While prayerfully contemplated what I should say to a group of relatively young people, along with some others who are relatively speaking, a little more mature, I considered a host of topics that I felt might be appropriate and that would be in line with what the Lord might have me say. For me, some topics are easier to approach and prepare for than others. Fortunately, I realize and fully believe that the responsibility I have to serve something to you that will be spiritually nourishing, is probably equal to your responsibility to come to the table spiritually hungry. I have done my part to prepare properly and to have the spirit. If you have come similarly prepared, we will both be edified and will rejoice together. Hopefully, it won’t be simply rejoicing that we got through an uncomfortable ordeal, alive! I would also remind you that the things which come to your mind by the power of the Holy Ghost are most significant for you. I have had some of those feelings as I have been preparing this address. It has been good for me to be taught. I’m grateful that we share in this learning and teaching responsibility. That should sound vaguely, and really, not so vaguely familiar. Does it sound like the learning model to you, or am I just imagining this?
In considering on what I should speak, I was drawn to two verses in the Book of Mormon that have always given me direction when it comes to preparing a talk: Alma 7:7 – where Alma speaks to a faithful group of saints who lived in a city called Gideon. These saints must have been similar in spiritual make up to those of you gathered here today. These were, generally speaking, members of the Church of Christ who were making an effort to keep the commandments of God. Alma clearly illustrated the difference between these striving saints in Gideon and some of those members of the Church in Zarahemla who were struggling and to whom his counsel was much more of a warning and a call to repentance. He counseled the members in Gideon to continue to repent as needed and always strive to do better. Because of the spiritual preparation of the people, Alma was able to teach them some very plain and powerful doctrines. He said: “For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all – for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.”[1] This message from Alma was given around 80 B.C., therefore, he spoke of the birth and ministry of Christ, who would come in the near future. Of all the topics upon which Alma could have spoken which may have been most beneficial, he felt that prophesying and testifying of the Redeemer was the most important principle to teach these good people.
Jacob asked a most significant question and gave prophetic commentary in Jacob 4:12-13. This question is one we should all contemplate regularly. It is the same scriptural question which was quoted frequently by a beloved Apostle of the Lord, now in the Spirit World, Elder Neal A. Maxwell. It is interesting to me to consider some of the topics upon which Elder Maxwell spent so much time. Many of his Conference talks were on the topic of Discipleship and Submitting to the Will of the Lord. At his funeral, he was described by President Boyd K. Packer as “the most Christ-like person I have ever known”. Elder Maxwell was a great example of someone who possessed and tried to continually improve upon his love for and devotion to the Savior and His gospel. It is no wonder that he often quoted these thoughts of Jacob: “And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come? . . . for the Sprit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.”[2] I would add that the importance of the life of Christ and His atonement is continually before our eyes through the words of ancient and modern prophets, through the ordinances and covenants of the gospel, and clearly, through the whisperings of the Spirit and sometimes through the not so still and small voice of the Holy Ghost. We also know that “all things are created and made to bear record of [Christ].” [3]
I have been curious as to why some of our acquaintances and even friends have felt that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not Christians. I thought a Christian was one who believed in and worship the Savior and who tried to live the kind of life he taught in both word and deed. I have always felt deeply blessed to have a solid, living testimony of Jesus Christ and a humble gratitude for his magnificent life and atonement for me. I am bold enough to suggest that I have even tried to live a Christ-like life.
On one occasion I asked a man, a minister in another faith, why he felt we were not Christians. His reply somewhat shocked and saddened me. He said that we were not Christians because we did not teach the concept of Christ as found in the Bible. I was surprised to hear that some people feel that we don’t believe in, what they consider to be the “true” Christ. As many of you know, President Gordon B. Hinckley, in the October 2007 General Conference[4] made clear the unique teachings of this Church regarding the nature of the Godhead. Though we may differ from other faiths about what the Father and the Son are like, there can be no question at all as to how we feel about the absolute necessity of a Savior and Redeemer. 2 Nephi 25: 23-29 expresses the sentiments of each faithful member of this Church in relation to our dependence on, our love for and our sacred faith in, Jesus Christ. As expressed by Nephi, this is what I know is taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the importance of Jesus Christ:
“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away. And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law. And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.”
