"Free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men" 2 Nephi 2:27

When we were in Washington D.C. recently we were able to visit the Arlington Cemetery, many historical monuments, and some of the war memorials. The Arlington Cemetery is a very quiet, sacred, and peaceful place. When I looked out over the white headstones it hit me that all these people (more than 300,000 people and their dependents)  sacrificed in some way for our freedom. It is mind blowing and very humbling for me to ponder this.

Walking through Arlington Cemetery  

The next day we were able to visit: The Jefferson, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, The Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr, and the Franklin Roosevelt Memorials. Memorial is defined as "something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person or event" (memorial). All these memorials were there to help us remember these events and people, never to be forgotten, but always remembered. I also realized that all these people and events were part of defending freedom. In the Korean War Memorial there is a quote chiseled into granite that says, "Freedom is not free". It is placed next to all the numbers of whom were missing, killed, wounded, or prisoners of war. There is always a sacrifice that is made for freedom to be had, kept, and lived. I ask myself, "What am I willing to sacrifice that I may have freedom and others as well?"

"Freedom is not free". As I pondered all those who have sacrificed for our freedom in the United States and throughout the world, I realized there has been an atoning  sacrifice for all of us to have our freedom. It is the great and last sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), even Jesus Christ who sacrificed all so that we too would be "free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" (2 Nephi 2:27). We have a memorial every week to remember this sacrifice. It is the sacrament (learn more here). It is a sacred reminder for all, that Christ gave His life for us so that we could be free to choose to follow Him. This I testify.

At the Lincoln Memorial

This is the Arlington Cemetery, a beautiful reminder for all that "He is Risen" and we all shall be, too! This is freedom from death given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Quote on the Jefferson Memorial. What a beautiful thing for us to remember!

"Freedom Is Not Free" - at the Korean War Memorial

"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".