"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16)

I have an original painting I got with gift money which has brought me great joy. It is of the resurrected Christ standing next to Mary just outside the garden tomb. Mary hasn't yet seen or noticed Him. I have often pondered on this event captured in this painting. 

(Painting by J. Kirk Richards click here to see more of his work)

There must have been such grief for so many who had lost their Lord and Master, a Beloved Friend, Teacher, Family Member, Leader, Loved One. The depths of sorrow, I can't comprehend. I then ponder the joy that must have filled Mary as she recognized her Master, her Beloved Jesus Christ (see John 20:13-18). His promise to rise again in three days (see Mark 8:31) had been fulfilled, which I can only imagine, had been hoped and was then comprehended. He had "finished the work" of his Father ( John 17:4).

Jesus Christ is truly resurrected, lives, is whole, and complete. He is the Gift to us from our Father in Heaven. We must choose whether or not we want to receive this Gift through faith, for there is no other way to receive Him. I think Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) said it eloquently when he stated: "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus" (Settle This in Your Hearts)!

The words to a Children's Primary song, "He Sent His Son" (#34) teaches many principles of sacrifice, love, hope, and enduring, that come from the Gift of our Savior which Heavenly Father gave to all the world. The words are as follows:

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?

He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?

He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?

He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.

What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.

What does He ask? Live like his Son.

(Words by Mabel Jones Gabbott, 1910-2004)

We are all God's children, and Heavenly Father needs to teach and have us learn of perfection (see Matt. 5:48). So He sent us a perfect example, because He loves us- perfectly. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Our Heavenly Father gave us the Gift of Christ, He sacrificed his Son for us that we might live again with them if we exercise faith in Jesus Christ. Faith takes action, and sometimes that action is to willingly sacrifice.

At Christmas time, it is a time for giving gifts, which brings great joy. My Children often give me gifts that are a sacrifice of time and money for them. I appreciate these small sacrifices for me, which brings joy to both of us. In a small way, they are expressions of their love. Heavenly Father wants us to receive the joy of giving gifts (see 2 Nephi 2:25). He sometimes may ask us to sacrifice or offer things we may not want to give up or aren't ready to part with, such as time, money, habits, grudges, loved ones, just to name a few. We often think of these things as our possessions or our "substance, which [does] not belong to you but to God" (Mosiah 4:22). When we willingly offer them to Him as gifts and we put our faith in His time table and His plan for us, then our joy will be fuller and deeper. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalms 126:5). The Lord has also said: "I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them" (D&C 111:11). And Paul testified: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

"What does the Father ask of us? Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way" (#34). What beautiful and simple gifts to give our Father in Heaven and our Savior this year: faith, hope, love, kindness, forgiveness, peace. Christ is the perfect example, the perfect Gift. Mary, in the garden tomb, was joyful at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this time of year, each of us gets to decide if we will turn and see the resurrected Christ; or in other words, "if there is room for Jesus".

"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.

"...Always Remember Him..." D&C 20:77,79

I think the month of December should be called the month of Remember. Why? Because it is so filled with good memories. It is filled with good smells, good songs, gift giving and receiving which all bring different types of remembering. But most importantly, it is the month in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, which brings about a whole set a remembering in and of itself. "The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him" (Elder Henry B. Eyring).

My husband will say, "Don't forget" and I always say back, "Remember" because we must "Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men" (D&C 3:3). Christ said to His disciples at the last supper, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). What are we to remember? "Always remember Him", Jesus Christ (D&C 20:77,79).

If Christmas could only last all year long perhaps we would remember Christ a little more easily all the time. The other day one of my sons said, "I wish it was Christmas all year long". I said that we could make it Christmas all year long by giving everyday. Later on I realized that this is exactly what Christ is wanting us to remember. "[He] gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).  He is "the perfect example" (Bible Dictionary) of what we are to remember in everything: behavior, worship, praying, humility, love, meekness, giving, everything.

Heavenly Father also expresses His love for us by having given us His "Beloved Son, in whom [He] is well pleased" (3 Nephi 11:7). There is a children's Primary song that says it perfectly about Heavenly Father giving the perfect Gift to us, and how we can give back to Him and also remember Him:

"How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?

He sent His Son, a new born babe, with peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?

He sent His Son on earth to walk with men on earth, that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?

He sent His Son to die for us and rise with living breath.

What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way.

What does He ask? Live like His Son."

