LDS Church leader Thomas S. Monson, center, is joined by President Henry B. Eyring, left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf as they wave to the congregation after the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional at the LDS Conference Center on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
[photo: http://www.deseretnews.com]
(PRESS RELEASE)—Salt Lake City—Speaking at the annual December devotional, President Thomas S. Monson reminisced about Christmases past and urged those in attendance to remember the spirit of the season.
“Finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts,” said President Monson. “Real joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the world, who said, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.’”
Presidents Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, counselors in the First Presidency, also addressed the worldwide gathering.
“It is wonderful to remember Him always but especially as we celebrate His birth. He came to bless children. He healed the sick,” said President Eyring in retelling the original Christmas story. “We can choose Christmas and every day to create a small part of the Christmas story in our own lives.”
President Uchtdorf talked of looking for Christ in Christmas.
“Some are so caught up in the details of running their lives that they don’t make time for much else. They might pay lip service to the things of the Spirit, but their hearts are so focused on the world that they cannot see the Christ.”
President Monson closed reciting lyrics from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and offering this encouragement: “At this joyous season, may personal discords be forgotten and animosities healed. May enjoyment of the season include remembrance of the needy and afflicted. May our forgiveness reach out to those who have wronged us, even as we hope to be forgiven. May goodness abound in our hearts and love prevail in our homes.”
The 60-minute event included musical selections by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.
(source: http://lds.org) |
Comments to this story (3)
Tumama Fauatea wrote: |
18 Mar 2010 11:52 AM |
| Working as a Department manager, allot is demand of me. My time away from my family, from church and most of all,time to myself to reflect on my relationship with God. But one thing that I can truly testify to you that if I take a moment and say a prayer to invite God to be my companion for the day. I can never go wrong. After I say a quick prayer to invite the spirit of God to be with me through out the day, A feel good, I feel fresh and I'm a happier person. I find myself able to defused a misunderstanding to a happy solution. I make wiser decisions. My staff communicates well and able to work together, able to solve guest issues with out me. I manager to complete what is asked of me on time and my staffs are always happy. It's all because the Spirit of God is with me. My staff can see that I'm calm, collective and I always make them feel important. I sing church songs when I'm walking the hotel grounds. At the end of the day, I sat down and wonder, how did I manage to survive this day. I just look up, and I thank my Heavenly Father.
I remember one day, I walked in the office at 10 minutes before my shift and my manager handed me a folder full of reports and asked that I go and see the General Manager to explain the Labor forecast, the overtimes from the past week,the schedule for next week.
I was never trained,I have no understanding of the Labor forecast. I did not have any notes to explain the overtime from the past week. I couldn't think straight. I was so nervous, my heart was about to jump out of my chest, I was in a total darkness.
I became very angry at my manager, I asked him many times before to explain to me what they talk about in their labor meetings, but he never make time. He make excuses,why he can't do it.
My mind was beginning to formulate a list of excuses to tell the General Manager why I can't explain the reports.
Ten minutes went by so fast, but then I remember to say a prayer. I was still angry and my heart pumping so faster then ever, I began to pray. You can only imaging what I was asking God for, when I open my eyes, I felt this warm feeling came over me. I took the report and calmly walked in the office. He looked at me and pointed to the chair, " have a sit".
I looked at him and he looked at me and said, "What do you have for me". I began to flip through the report and began to read from it. He stopped me, and began to asked question one after another. I manage to answer a few and the rest was over my head.
I can honestly say, I was a punching bag in that office. God was with me, I was not mad, I was taking notes, I was calm, I was thinking straight, I was thanking my manager in my mind for this golden opportunity to attend this meeting.
When he was done with me, he extended his hand and we shook hand. His final words to me were, I'll see you next week, same time, same place". I thank him and walked out.
The power of prayer, the spirit of God was with me, I invited him to be with me and he was there. I learn new things that day. My anger turn into thanks for the opportunity. God change my situation into a life time learning and opportunity to expand my career to better my family. This week, I got promoted to Department Manager for Four Seasons Resorts. God is there for you and me, asked for him in time of need and always. Before you lay down at night thank him, when you rise in the morning may your heart be full of thanks and offer praise to him. Let him be your companion 24/7 and you will never go wrong.
Never forget, invite the spirit of God to be with you. |
Tama Fanau wrote: |
17 Dec 2009 12:06 AM |
| Purple Heart Recipient: Thanks for all you have said. CHOICE, will choose your destiny. A gift from our Heavenly Father that no one can take it away from you. Like what brother Tee said, "Make good choice and decision about your life". Uso ma tuafafine, ua le toe iai se taimi, o le taimi lenei ua tatau ona maututu o tatou molimau i mataupu fa'avae o le talalelei a le Ali'i Fa'aola. |
Purple Heart Recipient :Noble Cause" Vietnam War> wrote: |
13 Dec 2009 12:18 PM |
| The first Presidency, President Monson remind the people of the world to gather with the spirit of the Lord, and not only just the things of the world. Reminisced about celebration in good spirit, with lots of love and kindness, and not hot drinks and drugs, etc. Don't forget to make your resolution for the New Year 2010, it will be the unforgetable moment of your life ever. Ask the missionaries to visit your home, and talk about the true gospel of Jesus Christ, something you will never forget for the rest of your life, when you become a part of the sheepfold of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The resolution of your life time, and goes on to your posterity, and your children will love you forever for such choice you made for them. It is an everlasting blessing for you, and your posterity without a doubt. It takes faith and trust in the Lord to become a new person that you are, and therefore, don't procrastinate the blessings are waiting for you at your front doors. Don't you doubt nor skeptical about your feelings and your resolution. You don't want to be the same old failure in your life time. Make good choice and decision about your life, and what do you want from life, and what life can do for you. As we all know lives is from God the heavenly father, and therefore, do yourself a favor by asking the missionaries out there to help you spiritually. Happy holiday to everyone.
Ps; Stay sober from all your addicted.
Respectfully
Tee Masaniai, Jr
Vietnam War Veteran
Purple Heart Recipient (Noble Cause) |
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