than you make…; saving money and thereby building wealth…; being generous and remembering God owns it all….  We teach living like no one else so that later you can live and GIVE like no one else.  Our lessons are about getting your family under control financially so you can take care of your own household first.  We also teach the importance of giving no matter where you are in the process, first with tithing and then with extraordinary generosity when you’re able.  We have always taught that responsible generosity is the natural walk for a believer.  Anyone who has attended our courses or read our work knows this is a fact.

                “In addition to that, I have railed on things where the poor are oppressed in our culture – things like payday lending, rent-to-own, or our own government-sponsored oppression, the lottery….

                “This list simply says your choices cause results.  You reap what you sow….

                “There is a direct correlation between your habits, choices and character in Christ and your propensity to build wealth in non-third-world settings….

                “Biblically speaking, poverty is caused and perpetuated primarily by some combination of three things:  1) Personal habits, choices and character; 2) Oppression by people taking advantage of the poor; [and] 3) The myriad of problems encountered if born in a third-world economy.

                “The third-world economy is and should be a whole different discussion.  If you are broke or poor in the U.S. or a first-world economy, the only variable in the discussion you can personally control is YOU.  You can make better choices and have better results….

                “One of the main reasons our culture has prospered is because of our understanding and application of biblical truths.  Bible-believing Christians believe in sowing and reaping -- what the world calls cause and effect – as well as in God’s sovereignty and providence.  The scientific method you should have learned in seventh-grade science class is based on sowing and reaping (cause and effect).  Bible-believing Christians understand God has called us to have an impact, to take dominion, on our environment, and logic follows that our habits, choices and character have consequences and harvests.  For over 200 years, that belief system has led to life-changing industry, inventions and a standard of living never known before on this planet.  This is not hate; on the contrary, it is love….”

                Our nation and world need adults who know how to take care of their own needs without expecting others to do it for them.  In order for adults to be responsible citizens, we must teach the rising generation how to become responsible citizens and to pay their own way.  When our children and youth grow to adulthood with this understanding, then our families, communities, and nations are strengthened.

The Why of Adversity

                We can bring the greatest of all liberties into our individual lives by living true and correct principles.  This liberty comes to us as we learn to live as though Jesus Christ were walking beside us.  We gain this freedom as we invite the Holy Ghost into our lives.

                  The liberty principle for today is the eleventh in a series of true principles suggested by Elder Richard G. Scott in his book

21 Principles – Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit.  I will merely introduce the principle and suggest that you obtain Elder Scott’s book in order to truly understand this principle.  Elder Scott explained that principles “are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances.  A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and challenging circumstances.”  You can see principle #1 “True Principles of Freedom” here, principle #2 “Trust the Holy Ghost” here,  principle #3 “Try New Things” here,  principle #4 “Accept Promptings” here, principle #5 “Decisions Determine Destiny” here, principle #6 “Accept God’s Will” here, principle #7 “Power Limited” here, principle #8 “Discerning Answers” here, principle #9 “Mentors Help” here,  and Principle #10 “Internalize Principles” here.  

                   Principle #11 is the simple fact that adversity is a necessary part of life in order for us to grow and develop properly.  Elder Scott taught, “Although it may not be a welcome insight, the truth is that you will grow more rapidly through challenge and trial than from a life of ease and serenity with no disturbing elements.  The intent of your Father in Heaven is to lift you from where you are to where He knows you will have eternal purpose and unspeakable happiness.  By using the talents, abilities, and latent capacities you developed in the premortal existence, He will lead you through growth experiences here on earth.  When faced squarely and lived fully without complaint, they will raise you to glorious heights of accomplishment and service.  To do all of that during the brief period you are on earth is a tremendous challenge.  To accelerate your growth and attainment in his plan for you, sometimes He employs a pattern described on the label of some medicines:  `Shake well before using.’

                   “Such shaking comes through stirring challenges and stretching tests.  You likely have encountered some already.  You undoubtedly will encounter others.  They may come in the form of an accident, the conferral of a great responsibility, or a move that dramatically changes your surroundings and circle of trusted friends.  You may begin educational or professional pursuits that prove far more demanding than anticipated.  Perhaps personal illness, handicaps, or the death of a loved one puts seeming barriers in your path.  In truth they are more likely giant steps intended to lift you to higher levels of understanding and accomplishment.  How these challenges are confronted is critically important to your happiness and personal growth now and forever” (pp. 53-54).

                When faced with adversity we should search our lives to discover if our own behavior is the source of the adversity.  If we are causing our own problems, we need merely change our behavior.  If the adversity is not a result of our behavior, we can assume that we are being tested.

                President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency counseled, “With all the differences in our lives, we have at least one challenge in common.  We all must deal with adversity.  There may be periods, sometimes long ones, when our lives seem to flow with little difficulty.  But it is in the nature of our being human that comfort gives way to distress, periods of good health come to an end, and misfortunes arrive….

                “My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity.  The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love.  God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life.  Then our spirits will be changed.  We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life” (“Adversity,” Liahona, May 2009).  