I don’t know of anyone who has given a more powerful testimony of Christ, who loved or loves the Savior more, and who worked so hard at being joyfully obedient to the commandments than the great prophet Nephi. I am certain that there are many, many men and women of God who feel just as strongly about the Savior as did Nephi. I love those words of Nephi and I bear testimony that we truly do talk of Christ, we truly rejoice in Christ, we always (or should always) preach of Christ, and we honestly, with all sincerity and with complete confidence, borne to us through the power of the Holy Ghost, prophesy of Christ. Prophesying is not confined to predicting future events, but it is testifying to others that Christ is literally and actually the Living Son of the Living God. And I so testify to you that what I have said and the words I have quoted are true. If ever there were a people on the earth who should understand the mission, characteristics and power of the Savior, Jesus Christ, it should be members of His Church, restored to the earth in the dispensation of the fulness of times through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
I wish we had time to more fully discuss some of the attributes of this perfect being, “the firstborn of every creature”,[5] as the Apostle Paul taught, and thus our Elder Brother. Knowing of Christ’s pre-mortal stature and spirit birth helps us to better understand the symbolism of the term “firstborn”. This term is used regularly in the scriptures, identifying the son who was to take the leadership and protective role of the family, as well as become the patriarch at the death of his father. This is the son who was given a double portion of the inheritance, not because he was so much more intelligent and wise than other family members (though Jesus is more intelligent and wise), but so that he would have the means to help all family members to live temporally and spiritually.
The scriptures teach that the saints who serve with great faithfulness have eternal life and “dwell in his presence”. This group of people is known as the Church of the Firstborn who “see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fullness and of his grace.”[6] The role of the firstborn has powerful ramifications. Think about Joseph of Egypt. He was given the birthright and was the firstborn son of Jacob and Rachel. He received a double portion and leadership responsibility. The responsibility to care for and “gather” the rest of his family in the last days, has been given primarily to the descendants of his two sons - Ephraim and Manasseh. You may be acquainted with those names. Those who are of those tribes are to lead out in the gathering of Israel in the latter days.[7] The descendants of Joseph are responsible for taking care of the rest of the family of Israel. They must know who they really are and we must tell them. We call that missionary work.
I wish we could speak of the Savior’s relationship to the “Father of spirits”[8] and how he always gave deference, credit and glory to the Father.
I wish we could contemplate the pardoning power of Christ and His forgiving nature. He is just, but justice is not necessarily always harsh. It is fair. Yet, as President J. Rueben Clark, Jr. once said: "I feel that [the Lord] will give that punishment which is the very least that our transgression will justify. . . . I believe that when it comes to making the rewards for our good conduct, he will give the maximum that is possible to give."[9] I am eternally grateful for a Savior and Friend who will judge me in that way.
I wish we could discuss the Light of Christ and how this power, proceeding from the presence of God, filling the immensity of space, is “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed”, which gives us light ‘through him who enlighteneth [our] eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth [our] understandings.”[10] This is the same power we often refer to as the Spirit of Christ, “which giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit . . . everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.”[11] Elder Richard G. Scott describes the light of Christ this way: "The Light of Christ . . . provide[s] . . . guidance. It gives light and life to all things. It prompts all individuals throughout the earth to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong. The Light of Christ is not a person. It is a power and influence that comes from God our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, and, when followed, can lead a person to qualify for the more definitive guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."[12]
I had hoped to consider in more depth, the condescension of God. You will recall that in Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life he was asked, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi said, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things”. Nephi was then shown the future birth of Jesus and understood. He understood that our Savior was a member of the Godhead in pre-mortality. He was the creator, under his Father’s direction, of worlds without number. This God, the King of Kings would come down from his lofty and holy status to a telestial world, be born into a stable and experience all the vicissitudes of this life – all in an effort to save us, to help us to be happy and to have the opportunity for eternal life. I have never seen a picture of the nativity with a dirty, filthy stable. I have been in many stables and even the cleanest of them all is not a place for any child to be born, let alone the Savior of the World. This is a glimpse of what the condescension of God is all about.
