The Conference Center, SLC Utah
It is impossible to give true justice to a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a mere summary. However, for the sake of my many readers who may not have had the opportunity to watch or hear the conference yet, or for those who would like my perspective – here are a few of my personal observations and highlights from the recent October 2011 Conference weekend: Continue reading
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Tomorrow the 181st Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin. The Conference will continue over the space of two days during five 2-hour sessions featuring spiritual messages presented in both word and song. At 10:00 am Mountain Time living prophets, apostles and other chosen servants of the Lord will step up to a podium and speak to the world the messages that God wants us to hear right now. It’s an exciting time to be alive! The following video shares an excerpt from General Conference on April 5, 2008 Continue reading
Are you seeking the perfect present to give for Christmas? Try some gift-giving tips from President Thomas S. Monson, and enjoy an inspiring song:
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The Christmas season, with its special meaning, inevitably prompts a tear, inspires a renewed commitment to God, and provides, borrowing the words from the lovely song “Calvary,” “rest to the weary and peace to the soul.”
I reflect on the contrasts of Christmas. The extravagant gifts, expensively packaged and professionally wrapped, reach their zenith in the famed commercial catalogs carrying the headline Continue reading
The following story was told by President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
At home in a hidden-away corner, I have a small black walking stick with an imitation silver handle. It once belonged to a distant relative. Why do I keep it for a period now spanning sixty years? There is a special reason. You see, as a very small boy I participated in a Christmas pageant in our ward. I was privileged to be one of the Three Wise Men. With a bandanna about my head, Mother’s Chickering piano bench cover draped over my shoulder, and the black cane in my hand, Continue reading
This Saturday and Sunday, Mormons throughout the world will be gathering to listen to the 180th Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Conference is always a very special event, which is anticipated with great excitement! Continue reading
In the final moments of last week’s LDS General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson, 16th President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave some profound instruction: Continue reading
As we commemorate Holy Week and the miracle of Easter, let us never forget the reason for the season. Enjoy this video Continue reading
The First Presidency
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, as did Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, and other prophets of the scriptures.
It is no small thing to have a prophet of God on the earth today! History has shown that there is safety, peace, prosperity, and happiness in following prophetic counsel. History has also shown that the instructions may be simple, but the actual following is never so easy.
The experience of Naaman is worth review. Continue reading
President Thomas S. Monson
Happy ”Valentine’s Eve”! I would like to share the following story about love shared by President Thomas S. Monson,of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Continue reading
On The 23rd Day of counting down, we’ve reached the Eve of Christmas Eve…
here is a story that warms the heart, and helps us to believe!
Click to Play: “Away In A Manger” by Paul Cardall
The following anonymous letter arrived on the desk of President Thomas S. Monson in December 1998.
“Dear President Monson:
“I am a dentist by profession…my receptionist informed me that an acquaintance of hers was coming into my office. She had problems with two of her teeth. She knew this woman and told me of her circumstances. The woman carried many burdens. The family business, which she ran, was doing poorly and the family was three months behind in paying rent. They had five children, many grown into adulthood, but all had moved back home because of difficult personal circumstances. By sheer force of will, she had kept her family together for some time. Now two teeth were broken.
“The woman arrived for her appointment and explained about her dental problem. She asked if I would allow her to pay her bill over time. She explained to me that her family had experienced several financial reversals and were just recently starting to pay some overdue bills.
“I assured her that her credit was good with me. She asked if I could repair just one of the two broken teeth at that time. I assured her that I could, and we began.
“Since I had the time, I repaired both teeth, for which she was grateful. When the work was completed…I told her that if she would not be offended, I should like to make a Christmas present of the dental work, for which there would be no bill. She was astonished. I could sense the depth of the stress and strain she had carried, as uncontrollable tears of gratitude gushed forth due to a small, simple act of kindness. It must have been years since someone showed her some little favor. Not able to speak, she made her way out.
“Both my assistant and receptionist were so moved by her reaction that they also sprouted tears and could hardly speak. I, on the other hand, was doubly glad. One part, in seeing such a simple act have such a happy effect on another. And the second part, for once in my life having a patient in my office crying for joy, and not for pain!
“To you, my very best wishes.
“Sincerely,
“A brother in the gospel”
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President David O. McKay said:
“True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.
“It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men.”
There’s Christmas in the home and church,
There’s Christmas in the mart;
But you’ll not know what Christmas is
Unless it’s in your heart.The bells may call across the snow,
And carols search the air;
But, oh, the heart will miss the thrill
Unless it’s Christmas there.- Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Gifts”
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Excerpts of a talk given in December 1998 by President Thomas S. Monson, then First Counselor in the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, entitled: What Is Christmas?
“On the 10th Day Christmas, MoSop shares a story … for finding the Christmas Spirit’s glory“
The following is excerpts of a talk by President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have included a musical clip for you to enjoy while reading. Just click on the arrow.
In Search Of The Christmas Spirit
I am the Christmas Spirit.
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser’s clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears—tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit. – [author unknown]
President Thomas S. Monson
This is the spirit each true Christian seeks. This is the spirit I pray each may find. This is the Christ spirit. No quest is so universal, no undertaking so richly rewarding, no effort so ennobling, no purpose so divine. The Christmas season seems to prompt anew that yearning, that seeking to emulate the Savior of the world…
…With the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment—a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to become the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah—Jesus Christ, the Son of God…
Born in a stable
…Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, “Come, follow me.”
Seeking
As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others…
…If we remember, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17), we will not find ourselves in the unenviable position of Jacob Marley’s ghost. When he spoke to Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol, he spoke sadly of opportunities lost. Said he,
Marley's Ghost
“Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?” (In The Best Short Stories of Charles Dickens, New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1947, p. 435.)
Reaching Out
We can learn a treasured lesson from the pen of Dickens and from the example of Christ. As we lift our eyes heavenward and then remember to look outward into the lives of others, as we remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive, we, during this Christmas season, will come to see a bright, particular star that will guide us to our precious opportunity…
…[Then our] quest for the Christmas spirit is rewarded.
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Excerpts from the 1987 First Presidency Message: In Search of the Christmas Spirit - by Thomas S. Monson
Musical Selection: “Silent Night” by Michael Dowdle
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a Christmas Devotional on the first Sunday of each December. The December 6, 2009 Christmas Devotional is now available online. You may choose to watch the entire event, or choose from individual selections. This year, messages were given by President Thomas S. Monson, and his counselors Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Pres. Henry B. Eyring. Music was provided by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square under the direction of Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy. The devotional is available in over 30 languages for free MP3 download here, as several languages are available on video. To view in English, click on this photo:
CLICK HERE - 2009 LDS First Presidency Christmas Devotional
