I am so excited to speak to you today! Thank you for making the time to be here. It is so fun to look out and see your faces and feel of your spirit.
As we approach the Christmas season, my heart is full of gratitude for the gift of our precious Savior. Christmas is a very special time of the year! Each Christmas season offers us an opportunity to step away from our regular routines and celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It prompts us to share the good news of His birth and our Heavenly Father’s gift to this world.
When the Savior was on the Earth, He experienced several different seasons of His life. As a newborn babe in Bethlehem, He came in fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah, Nephi, and many other prophets who foretold of His birth. In Luke, we read how His birth brought peace and hope to a troubled time. An angel made the announcement to shepherds in the field saying: “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.” [1]
Once the shepherds had visited the young child, they too shared their excitement with others and gave thanks: “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” [2]
Even though the birth of the Savior was a time of much rejoicing, there were also some immediate challenges that came early in His life as His young family was forced to flee out of the land for safety. Matthew records the warning: “Behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.” [3]
Like most children, in His early years , the Savior experienced seasons of growth and learning. In Luke 2:52 we read, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” [4] This simple verse shows a time in the Savior’s life where He was progressing in all areas—mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. The Savior grew in learning and knowledge as He was taught by His Heavenly Father and Mary and Joseph on this earth. The scriptures also indicate that Jesus was trained in Joseph’s trade as a carpenter and laborer. [5] He was diligent, hard-working, and perfect in keeping the commandments. He found joy in His mission to share the gospel with others.
Later in His ministry , He shared the gospel freely with the multitudes and also in quiet, very personal moments with others according to their needs and understanding. He loved and taught and was an example to all. Even through times of struggle under the weight of His commission to fulfill all righteousness and the heaviness of the sins of this world, He reached out to His Father for succor and support and was strengthened. His light and example are truly a gift to all of us and we revere and honor Him at this special time of year!
Today, I want to speak about the seasons of our lives and how we can be influenced and improved as we draw near to the Savior and His teachings. By “seasons of our lives,” I am referring to certain eras we have in this journey through mortality.
Each of us is currently experiencing a “season” of our life. Our current season may resemble the season and challenges of those around us or it may seem a little different for us than for others. Some of us may be new to this higher education journey; others may be more experienced. Some may be returning to school for additional skills or to finish what was started long ago; others still may be alumni, employees, or friends of BYU-Idaho. Whatever your season of life, I testify that our Heavenly Father loves you and is aware of your strengths, your joys, your struggles, and your needs. He is ready to bless and teach you so you can become the person He knows you can be.
Generations of my family have been blessed by their seasons of learning here in Rexburg. First, in 1916, my grandmother Margurette attended Ricks Academy for parts of two years. Her schooling must have been a great blessing for her as she had mostly been taught at home by her father due to a childhood illness. This picture shows the graduating class in the year she started at the academy. There was only one main building at that time on campus. It is fun to think about what her experience might have been, what trials she may have faced, and how her testimony may have grown as a young adult on campus in the early 1900s.
Second, my mother and father attended Ricks College in the 60s. She was part of the second nursing class to ever graduate from Ricks College. He was a farm kid taking classes. They met on a double date while at school. My mom was on the date with my dad’s older brother, but she soon fell for my dad. They have been married now for 56 years!
Fast forward a little to 2009. I was blessed to study at BYU-Idaho to earn my bachelor’s degree as a part-time student and single mother of two. I was caring for my family while working full-time and taking classes. A few months before graduation, I had a surprise proposal while working in the Financial Aid Office here on campus. It is a beautiful memory for our family, and Rob and I have now been married for almost 10 years!
Most recently, three of our children have also been blessed to learn at BYU-Idaho as students.
Each person I mentioned had a season of learning on this campus with the opportunity to build his or her skills and testimony. Each experience was unique, very personal, and included some challenges along the way. I know that prayers were offered, and spiritual lessons were learned during those times. The skills that were gained and the testimonies that were strengthened during those seasons continue to bless my family today and into the future.
What does this season of learning look like for you? What stories of learning and faith will you share with your children and grandchildren that will bless their lives? What legacy are you building today?
Each season of our lives is a part of our experience on this earth and the plan of our loving Heavenly Father. In Abraham 3, the Lord shares His purpose in creating the earth for His children: “And we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; . . . and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.” [6] If we allow the Lord to become a bigger part of our lives and keep His commandments, He can use these “seasons” to help us grow in wisdom and personal ability while building and strengthening our testimonies.
In Ecclesiastes 3, we read: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” [7] There are a few things that stand out to me in these verses. First, I love the phrase “there is . . . a time to every purpose under the heaven.” The seasons of our lives are full of opportunity! They allow the Lord to accomplish the purposes of heaven and “prove [us] herewith.” [8] He can teach us sacred and spiritual truths and offer us the opportunity to use our agency for good.
Second, “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” reminds me that growth in each season of our lives also requires effort on our part. Some seasons require significantly more effort than others, especially if we are facing challenges. Even though our most challenging seasons tend to produce the most growth, discouragement can creep in at times and stop our progress because we do not always see immediate results from our efforts. Sometimes growth and refinement take time. Let me explain.
About a month ago, we experienced the harvest season in Idaho. Now imagine if a farmer were to plant a field in the spring, water and fertilize it, and then come back in one week or two expecting to harvest the crop. What quality of crop would there be to harvest? In contrast, if the farmer shows consistent effort and the patience to water, fertilize, and protect his crop throughout the growing season, eventually he will be blessed with an abundant crop to share.