Finally, I wish we could even begin a discussion about the atoning sacrifice of the Lord and Savior of us all, and the blessings that can come to us as a result. Though we do not completely comprehend the atonement of Christ, we walk with faith and exercise faith toward Him who is the “object of [our] faith, even the salvation of our souls.”[13] Amulek called it an infinite and eternal atonement (Alma 34:8-14). I have wondered about the meaning of an infinite and eternal atonement. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Now our Lord’s jurisdiction and power extend far beyond the limits of this one small earth on which we dwell. He is, under the Father, the Creator of worlds without number (Moses 1:33). And . . . the atonement of Christ, being literally and truly infinite, applies to an infinite number of earths.” [14] President Marion G. Romney said, ”Jesus Christ . . . is the Lord of the whole universe. Except for his mortal ministry accomplished on this earth, His service and relationship to other worlds and their inhabitants are the same as His service and relationship to this earth and its inhabitants.”[15] Even with these statements, my finite mind continues to struggle to understand the infinite and eternal atonement. It truly humbles me to think that with all the Savior has suffered and with all the souls He desires to save, He is cognizant of a Larry Thurgood among all His infinite creations and is just as gracious and desirous of my salvation as He is for the salvation of anyone else!
The Savior spoke to the Nephites disciples sometime after His resurrection and appearance to them in the western hemisphere. He answered some questions and then gave them this charge: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be: Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”[16] He commanded us to be perfect “even as I”, said Jesus, “or your Father who is in heaven, is perfect.”[17] We are taught that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”[18] The Lord spoke to Joseph Smith and gave a slightly different version of this New Testament verse: “This is eternal lives – to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he.”[19] There should be no question that He who speaks to us in celestial terms requires us, the children of God, to become what it was intended for us to become. John, the Revelator, the beloved, tells us “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”[20] To “know” the Father and to “be like Christ” are phrases that describe what we must become to enjoy that association. It is much more than an acquaintanceship or knowing about the Father and the Son –who they are; it is voluntarily desiring and obeying and learning to be as they are. It is to be comfortable in their presence. It is to be clean before them and to be holy through the atonement of Christ.
In our natural man condition, our fallen and telestial state, we might wonder how this could ever be, for knowing “the only true God” and being “like him” will require not only our best effort, but much, much more than we can ever give on our own. You will remember that we saved by grace, “after all we can do”. But the word grace is often misunderstood. The Bible Dictionary gives an enlightening definition of this sacred word, and much hope: “The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice that mankind will be raised in immortality . . . [and] that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”[21] No wonder it is by grace that we are saved!
I would like to briefly discuss one thing that will keep us in the right way and help us to become exalted and obtain eternal life, meaning, to live in a family relationship in the presence of God and to be like God. There are wonderful sermons contained in the Topical Guide, which we too often neglect. By carefully reviewing and categorizing the references given, we can come to a fuller and richer understanding of the topic. For example, I looked in the Topical Guide under the word, “heart”. I knew there were a lot of scriptural references to the word, heart and hearts, but I didn’t realize just how many. Nor, did I understand the significance of these teachings and the context in which these words are used.
I was curious as to the role our heart plays in relation to obtaining eternal life. After working through a number of references, not only in the Topical Guide, but also by looking at many scriptural references electronically, I created several categories which indicate the significance of the role our hearts play in the process of becoming like Christ and being one with the Lord. There are negative ways in which the condition of our hearts can inhibit our eternal growth, but many positive ways which demonstrate that we are of “one heart and one mind.”[22] with the Lord.
