Testimonies
“Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances”, April 2014 General Conference)
This life is temporary and the resurrection makes death not be permanent.
Helaman 10
13 But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah.
14 Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.
15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
What does it mean to receive the Holy Ghost?
-John 16:7-8
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
- What does it mean to reprove?
To formally point out an error or wrongdoing, often with the intent to correct or admonish.
Alma 42:8
8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
Sunday School
It will take us a lifetime to comprehend all that God has revealed.
How many children have died before the age of accountability and will inherit the celestial kingdom. Out of the 70 billion that ever lived on the earth how many billions are children that will inherit the celestial kingdom?
God is merciful and wants to save all His children as much as they allow him.
Moses 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
First Presidency Christmas Devotional
President Susan H. Porter, “The Everlasting Light”
Luke 2:4–5
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“Think with me about the young wife, Mary, alongside her caring husband, Joseph, traveling along the dusty road to Bethlehem, not knowing where they will stay or when her Son will be born.
“Now, add to this thought events taking place halfway around the world. There, in the land of Zarahemla on the American continent, a group of believers is sorrowing while they “watch steadfastly” for the sign of the Savior’s birth, which was prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite to be a day and a night and a day without darkness, for if the sign was not given, all the believers would be put to death.”
3 Nephi 1
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
“Can you imagine what that meant to the believers, to those who had longed for, lived for, and prayed for the fulfillment of this prophecy? Surely, they rejoiced! What a powerful witness that Jesus Christ came to earth to save all who will believe on His name. The sun had set, but the sky was filled with light.”
John 8:12
12 ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
“During our lives there will be times when the sun may go down on our hopes and dreams. The sun may go down when we experience loss or physical and emotional challenges. But because Jesus Christ came to earth and rose on the third day, triumphant over sin and death, there will be no permanent darkness at the going down of the sun. We can seek and find His life-giving light.”
“We, too, can then go on our way, ‘glorifying and praising God for all [we have] heard and seen.’”
“I bear my witness that Jesus Christ came to earth to bring joy and hope as He lights our way home.”
President Timothy L. Farnes,
Abraham 3:27
27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.
“I think of His Resurrection, His glorious victory over death.
“And then I ask myself, ‘Am I accepting the gift He so joyfully offers?’ I have pondered that question many times”
“Our devotion to Jesus Christ is not like a school project that we turn in, hoping for a perfect score. Jesus Christ is the only perfect person, and His is the only perfect life. As we seek to improve, we turn to Him, and it’s not in a spirit of ‘I did it!’ or ‘I earned it!’ or ‘I arrived!’ but rather ‘I accept.’
“Of course, we want to live in a way that’s acceptable to the Lord. We naturally hope that He accepts our offering. But just as important—or perhaps more so—is the question ‘Do I accept His?’”
“Just as His sacrifice for us was voluntary, He wants us to accept it voluntarily.”
“lesson: It isn’t enough just to be in the same general area as the Savior. It’s not enough to be slightly tilted in His direction, or next to someone who is close to Him. To fully accept Christ’s gift, we each need to fully turn toward Him.”
“discover the joy of daily repentance.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022)
“I testify that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly and lovingly and joyfully gave His life as a precious gift so that you and I can be healed, redeemed, and exalted.”
“I testify that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly and lovingly and joyfully gave His life as a precious gift so that you and I can be healed, redeemed, and exalted. I pray that we will each fully turn to Jesus Christ and accept His gift—this Christmas, and every day of our lives.”
President Jeffrey R Holland, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
“This Christmas, may I invite each of you to be, however briefly, a family for someone who is otherwise alone.”
“Perhaps this Christmas we can bless the life of someone who is still temporarily alone in a manner that makes them feel for a moment or for a meal or for an afternoon that they have been able to make it home for Christmas.”
President Henry B Eyring, “The Gift of Kindness”
“As we reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, His earthly ministry, and His glorious Atonement and Resurrection, we feel closer to Him. We feel of His kindness, majesty, and love.”
“Through the Savior’s willingness to ‘[descend] below all things,’ as requirements of His infinite Atonement, Jesus Christ offered the perfect gift and expression of love and hope.”
John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
“As we consider these eternal gifts provided to us from the Father and the Son, we may wonder how our own gifts we share this Christmas season can appropriately reflect our devotion and gratitude to Them. I humbly declare that perhaps the most meaningful way to accomplish this worthy endeavor is by giving simple gifts of kindness to those we love. As we are kind and serve each other as the Savior would, even in the smallest of ways, we can become a channel of God’s grace to help those in our circle of influence feel the Savior’s love and hope”
Luke 19:5
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
John 8:11
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
3 Nephi 17:7
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
“As we each follow the Savior’s example of kindness during this special season, it can be done in many ways—service, charity, love, compassion, and forgiveness.”
“This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. … Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.” (Howard W. Hunter, “The Gifts of Christmas” (First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 1994)
“I promise as we are prayerful and as we open our hearts and minds to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will direct us to find someone that He loves perfectly, who needs our kindness during this holiday season.”
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
“Try to show kindness in all that you do.
“Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
“For these are the things Jesus taught.” (“I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 78.)