(He Sent His Son; view Mormon Tabernacle Choir Performance here)

As we celebrate this month of "Remember" we can give the gift of ourselves to Christ by living as He did. We don't have to buy expensive gifts or focus on parties or fancy clothes. We can focus on the greatest gift ever given, even Jesus Christ, and in so doing we can have a year of "remembering" and a whole year of Christmas. We can give of ourselves and we not only have Christmas all year long, but we will "always remember [Christ]" (D&C 20:77,79). This I testify.

"...To every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." (D&C 46:11-12)

There is something I am very aware of about myself that I keep working on and will probably have to keep working on for my entire life. Envy. Whoa, did I really just admit that I get envious? Well, reality is, I do have such feelings, even if they are fleeting, or stay longer than I would like and I don't want them to stay. Why is envy or jealousy or coveting so bad? First I had to define envy (I always look up definitions, very informative and enlightening). Envy: "A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another" (The Free Dictionary). That definitely describes envy. I am not content with what I have or what I am when I am envious of what others have whether it is an object they posses, personality trait, physical trait, or talent, or anything else. Envy has been said to be one of the seven deadly sins (see Wikipedia) and has been portrayed in art for centuries.

In the scriptures we are admonished to "lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings" (1 Peter 2:1); "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long" (Proverbs 23:17). In another scripture we are asked: "...is there one among you who is not stripped of envy" (Alma 5:29)? Why must we be "stripped of envy"? Envy causes blindness, making us see all that others have, desiring what they posses, whether it is qualities or property, and we become blind to all the good and wonderful blessings that have been given to us. As God created the earth and all things that are on it, He would stop after He had created each thing and it is stated: "God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:10,12,18, 21, 25). He paused and appreciated His creations~ He saw. Appreciation for what we have is a gift we give ourselves and to God. It can also be called gratitude or thankfulness.

Everyone has different gifts and talents to share. "All have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby" (D&C 46:11-12). We are all blessed when we take the time to develop the talents that have been given to us rather than complaining, envying, or whining that so and so has so much why don't they give us some or even thinking they shouldn't have so much. It's not about what others have or are not giving us. It is about seeing what we have been blessed with from our Father in Heaven. Sometimes in our envying, we end up burying our talents because we waste so much time trying to get what someone else has rather than seeing that with which we have been blessed. Everyone is blessed by the talents and gifts of others..."that all may be profited thereby" (D&C 46:12); everyone benefits when someone improves and succeeds. The challenge is to rejoice in the success of others. It is a great feeling to cheer someone on when they have done better than we have, especially when it is something we love doing.

In the parable of the talents Christ is trying to teach us we all have talents and we shouldn't be afraid or worry about what we do or don't have, but to do our best with what we have been given (Matt. 25:14-30). In this parable there are 3 servants and each servant is given "talents" or money. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability" (vs. 15 italics added). The fact that the 'man', symbolic of God, gives them the talents according to their abilities is exactly what the Lord does for us. He knows what we are capable of doing and accomplishing. This is why it's important for gratitude to fill our hearts for the blessings we receive because He knows us and our abilities to handle the trials that are coming or the burden we already carry. We have to be humble enough to trust him and "call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that [we] may not be tempted above that which [we] can bear" (Alma 13:28) and envying is a huge temptation and way to heavy to add to the loads we already carry. "Thou shalt not covet" (Exodus 20:17) is essential to our development and our protection. It "is meant to keep us from hurting ourselves" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). It helps us have a better vision of who we are becoming rather than what someone else is, because we aren't becoming them, we are becoming who we really are~ "sons and daughters of Christ" (Mosiah 5:7).

Another lesson from this parable: the last servant was given one talent who buried it because he was "afraid" so he wouldn't lose any of his talent (vs. 25). It teaches us that it is important for us to "go and do" (1 Nephi 3:7) and that we should not be "slothful servants" (vs. 26; see also D&C 58:26). The Lord doesn't want to tell us everything that we can be doing. He wants us to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in [us] wherein [we] are agents unto [ourselves]. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward" (D&C 58:27-28). The Lord is pleased when we act with gratitude and "confess...His hand in all things (D&C:59:21) and thus we are eliminating envy from our hearts as we do so. We don't need to wait around to be told to do good things. "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33). We don't need to worry about what others have because we have way too much to do! Go and do good!

Envying or coveting is part of the "natural man" (Mosiah 3:19) but we don't need to be blinded by this weakness. For the power is in us to "do good" and "do much righteousness". As we lay aside envying the Lord says: "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more" (D&C 78:19). Keep our eye on the Lord, He knows exactly what we need, what to bless us with, what talents we need to develop. Rejoice in the blessings of others. He knows their needs as well as ours. With gratitude for all the Savior has given us, this I testify, is how to overcome and deal with envy.