"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)

Gift giving is fun to do. I like making sure I have the perfect gift for people. This can be a good quality to have and this can be crippling to have, especially if you are a perfectionist and have a hard time making decisions. But, giving gifts is so much fun! It is delightful to see the expression on the face of the person when they receive the gift they have "always wanted" or to receive the gift that they are full of thanks and gratitude because they didn't expect it. It is a satisfying feeling to know that you have given a part of yourself.

There are a diverse amount of gifts. We talk about having "gifts", each of us individually, that we can share and express. They could also be called talents. Every one is "given a gift by the Spirit of God" (D&C 46:11). Too often we think we need to receive expensive gifts that cost money. It is nice to receive gifts that someone has purchased for us and taken the time to buy for us, but often they aren't the ones that mean the most. I know that when my children give me the "gift of labor" (see Ecclesiates 5:19) by doing their chores, or doing something they do on their own, it brings not only joy to me, but also them happiness and "rejoicing in their labor" (see Ecclesiates 5:19). This is a gift of self.

Another gift that sometimes is over looked is the gift of time. There is a "time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I am still learning to receive this gift of time. It really is a blessing. In the Lord's time wounds heal, love replaces hate and anger, we learn patience, we can learn and develop whatever virtue we may need to develop. "He [makes] every thing beautiful in his time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This is so true! I had very difficult pregnancies. I had hyperemesis gravidarum, which means severe vomiting. On good days, which would start about half way through my pregnancies, I would only vomit 8 times a day. On my worst day, I stopped counting at 50. Many people called me "stupid" for having done this four times (you have to have four pregnancies to have four children). But I testify to you, through this process, the Lord fulfilled His promise to "greatly multiply...[my] conception" (Moses 4:22). This means more than just having children. He wants us to understand and have to ability to plan and form ideas. We do this when we experience trials and challenges that stretch us beyond what we thought we were capable of doing. We are able to conceive and comprehend more when we are good receivers of the gifts God wants to give us. These gifts are usually not given to us on a silver platter, but their price is "more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7).

Being a good receiver is another gift we can give not only to ourselves, but also to others. "For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift" (D&C 88:33). Children are the perfect example of how to be good receivers. I remember when our children were little and we received a new refrigerator. They played with the box for months! They were so delighted with the box! We can be as children and "receive all things with thankfulness" (D&C 78:19). This helps us be happy and filled with joy because we will be grateful for all that the Father has given us and gratitude automatically brings good feelings.

 God loves blessing us and giving us gifts. He especially wants to give us "eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:7). He wants us to receive eternal life, but as with all good gifts, we must choose to receive it (see D&C 88:32). We can only receive the gift of eternal life by receiving the gift of His commandments, by receiving the gift of the atonement and giving back through the gift of repentance. What incredible gifts and blessings that are continually available and free for us to use every day.

Heavenly Father is waiting to bless us and give us gifts every day of our lives. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). He will never turn from us. The Lord wants us have "all that [His] Father hath" (D&C 84:38; see also John 16:15; 3 Nephi 28:10). We get to decide if we want to receive His gifts...and there are so many of them that gratefully, we can work on giving and receiving one item at a time, Christ being the best gift to give and receive because that's what the Father gave us (see John 10:29). This I testify.