We're human beings, not human doings in Life
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
God's Blessings on you today.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
United States Map---Short but good!
A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his
little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States
looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on
which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small
pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room
and see if you can put this together. This will show you our
whole country today.' After a few minutes, Shelby returned and
handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The
father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.
'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of
Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our
country just came together.'
little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States
looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on
which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small
pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room
and see if you can put this together. This will show you our
whole country today.' After a few minutes, Shelby returned and
handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The
father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.
'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of
Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our
country just came together.'
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Seed as Integrity Living Soul
THE SEED...
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.
"It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO," he said. "I have decided to choose one of you."
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.
He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.
Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed. A few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO.
"Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front.
Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.
Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Here is your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed.
I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
"When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"
Moral:
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.
"It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO," he said. "I have decided to choose one of you."
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.
He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.
Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed. A few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO.
"Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front.
Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.
Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Here is your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed.
I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
"When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"
Moral:
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Friday, January 9, 2009
When Not Understand, Ask to "Repeat"
During conversation with people that it is essential to ask when you don't understand. They'll be glad to repeat as a sign that you care for asking when you don't understand.
That is my policy otherwise you are weighing your mind heavily and wonder! It's better to ask that gives you 'clear conscience'!!
If not, it give your hair gray and to your body's ache and gradually old. Ha!
That is my policy otherwise you are weighing your mind heavily and wonder! It's better to ask that gives you 'clear conscience'!!
If not, it give your hair gray and to your body's ache and gradually old. Ha!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
THE SAINTS COMMANDED TO GATHER
THE SAINTS COMMANDED TO GATHER
When the Lord restored his true church to earth through the prophet Joseph Smith, he soon commanded the saints to gather together, out of the wickedness of the world. Since that time he has issued new instructions for the saints to stay in their respective countries and build up the church where they are. Is it possible that he can issue new directions in our day and gather the righteous out of the world before destroying the wicked?
Yes it is, and infact, it has been prophesied that he will.
President Harold B. Lee in his conference talk in April 1948 made the following statement:
It would be well – before the frightening events concerning the fulfillment of all God’s
Promises and predictions are upon us, that the saints in every land prepare themselves and look forward to the instruction that shall come to them from the First Presidency of this church as to where they shall be gathered –
Also in 1 Nephi 17:38 it reads; “And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.”
I don’t know about you, but I think that we live in a very wicked world and the Gadianton Robbers are again leading the majority of the people away from the commandments of our God and destruction awaits us. If he follows his previous examples of separating the righteous from the wicked, he will call the righteous out of their places into an uninhabited place where they can dwell, usually in tents for a time, while he destroys the more wicked ones. Since the wicked won’t obey his command, he has no choice, but to move those who will obey.
Some examples of calling the righteous to a more wholesome place are as follows:
GROUP CURRANT OR IMPENDING DISASTER
Enos Wars and bloodshed, secret combinations
To a “land of promise” Moses 6:17
Enoch Increased wars and bloodshed, secret combinations
Fled to Zion
Noah Destruction of all the wicked by flood
Fled to the Ark
Jaredites Confusion of tongues
Fled to a “land of Promise,” the ancient Americas
Abraham Wickedness in Ur
Fled to Haran to save his life
Lot Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire from heaven
Fled into wilderness/mountains
Israel/Joseph Terrible famine
Fled into Egypt
Moses Slavery under Egyptians
Fled into wilderness
Lehi Destruction of Jerusalem because of wickedness
Fled to wilderness and eventually to “Promised land”
Nephi Destruction at hand of wicked brothers
Fled into wilderness
Mosiah 1 War and wickedness (prophesied by Jacob [Jacob 3:4])
Fled into wilderness, eventually to Zarahelma
2
Mulek Destruction of Jerusalem
Fled to Ancient America
Alma 1 1st time-Destruction at the hands of wicked king Noah
Fled into wilderness
2nd time-Slavery under the hands of Amulon/Lamanites
Fled into wilderness, eventually arrived at Zarahelma
Limhi/Gideon War with the Lamanites
Prepared and then had people flee to defensible city
Righteous of Ammonihah Complete destruction of the city by the Lamanites in one day
People fled/cast out from wicked city to righteous city
Church in Jerusalem, 70 AD Complete destruction by the Romans
Fled to many places
Joseph Smith Increased persecution, mobs
From Palmyra to Fayette
Joseph and Saints Increasing persecution, mobs, violence
From Fayette to Kirtland
Church members forced to flee by mobs
From Independence to scattered places
The Church Apostasy, mobs, persecution in Kirtland
From Kirtland to Far West
The Church Forced to flee by militia/mobs
From Far west to Illinois
The Church Apostasy, persecution, approaching mobs/militias
From Nauvoo to Salt Lake
The descendants of those that migrated from Europe and Britain to America missed out on much hardship and death suffered there from wars.