For example, we read about hearts that are hard; those who walk in the pride of their hearts; those for whom God is far from the thoughts and intents of their hearts. Laman and Lemuel complained that their father, Lehi was led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. Now, why would Laman and Lemuel think that the revelations given to their father were “foolish imaginations of his heart”?
Elder Robert J. Whetten, in last week’s devotional quoted from the Doctrine and Covenants and indicated that we receive revelation by the Holy Ghost in our minds and in our hearts.[23] He then said: “The adversary however, will seek to mislead us and will try to use the same channels of communication; our emotions and feelings, as well as wrong thoughts that come into our mind”. I thought that was most interesting. Fortunately, we have some important ways to know the difference between revelation from the Lord and the false communications Satan would have us receive and obey. If we set our hearts upon riches and the corruptible things of this earth instead of upon God we can become blind in our eyes and in our hearts. The symbolism of a blind heart is similar to the symbolism of a hard heart. We typically associate feeling and emotion with the heart. But our feelings can be incorrect and come from the wrong source if our eyes are not single to the glory of God; we must focus and concentrate on Him who brings light and life into our lives. It shouldn’t be surprising that Laman and Lemuel were “past feeling, that [they] could not feel his words.”[24]
Another category of scriptural references teaches that many of the prophets “sorrowed” in their hearts, almost universally because of the wickedness of the very people they were trying to turn to the Lord. In nearly all of the references I reviewed, a sorrowing heart was the result of sadness that comes when loved ones stray and especially when they won’t repent. There are also times when our hearts may sorrow because our lives are not in harmony with what we know is right. Even the great prophet Nephi sorrowed because of his sins. He said: My heart sorroweth because of my flesh” and “my heart groaneth because of my sins.”[25] I am certain that the more our lives conform to celestial law, the more we recognize imperfections in our lives and desire to rid ourselves of something that slows our eternal progression. My own view is that Nephi felt sinful because he was angry with his brothers who were trying to kill him. Now, most of us wouldn’t really feel guilty for having anger toward those who were trying to harm us, but then, most of us are probably not living quite as close to the celestial law as Nephi. The righteous see more clearly what they are as opposed to what they know they should be. I suppose our Father and His Son may sorrow for us at times. We can change that. Maybe some of us can also comprehend, to some degree what a sorrowing heart is like.
We read many instances of those who have a “broken heart and a contrite spirit”. This is the kind of heart we must have to approach our Heavenly Father. It is the kind of heart that feels the truth and yearns for the Spirit. A broken heart is the opposite of a hard heart. It may have been hard at one time, but through repentance and a humble desire to improve one’s life and be better, the hardness has been broken up, allowing for the heavenly, life giving dew of the Spirit to seep into the broken cracks and mend the heart that was so impenetrable and impervious to the quiet enticings of the Lord. A broken heart is a celestial kind of heart.
Another phrase speaks of the condition of being lowly in heart. This suggests meekness and a desire to learn with no pretension of superiority, and with an innocence and openness to do anything the Lord commands. It is a special blessing to be lowly in heart. Christ gives us encouragement to develop this kind of heart when He said; “learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”[26] If Christ has a lowly heart, we should all strive to have one as well.
The scriptures teach us about pure hearts. You will remember that Elder David A. Bednar taught us about clean hands and pure hearts in his last conference address. He said it was possible to have clean hands, but not a pure heart. We can be relatively free from sin and yet not be holy. Holiness and purity of heart must come from the atoning blood of Christ. It is through Him and because of Him that we can be made holy. Of course, the same is true about having clean hands. Repentance is a gift from the Lord. We can receive it and act upon it and He will wash us and cleanse us. Or, we can choose to continue on in a life that is not what it should be and pay the price of our sins by ourselves. Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-19 gives strong encouragement to take advantage of the cleansing and sanctifying power of the atonement.