Just as a beautiful ripe crop takes a regular growing season, it takes time for us to learn and grow through the challenges of life. Spiritual and temporal progress usually require a marked effort and patience on our part. If we accept the Lord’s timing to teach us important truths and help us overcome our challenges, the resulting lessons we learn can enrich our lives and help us to care for others. When we put in the work, the Lord can magnify our effort to help us to achieve more than we could ever hope to accomplish on our own. After all, He knows our strengths and weaknesses and can use our seasons to shape us if we trust in Him and allow Him to guide our lives.
The writer of Ecclesiastes continues in verse 4, with, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” [9] What I noticed in this verse was that “a time to weep” and “a time to mourn”—both expressions of sorrow—are followed by “a time to laugh” and “a time to dance”—both expressions of joy. To me, it is a small reminder that we can look forward to and hope for better times and renewed joy through the Savior when we experience seasons of suffering or sorrow.
The Lord can accomplish His purposes in the seasons of our lives. So, how do we allow Him to influence and improve us during each season of our life? I would suggest four steps to come closer to Him: learn of Him, show gratitude, give service, and share the gospel.
First, make time to learn of Him and listen to the Spirit. We live in a very busy time with an enormous amount of distraction. In addition to our day-to-day responsibilities, all types of media surround us and clamor for our attention. In the most recent general conference, President Russell M. Nelson shared the following counsel:
We set our own priorities and determine how we use our energy, time, and means. . . . I plead with you today to counter the lure of the world by making time for the Lord in your life—each and every day. If most of the information you get comes from social or other media, your ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit will be diminished. If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. . . . My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always. Never underestimate the profound truth that “the Spirit speaketh . . . of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” It will show unto you all things what ye should do. [10]
We draw closer to the Lord by making time daily to pray and study. Regular study of the teachings of ancient and modern prophets teaches us truths and allows us to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide us. Consistent study and prayer will strengthen our testimonies and our ability to recognize and be taught by the Spirit. The Spirit can then teach us truths that allow us to progress and help others.
Second, recognize the blessings of the Lord in your life and show gratitude. Whatever your season or situation, the Lord is constantly working His small miracles in your life. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Amulek counsels the people: “That ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.” [11] If we take time to humble ourselves, we can better recognize His influence and blessings in our lives. When we express gratitude to Him through our words and actions, we feel His Spirit and strengthen our resolve to keep the commandments and follow His teachings. We feel the love of our Heavenly Father and better understand our divine potential and purpose in this life.
I love this thought from President Thomas S Monson: “This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who [can] help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.” [12]
Third, seek out opportunities to serve and show love to those around us. The Savior was a great example of service and showing love and care to those in need. In one of my favorite hymns we sing,
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today. [13]
Service doesn’t have to be something grand; it can be simple things for family members, friends, and neighbors. In last week’s devotional, Brother Shawn Andreasen explained that it is often other people who help us through the trials of life. When we pray to know who to serve, God can lead us to those in need and “[our] own struggles will become easier to bear.” [14] We emulate the love of the Savior by ministering to others according to their needs and doing our best to fulfill our church callings. These small acts of service connect us to the Savior and help us to better understand His love for all of Heavenly Father’s children.
Fourth, find opportunities to share your testimony and the restored gospel with others. The Book of Mormon was brought forth in our day “to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” [15] What a blessing to live in a time and season where we can have the knowledge of the gospel, make covenants with the Lord, repent when we make mistakes, and not be cast off forever! What a blessing to know of our Heavenly Father’s plan—that Jesus is the Christ and Redeemer of all nations and has provided the way to return to our Father!
Look for opportunities to share this good news; there are people all around right now that need to hear it. Some of them may even be close friends or family members who are unsure of their own role in His plan. Like the Savior in His ministry, we may have opportunities to share the gospel in quiet personal conversations or to the multitudes as we accept the challenge to share our faith on social media and other public platforms.
On this week’s discussion board, I asked the question: “How has this season of your life increased your testimony and brought you closer to the Savior?” Thank you for your insightful comments! Here are a couple I wanted to share: Dominick Biggs wrote, “This season of my life is filled with a special warmth because I recognize that He continues to work with me. He wants the best for me and wants me to see the best in me.” Lark Montgomery shared how her burdens have been made lighter during this season of life. She wrote, “I wish I could see the Savior, just for a moment, and give Him a big hug and say thanks.”
As we celebrate the Savior’s birth this Christmas season, may we choose to keep Him in our hearts and allow His gospel and example to penetrate this and every season of our lives. Whatever our situation, we can create a legacy of faith and find unity in our love of and desire to serve the Savior. I pray that we may allow His Spirit to lift and shape us, guide us through our challenges, and comfort and protect us from the perils of this world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Luke 2:10–14.
[2] Luke 2:17, 20.
[3] Matthew 2:13–14.
[4] Luke 2:52.
[5] Mark 6:3.
[6] Alma 3:24–26.
[7] Ecclesiastes 3:1–2.
[8] Abraham 3:24–26.
[9] Ecclesiastes 3:4.
[10] Russell M. Nelson, “Make Time for the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 2021.
[11] Alma 34:38.
[12] Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” Ensign, Feb. 2000.
[13] “Have I Done Any Good?,” Hymns, no. 223.
[14] Shawn Andreasen, “Sure Provisions,” BYUI devotional, Nov. 23, 2021.
[15] “Title Page,” Book of Mormon.