In 2 Nephi 10:22 the Lord says: For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure.
President Hinckley, in 2001 General Conference, quoted Joel’s prophecy saying it had been fulfilled: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Many dreams and visions have been received and complied into recently published books, warning that the time will come when the First Presidency will issue new gathering instructions. Since it will affect us all I will be happy to give you the information on the books if you contact me. This information has brought to my attention recently and I would feel remiss if I did not pass it on to those we love.
We love you all and pray for your continued happiness.
Paco and Jo ******* Notice ******* Copied and Pasted by me as Tom Osmond - Especially for your INFORMATION - Be Prepared Ye Have No Fear said the Lord our God
When the Lord restored his true church to earth through the prophet Joseph Smith, he soon commanded the saints to gather together, out of the wickedness of the world. Since that time he has issued new instructions for the saints to stay in their respective countries and build up the church where they are. Is it possible that he can issue new directions in our day and gather the righteous out of the world before destroying the wicked?
Yes it is, and infact, it has been prophesied that he will.
President Harold B. Lee in his conference talk in April 1948 made the following statement:
It would be well – before the frightening events concerning the fulfillment of all God’s
Promises and predictions are upon us, that the saints in every land prepare themselves and look forward to the instruction that shall come to them from the First Presidency of this church as to where they shall be gathered –
Also in 1 Nephi 17:38 it reads; “And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.”
I don’t know about you, but I think that we live in a very wicked world and the Gadianton Robbers are again leading the majority of the people away from the commandments of our God and destruction awaits us. If he follows his previous examples of separating the righteous from the wicked, he will call the righteous out of their places into an uninhabited place where they can dwell, usually in tents for a time, while he destroys the more wicked ones. Since the wicked won’t obey his command, he has no choice, but to move those who will obey.
Some examples of calling the righteous to a more wholesome place are as follows:
GROUP CURRANT OR IMPENDING DISASTER
Enos Wars and bloodshed, secret combinations
To a “land of promise” Moses 6:17
Enoch Increased wars and bloodshed, secret combinations
Fled to Zion
Noah Destruction of all the wicked by flood
Fled to the Ark
Jaredites Confusion of tongues
Fled to a “land of Promise,” the ancient Americas
Abraham Wickedness in Ur
Fled to Haran to save his life
Lot Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire from heaven
Fled into wilderness/mountains
Israel/Joseph Terrible famine
Fled into Egypt
Moses Slavery under Egyptians
Fled into wilderness
Lehi Destruction of Jerusalem because of wickedness
Fled to wilderness and eventually to “Promised land”
Nephi Destruction at hand of wicked brothers
Fled into wilderness
Mosiah 1 War and wickedness (prophesied by Jacob [Jacob 3:4])
Fled into wilderness, eventually to Zarahelma
2
Mulek Destruction of Jerusalem
Fled to Ancient America
Alma 1 1st time-Destruction at the hands of wicked king Noah
Fled into wilderness
2nd time-Slavery under the hands of Amulon/Lamanites
Fled into wilderness, eventually arrived at Zarahelma
Limhi/Gideon War with the Lamanites
Prepared and then had people flee to defensible city
Righteous of Ammonihah Complete destruction of the city by the Lamanites in one day
People fled/cast out from wicked city to righteous city
Church in Jerusalem, 70 AD Complete destruction by the Romans
Fled to many places
Joseph Smith Increased persecution, mobs
From Palmyra to Fayette
Joseph and Saints Increasing persecution, mobs, violence
From Fayette to Kirtland
Church members forced to flee by mobs
From Independence to scattered places
The Church Apostasy, mobs, persecution in Kirtland
From Kirtland to Far West
The Church Forced to flee by militia/mobs
From Far west to Illinois
The Church Apostasy, persecution, approaching mobs/militias
From Nauvoo to Salt Lake
The descendants of those that migrated from Europe and Britain to America missed out on much hardship and death suffered there from wars.