There are many references showing a close relationship between the act of prayer and the kind of heart that should accompany it. We read of “praying with all our heart”; “with real intent of heart”; with all the energy of heart”; with sincerity of heart, and that we should come unto Christ “with full purpose of heart”. It is in this demonstration of our devotion and trust in God that we can truly think and feel as He does. We can and should pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, but the words we use will not always be our own. There are times when our hearts are so in tune with the Lord that we will ask that which He would have us ask, because we are “praying in the Holy Ghost”[27] as taught by Jude. The Nephite Disciples were praying while the Savior prayed nearby as recorded in 3 Nephi 19. They had prayed for some time “and did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire” (vs. 24). The Doctrine and Covenants illustrates this type of “perfect prayer” as Elder McConkie calls it. “And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done. But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask . . .” (50:29-30). When we are praying “in the Holy Ghost”, our thoughts are divinely inspired. We are truly “one” with the Father, being directed by the Spirit as to what we should say in our prayers. I don’t think this type of prayer is common. We too often have a checklist type of prayer, not really thinking about what we have said until our next prayer. We hope we are all praying a minimum of twice a day. Lest we feel guilty (although a little guilt isn’t too bad if it propels us to action and helps us to improve), I am certain that all prayers offered by the Son of God were completely in tune with the Holy Will of His Father, but we learn from Luke (22:44) that even the Savior, when under the heaviest of all burdens that night in Gethsemane, “being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground”. We can be more earnest and sincere in our prayers and at times we will pray will all the energy of heart. I know I can do better. And in doing so, we will truly become “one” in thought and mind with God.
One last thought about our prayers. Adam (and each of us) was commanded to “do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore”. We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we might say, “The Lord has certainly blessed me” and we wonder, which member of the Godhead is responsible for that blessing. They all are. They are one. They work in harmony. There is no division or jealousy among them. Each member of the Godhead carries the title of God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. This is not unlike the members of the First Presidency. Though President Hinckley is the President of the Church, President Monson is a president and so is President Eyring. It doesn’t matter by what means we were blessed, or from which member of the Godhead that blessing came, but it does matter that we acknowledge that blessing and give heartfelt thanks.
I concluded that there is a scriptural category rejoicing heart; of hearts that are “brim with joy”; hearts that are swollen with thanksgiving; hearts that take courage with the hope that comes of faith; hearts that rejoice and hearts that glory in the Lord. These are the heartfelt feelings expressed by many scriptural heroes, including Captain Moroni in Alma 48. “Yea, [he was] a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people.”[28] This is the kind of heart I want to have.
The scriptures teach about the effect the Lord can have on our hearts. Our wonderful example and friend Nephi said that the Lord “did soften my heart” and that he also softened the heart of Ishmael. Alma the Younger spoke about the “mighty change wrought” in the heart of his father, Alma the Elder. Alma the Younger also asks us a most important question: “if ye have experienced a change of heart, can ye feel so now”? Enoch taught “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness and there was no poor among them”. Alma expressed the desires of his heart when he said, “I wish from the inmost part of my heart, with great anxiety even unto pain that ye would hearken to my words and cast off your sins and not procrastinate repentance”. He also said, “Oh that I were an angel and could have the wish of my heart to go forth and cry repentance unto every people”. If only our hearts were as pure and desirous of doing good and expressing gratitude to the Lord as was Alma’s. I think some of you do have hearts like that and the rest of us are working on it. But keep in mind that through our willingness, the Lord has great power to change our hearts to become like His.
But the Lord has said something else about our hearts; something that he wants from us and something that we may too often hesitate to give completely. It was expressed to the Savior by a certain lawyer who asked the Master, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life”? In response to a question posed by Christ, the lawyer said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself”, to which the Savior responded, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”[29] So, we are to love God with all our hearts. That should not be a surprise to anyone. But notice this mandate from the Lord: “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”[30] He wants our heart – all of it – willingly, gladly, without any hesitation or ulterior motive. Alma taught his son Shiblom (and all of us): “let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever”.