                Adversity is actually a blessing that is not recognized until it is conquered.  Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He allows us to be tested and strengthened.  President James E. Faust, then second counselor in the First Presidency, shared his feelings about adversity.  “Many in today’s generation have not fully known nor appreciated the refining blessings of adversity.  Many have never been hungry because of want.  Yet I am persuaded that there can be a necessary refining process in adversity that increases our understanding, enhances our sensitivity, makes us more Christlike….

                “In life we all have our times of testing and growth.  These trials are necessary.  They are growth experiences.  Though they are times of deep anguish and suffering, they are also times to draw near to God.  The suffering of the Savior in Gethsemane was without question the greatest that has ever come to mankind, yet out of it came the greatest good in the promise of eternal life” (“The Blessings of Adversity,” Ensign, February 2009).  

                The “trial, disappointments, sadness, and heartache” of adversity come to us from “two basically different sources” according to Elder Scott.  “Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges.  The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing.  It is vitally important for each of us to identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the corrective action is very different.”

                The correction for the first source – transgression of the commandments of God – is repentance, “the only path to permanent relief.”  The second type of adversity comes from God and is “the testing that a wise Heavenly Father determines is needed even when you are living a worthy, righteous life and are obedient to His commandments… (p. 54).

                “True enduring happiness with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the most challenging difficulties comes from a life centered in Jesus Christ.  Obedience to His teachings provides a sure foundation upon which to build.  That takes effort.  There is no guarantee of overnight results, but there is absolute assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and emptiness will be filled…” (p. 56).

                I have experienced many different kinds of adversity, and I would not have asked for any of them.  I have learned, however, that adversity helps me to grow and to climb to a higher level.  I have also learned to ask “what can I learn from this experience” instead of “why me.”  I suppose the best question we can ask is “why did the Lord allow this affliction to come into my life at this time and what does He want me to learn from it.”

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.

War on Christ

                Liberals are hard at work in their attempt to take Christ out of Christmas.  They apparently do not understand that the word Christmas actually means Christ Mass or Mass for Christ.  I guess they have a difficult time fathoming that Jesus Christ is the reason why we celebrate Christmas and that we celebrate Christmas by celebrating the birth of Christ – plus everything He did on earth and in heaven for us.  How can we truly celebrate Christmas if we do not even mention Christ?  When we celebrate birthdays, we give the birthday person a place of honor and respect, and we do this by calling them by name and by honoring and respecting them as a person.  Why is it so difficult to do this for Christ?

                When this war on Christ began, the liberals insisted we say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” in order that we not offend non-Christians.  Then we could not sing Christmas hymns in schools because they think it negates the separation of church and state.  Now they want to delete the very essence of Christ from the Christmas season. 

                One indicator of this war is the fact that few stores carry Nativity sets this year.  I had not realized there was a problem because I have not been in the market for more Nativity sets, but numerous friends have reported that they could not find any Nativity scenes.  Along this same idea, I asked at the Post Office for the Nativity stamps, but the clerk did not understand what I meant.  She showed me the available stamps; when I pointed to the Nativity one, she called it the “religious stamp.”

                A second indicator is the ESPN rejection of a public service announcement, a television spot from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation that mentions the birth of Christ.  There was such an uproar on social media that the sports network was forced to reverse their decision.

                A third indicator of the commercialization of Christmas in our culture is the decision by Epcot and Disneyland parks to eliminate the “One Solitary Life” essay from the “Candlelight Processional.  The essay was written by Dr. James Allan Francis in 1926.  It describes the details of Christ’s life and death as well as his historical importance; it has been a part of the processional since 1976.  According to Disney, they were forced to eliminate the essay because of “time constraints”; in other words, the essay was taken out of the processional in order for the cast and crew to have time to properly prepare for the three back-to-back performances each night during the holiday season.  Apparently, they considered the essay about Christ to be the least important part of the processional, something that could be deleted without causing any problems.

                A fourth indicator is the caving of Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, to one complaint --you read that right, one complaint – about a Nativity scene on base.  Within minutes after it was erected, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a radical anti-Christian organization, complained that it violated the Constitution, and it was taken down within two hours of the complaint.  The Pentagon recommended that the Nativity scene be displayed on chapel grounds or as “part of a larger secular or multicultural display on base.” 

                Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, commented on the situation:  “It is truly a sad state of affairs when a demilitarized zone has to be created on an Air Force Base for Baby Jesus.  The events in the Air Force alone show that this is much more than a war on Christmas; this is a war on the freedom of religious expression.”

                What can we do to keep Christ in Christmas?  We certainly must keep Him in our personal and family celebration of His birth.  We can play the sacred Christmas hymns in our homes.  We can continue to say “Merry Christmas” even though other people say “Happy Holidays.”  We can send Christ-centered Christmas cards – and we can even mail them with a “religious” stamp.  We can also make our voice heard when companies and other organizations try to force Christ out of Christmas.  Remember, it was only one complaint that took the Nativity down at Shaw Air Force Base!  We are literary fighting a war for Christ; as Christians we must stand steadfast and immovable in defense of Christ!