In 2 Nephi 10:22 the Lord says: For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure.
President Hinckley, in 2001 General Conference, quoted Joel’s prophecy saying it had been fulfilled: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Many dreams and visions have been received and complied into recently published books, warning that the time will come when the First Presidency will issue new gathering instructions. Since it will affect us all I will be happy to give you the information on the books if you contact me. This information has brought to my attention recently and I would feel remiss if I did not pass it on to those we love.
We love you all and pray for your continued happiness.
Paco and Jo ******* Notice ******* Copied and Pasted by me as Tom Osmond - Especially for your INFORMATION - Be Prepared Ye Have No Fear said the Lord our God
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
How Spirituality Keeps You Well
How Spirituality Keeps You Well
~ by Dr. Ranit Mishori
Planning on going to church this holiday season? That should be good for the spirit, of course – and perhaps also for the body. According to a study in Annals of Epidemiology (the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease), people who attend religious services tend to be healthier than the rest of us. More specifically, weekly churchgoers have a lower risk of death than those who never set foot inside a place of worship.
The report came out earlier this year, but it’s only the latest in a series of studies exploring the link between health and spirituality. This research has found that prayer and meditation seem to be associated with improved immune systems and fewer episodes of chronic inflammation.
Not surprisingly, the benefits extend to mental health as well. People who identify themselves as more religious reveal lower rates of depression. A study reported in September by the Journal of Affective Disorders showed lower suicide rates among people who regularly attend religious services.
So is church a healing place? While some faithful may believe it is, scientists point out that religious people often take better care of themselves. Studies show that regular churchgoers are also people who don’t smoke, drink rarely, and see their doctors regularly. More important, people who make church a habit – and the same goes for people who worship at mosques and synagogues – are more socially integrated, which means they have more friends and acquaintances and a better support system to help them cope with stressful life events.
Many researchers also believe that at bottom there seems to be a strong connection between the mind, the spirit, and the body. Improve one, and you have an effect on the other. Praying, meditating, or attending religious services may not cure a disease, but those activities may make you feel better and contribute to a more positive outlook on life.
Received permission from my brother Jay Osmond - Thanks Jay!
~ by Dr. Ranit Mishori
Planning on going to church this holiday season? That should be good for the spirit, of course – and perhaps also for the body. According to a study in Annals of Epidemiology (the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease), people who attend religious services tend to be healthier than the rest of us. More specifically, weekly churchgoers have a lower risk of death than those who never set foot inside a place of worship.
The report came out earlier this year, but it’s only the latest in a series of studies exploring the link between health and spirituality. This research has found that prayer and meditation seem to be associated with improved immune systems and fewer episodes of chronic inflammation.
Not surprisingly, the benefits extend to mental health as well. People who identify themselves as more religious reveal lower rates of depression. A study reported in September by the Journal of Affective Disorders showed lower suicide rates among people who regularly attend religious services.
So is church a healing place? While some faithful may believe it is, scientists point out that religious people often take better care of themselves. Studies show that regular churchgoers are also people who don’t smoke, drink rarely, and see their doctors regularly. More important, people who make church a habit – and the same goes for people who worship at mosques and synagogues – are more socially integrated, which means they have more friends and acquaintances and a better support system to help them cope with stressful life events.