So, how do we get to the point when what we want is exactly what the Lord wants us to want? And when do we get to the point when we seek only to do the will of the Lord – that which pleases Him, that which blesses, not only ourselves, but others? We seek after and follow the Spirit. We clear our lives of that which is unseemly, impure or improper. We pray for and hearken to those promptings which come. How do we know that these impressions are from the Lord and not just our own thinking? Mormon taught: “all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil. . . behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” [31] We can also recognize that a feeling of peace will accompany promptings from the Lord. The Lord said to Oliver Cowdery: “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God.”[32]
Not only can our prayers be precisely what they ought to be, but as we continually strive to overcome the challenges and “sins, which do so easily beset [us]”,[33] and consistently exercise, even a particle of faith by setting our hearts upon God, we begin and continue on in our journey of becoming like Christ. But, remember the priority for the affections of our hearts. President Ezra Taft Benson taught that we should put God first over everything and everyone else in our lives.[34] This does not mean that our parents and family members are way down the list of importance; our families should have a deep and special place in our hearts. But we must not let them take precedence over our love and devotion to God. If we do, we will lose them.
I recognize and fully believe that there is a different spirit about us at this time of year. Yes, it can be stressful as we approach the end of a very swift and concentrated semester of study. But at Christmas time, as President Hinckley expressed in the First Presidency Devotional Sunday evening, there is something a little different about us at this time of year. We feel more disposed to lift and help others. We have desires for the happiness of others, often more than for ourselves. Still, I would hope and pray that the feelings we have in our hearts for the Savior of mankind - that Babe born in Bethlehem who grew into the greatest of all men, would be strong all year long. Worthily and sincerely partaking of the sacred sacrament each week helps us to remember who we are and what the Lord invites us and even requires us to become. Having a sacred and holy House of the Lord in our midst is a symbol of our devotion to God. It is the feeling that he is with us, among us, and that our hearts are and can be eternally entwined with His.
I bear solemn witness that God the Father lives. He is literally our father and we pray to and thank Him for our manifold blessings. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Father. He is the Anointed One. Through the atonement offered to us by the shedding of His most precious and perfect blood, we will not only overcome death, but we can in reality return to the presence of the Father, enjoying exaltation and eternal life with our families. It is through Jesus Christ that we can become what we must become. We have the privilege, but also sacred responsibility of having the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, replete with prophets, scripture, revelation, truth and power. Where much is given, much is required, but what a blessing. I feel in my heart to exclaim with Jacob who rejoiced saying: “O how great the goodness of our God”. May we become “even as [Christ] is, I pray in the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Alma 7:7
[2] Jacob 4:12-13
[3] Moses 6:63
[4] Ensign, November 2007, p. 84
[5] Colossians 1:15
[6] D&C 76:94
[7] Deuteronomy 33:13-17
[8] Hebrews 12:9
[9] J. Rueben Clark, Jr.,"As Ye Sow . . . ", Address delivered at Brigham Young University, 3 May 1955, pp. 7-8
[10] D&C 88: 14, 11
[11] D&C 84: 46-47
[12] Richard G. Scott, "Truth Restored," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 79
[13] JST 1 Peter 1:9
[14] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 65
[15] Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, Nov. 1968, p. 46
[16] 3 Nephi 27:27
[17] 3 Nephi 12:48
[18] John 17:3
[19] D&C 132:24
[20] 1 John 3:2
[21] Bible Dictionary, p. 697
[22] Moses 7:18
[23] D&C 8:2-3
[24] 1 Nephi 17:45
[25] 2 Nephi 4:19
[26] Matthew 11:29
[27] Jude 1:20
[28] Alma 48:12
[29] Luke 10:25-28
[30] D&C 64:34
[31] Moroni 7:12-13
[32] D&C 6:23
[33] 2 Nephi 4:18
[34] Conference Report, April 1988, p.3