A Gift of Value

Last night I watched the First Presidency Christmas devotional, which is a set of Christmas messages from our prophet and his counselors (it is available here).

Elder Eyering, a counselor, said that one of the most valuable gifts we can give other people is a witness of what we believe to be true. So this is my testimony, posted for my friends - probably forever archived in some blogger system.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, and the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). He was born of Mary so that He could descend below all things and comprehend all things (D&C 88:6). Through a process I don't completely understand, the God of all was able to take upon Him the sins of all women and men who ever have and ever will live upon the earth (Matt 26:28; Luke 22:41-44). I know that He rose on the third day, breaking the bands of death for all (Alma 40:23).

Christ loves us and wants nothing more than for us to come unto Him and be forgiven of our sins that we might have joy with Him in the kingdom of God (Matt 11:28-30; D&C 19:15-16; D&C 10:65-67).

In order to come to Christ, though, we must obey His commandments. As I was told yesterday, "It is not necessary that we understand all things to be blessed, but it is necessary that we obey."

So that we might be able to obey, God sent prophets and gave them authority to guide us. Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, and others provided guidance to men and women in ancient times. But after Christ's ministry, the apostles and prophets were killed and the authority to act in God's name was taken from the earth.

We need prophets today, as much as the ancient Israelite nation.

And so, in 1820, God again called a prophet. Joseph Smith, as a boy of 14 was confused about religion, unsure of which sect to join. He studied the scriptures and found James 1:5 which said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Joseph decided to pray. He records what happened (Joseph Smith History):

"I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty... I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God ... I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

Through the next twenty years, Joseph Smith was guided to establish God's church on the earth. Priesthood authority was restored, and new scriptures were given to bless all mankind.

Joseph translated the Book of Mormon (available online) from a set of ancient records kept by a group of people who left Jerusalem 600 years before the birth of Christ. The people were led by a prophet to settle in the Americas. The Book of Mormon records their lives and revelations. It is a companion to the Bible. It testifies of Christ. What greater gift can we have than that? A second witness that Jesus Christ lived! And that He loves us!

Perhaps my favorite chapter in all scripture is a record of when Jesus visited the people of the Book of Mormon after His resurrection (3 Nephi 17). He taught them many of the things He taught during His mortal ministry. Then, as He was about to leave, He saw that the people with tears in their eyes. They desired Him to stay. He said, "Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you." He then healed their sick and blessed their children. It is a wonderful portrait of Christ's love for His people.

After Joseph Smith's death, another prophet was called, and another, and another. Through the almost 200 years since Joseph's vision of God and Christ, prophets have been on the earth to lead and guide the children of men to come unto Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is led by a prophet today. The church is the only way for men and women to access the saving ordinances of God.

I know that these things are true. Through personal prayer and studying the scriptures, I have received a witness from the Holy Ghost that Christ lives. He loves us and wants us to find happiness, joy, and peace. Through prophets and priesthood authority, we can know the commandments and how to come unto Christ.

I know that every man, woman, and child can also know these things for themselves. God sends the Holy Ghost to testify to our hearts and minds of the truth. If you read the scriptures and pray to God to ask him if they are true, you can also feel the warmth and peace which come from the Holy Ghost. You can also know of the truth of these things (Moroni 10:3-5).

And that is better than any gift I can give this Christmas season.