Many researchers also believe that at bottom there seems to be a strong connection between the mind, the spirit, and the body. Improve one, and you have an effect on the other. Praying, meditating, or attending religious services may not cure a disease, but those activities may make you feel better and contribute to a more positive outlook on life.
Received permission from my brother Jay Osmond - Thanks Jay!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Bethlehem Innkeeper - Christmas 2008
Dear Greetings Reader:
The Bethlehem innkeeper never got a second chance to house the holy family but those who seek to follow the babe born in his stable will not only make room for Christ they will emulate his light his love and his care for others.
That is the message I desire to share with you at this time of this year 2008.
The innkeeper missed his greatest opportunity the night Christ was born. "Long years afterward it would not do any good for him to repeat over and over again the words'If only I had known who they wereI would have made room for them.'"
Today many enjoy homes with rooms for eating, sleeping, playing, sewing and TV "but no room for Christ". While many desire to make room in their hearts for the Savior"no matter how successful we have been thus far. . . .I am confident we would all wish to do better." This Christmas season is the time to do so.
Life's busyness requires a "conscious committed effort to bring Christ into our homes and lives." And while opportunities to give of self are limitless"they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved."
Someone told me of visiting a care center to see five elderly women he knew(Ka Noo) and after enjoying their company he noticed one woman looking out the window waiting for her son to come. "I wondered if he would for there had been other Christmas seasons when he had never even called."
Those who take the time to seek out those in need emulate Christ. "As we do serve him we will not forfeit our opportunity as did the innkeeper of old -- to make time for him in our lives and room for him in our hearts." said President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of Christmas traditions including amateur family pageants that re-create the story of Christ's birth. After a few years they began a pageant with Samuel the Lamanite standing to testify on the American continent of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. (read about Samuel in the Book of Mormon)
Over time they added a "disbelieving crowd armed with foil balls to throw at him as he stood above them." As the members of the angry mob grew stronger and more accurate over the years"we had to remind them forcefully that Samuel could not be hit because he was God's protected servant" he said drawing laughter from thousands in the Conference Center in Salt Lake CityUtah.
He said he wished he'd taken time to explain to those who played lambs in the nativity that the lamb of God would be Christ himself who "volunteered to come down from royal courts on height to be born in a humble stable. By his life and sacrifice he gave us all the gift of resurrection after death the certainty that we would live again."
Those who wish to receive Christ's gift "must try with all our hearts and strength to do what he did. We cannot give the great gift he gave to others" in the atonement for sin"But we can try to do his works and help him serve others as he would serve them."
One bishop in RexburgIdahodid so many years ago as he and his family often fed sheltered and even clothed needy travelers who passed near their home because "they welcomed strangers in need." Family Christmas traditions vary but they will have some things in common" including drawing hearts to the Savior and acts of kindness.
As a child in GermanyPresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf recalled celebrating Advent the season of light and walking through the streets on Christmas Eve with a parent seeing "how the smallest light penetrated the dark night."
Upon returning home he found the other parent had decorated the tree and lit it with real candles. "Perhaps it is no wonder that I have always associated the Christmas season with light" said President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency
.
Modern Christmas celebrations with their focus on material gift scan "detract from the simple dignity of the season and distract us from celebrating the birth of our Savior in a meaningful way." The economic challenges that may cause some to scale back their gift giving this year may "be a blessing in disguise" he said. "I know from personal experience that the most memorable Christmases can be those that are the most humble."
Expensive gifts aren't required to make Christmas meaningful but giving to those in need creates memories for those who serve others as Christ did. He recounted a story from Elder Glen L. Ruddan emeritus general authority who told of taking his own children out on Christmas Eve to gather gifts for a mother and children in desperate need including a small boy who simply requested a bowl of oatmeal.
That night as the family gathered around their own dinner table"they gave thanks that the little boy had received his bowl of oatmeal."
God chose to "honor the birth of his son as Jesus was found in the simplicity of a lowly stable. On that holy night angels appeared not to the rich but to shepherds. The Christ child was born not in a mansion but in a manger" wrapped "not in silk but in swaddling clothes."
"May we remember the humble dignity of his birthhis gifts and his life. May we through our simple acts of kindness charity and compassion fill the world with the light of his love."
The Bethlehem innkeeper never got a second chance to house the holy family but those who seek to follow the babe born in his stable will not only make room for Christ they will emulate his light his love and his care for others.
That is the message I desire to share with you at this time of this year 2008.
The innkeeper missed his greatest opportunity the night Christ was born. "Long years afterward it would not do any good for him to repeat over and over again the words'If only I had known who they wereI would have made room for them.'"
Today many enjoy homes with rooms for eating, sleeping, playing, sewing and TV "but no room for Christ". While many desire to make room in their hearts for the Savior"no matter how successful we have been thus far. . . .I am confident we would all wish to do better." This Christmas season is the time to do so.
Life's busyness requires a "conscious committed effort to bring Christ into our homes and lives." And while opportunities to give of self are limitless"they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved."
Someone told me of visiting a care center to see five elderly women he knew(Ka Noo) and after enjoying their company he noticed one woman looking out the window waiting for her son to come. "I wondered if he would for there had been other Christmas seasons when he had never even called."
Those who take the time to seek out those in need emulate Christ. "As we do serve him we will not forfeit our opportunity as did the innkeeper of old -- to make time for him in our lives and room for him in our hearts." said President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of Christmas traditions including amateur family pageants that re-create the story of Christ's birth. After a few years they began a pageant with Samuel the Lamanite standing to testify on the American continent of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. (read about Samuel in the Book of Mormon)
Over time they added a "disbelieving crowd armed with foil balls to throw at him as he stood above them." As the members of the angry mob grew stronger and more accurate over the years"we had to remind them forcefully that Samuel could not be hit because he was God's protected servant" he said drawing laughter from thousands in the Conference Center in Salt Lake CityUtah.
He said he wished he'd taken time to explain to those who played lambs in the nativity that the lamb of God would be Christ himself who "volunteered to come down from royal courts on height to be born in a humble stable. By his life and sacrifice he gave us all the gift of resurrection after death the certainty that we would live again."
Those who wish to receive Christ's gift "must try with all our hearts and strength to do what he did. We cannot give the great gift he gave to others" in the atonement for sin"But we can try to do his works and help him serve others as he would serve them."
One bishop in RexburgIdahodid so many years ago as he and his family often fed sheltered and even clothed needy travelers who passed near their home because "they welcomed strangers in need." Family Christmas traditions vary but they will have some things in common" including drawing hearts to the Savior and acts of kindness.
As a child in GermanyPresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf recalled celebrating Advent the season of light and walking through the streets on Christmas Eve with a parent seeing "how the smallest light penetrated the dark night."
Upon returning home he found the other parent had decorated the tree and lit it with real candles. "Perhaps it is no wonder that I have always associated the Christmas season with light" said President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency
.
Modern Christmas celebrations with their focus on material gift scan "detract from the simple dignity of the season and distract us from celebrating the birth of our Savior in a meaningful way." The economic challenges that may cause some to scale back their gift giving this year may "be a blessing in disguise" he said. "I know from personal experience that the most memorable Christmases can be those that are the most humble."
Expensive gifts aren't required to make Christmas meaningful but giving to those in need creates memories for those who serve others as Christ did. He recounted a story from Elder Glen L. Ruddan emeritus general authority who told of taking his own children out on Christmas Eve to gather gifts for a mother and children in desperate need including a small boy who simply requested a bowl of oatmeal.
That night as the family gathered around their own dinner table"they gave thanks that the little boy had received his bowl of oatmeal."
God chose to "honor the birth of his son as Jesus was found in the simplicity of a lowly stable. On that holy night angels appeared not to the rich but to shepherds. The Christ child was born not in a mansion but in a manger" wrapped "not in silk but in swaddling clothes."
"May we remember the humble dignity of his birthhis gifts and his life. May we through our simple acts of kindness charity and compassion fill the world with the light of his love."
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