NEW ZEALAND LOCAL PAGES AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE The Prophetic Promise of the Messiah By Elder Kevin W. Pearson First Counsellor in the Area Presidency he birth of Jesus Christ in the proclamation of the truth, in Tmeridian of time was one great power and authority, there of the most anticipated events were but few who hearkened in all recorded ancient scrip- to his voice, and rejoiced in his ture. Beginning with Adam and presence, and received salva- continuing with every ancient tion at his hands” (D&C 138:26). prophet through the ages, the Contrast that with “the angel promise of the Messiah, the [and] a multitude of the heavenly Redeemer, the Saviour, and the host praising God, and saying, Only Begotten Son of God was Glory to God in the highest, and Elder Kevin W. foretold. on earth peace, good will toward Pearson The righteous have wor- men” (Luke 2:13–14). their deliverance was at hand. shiped the Father in the name The birth of the Son of God They were assembled awaiting of the Son and have exercised would have been one of the the advent of the Son of God into faith in Him, repented and most acknowledged and cele- the spirit world, to declare their covenanted through baptism brated days in all of recorded redemption from the bands of and received the gift of the Holy history in the pre-mortal realm. death” (D&C 138:12,15–16). Ghost in every age where the His mission there would be the He will come again, and all His Melchizedek Priesthood has very foundation of the Father’s words will be fulfilled which He been available on the earth. plan of salvation. Who in the has caused to be spoken through The prophets foretold of His heavens would not have known His prophets. As we look to the coming in the meridian of time of that event? Thirty-three years Saviour this Christmas, may we to prepare His people, and the later, as President Joseph F. also heed the voices of His holy prophets of the Restoration con- Smith in vision witnessed, “there prophets, for a voice of warning, tinue to warn the people of His were gathered in one place an teaching, counsel, instruction Second Coming and the need to innumerable company of the and guidance, that we might ever prepare to meet Him. spirits of the just, who had been be found with the “valiant in the Sadly, there were but faithful in the testimony of Jesus testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79), few looking for Jesus of while they lived in mortality . that we “may be filled with this Nazareth when He came: they were filled with joy and love, which he hath bestowed “Notwithstanding his mighty gladness, and were rejoicing upon all who are true follows of works, and miracles, and together because the day of his Son, Jesus Christ; that we may December 2013 N1 become the sons [and daugh- we shall have the Christmas a moment and remembers with ters] of God; that when he shall spirit, not for one fleeting day gratitude the birth of the Son appear [again] we shall be like each year, but as a companion of God. him, for we shall see him as he always. We shall learn to forget “In that spirit we reach out to is; that we may have this hope; ourselves. We shall turn our embrace one and all with that that we may be purified even as thoughts to the greater benefit love which is of the essence he is pure” (Moroni 7:48). of others. of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider these prophetic mes- “There is no shortage of We Latter-day Saints are a vast sages as you celebrate Christmas opportunities to forget self and concourse of people bound in your home this year. think of others. Such opportuni- together in a oneness of love ties, however limitless they may and faith. Our blessing is great, The Christmas Spirit be, are also perishable. There as a people and as individuals. “With the birth of the babe are hearts to gladden. There are We carry in our hearts a firm in Bethlehem, there emerged kind words to say. There are gifts and unshakable conviction of a great endowment—a power to be given. There are deeds to the divine mission of the Lord stronger than weapons, a wealth be done. There are souls to be Jesus Christ. He was the great more lasting than the coins of saved. Jehovah of the Old Testament, Caesar. This child was to be- “As we lift our eyes heaven- the Creator who, under the come the King of kings and Lord ward and then remember to direction of His Father, made of lords, the promised Messiah— look outward into the lives of all things, ‘and without him Jesus Christ, the Son of God. others, as we remember that it is was not anything made that “Born in a stable, cradled in more blessed to give than to re- was made’ ( John 1:3). He was a manger, He came forth from ceive, we, during this Christmas the promised Messiah, who heaven to live on earth as mortal season, will come to see a came with healing in His wings. man and to establish the king- bright, particular star that will He was the worker of miracles, dom of God. During His earthly guide us to our precious oppor- the great healer, the resurrec- ministry, He taught men the tunity” (Thomas S. Monson, “In tion and the life. His is the only higher law. His glorious gospel Search of the Christmas Spirit,” name under heaven whereby reshaped the thinking of the Ensign, Dec. 1987, 5–6). we must be saved. world. He blessed the sick. He “We love Him. We honor caused the lame to walk, the A Season for Gratitude Him. We thank Him. We wor- blind to see, the deaf to hear. He “What a wonderful season ship Him. He has done for each even raised the dead to life. To us this is, this Christmas season. of us and for all mankind that He has said, ‘Come, follow me.’ All of the Christian world, while which none other could have “As we seek Christ, as we not understanding the things done. God be thanked for the find Him, as we follow Him, that we understand, pauses for gift of His Beloved Son, our N2 Ensign Savior, the Redeemer of the Giving as He Gave • Dismiss suspicion and re- world, the Lamb without blem- “The Saviour dedicated His place it with trust. ish who was offered as a sacri- life to blessing other people. As • Write a letter. fice for all mankind. expressed by His chief Apostle, • Give a soft answer. “He it was who directed the Peter, ‘God anointed Jesus of • Encourage youth. restoration of this, His work, in Nazareth with the Holy Ghost • Manifest your loyalty in word this the dispensation of the ful- and with power: who went and deed. ness of time. This is His Church about doing good’ (Acts 10:38). • Keep a promise. which bears His Holy Name. “Never did the Saviour give • Forgo a grudge. “Christmas is more than trees in expectation of receiving. • Forgive an enemy. and twinkling lights, more than He gave freely and lovingly, • Apologize. toys and gifts and baubles of a and His gifts were of inesti- • Try to understand. hundred varieties. It is love. It mable value. He gave eyes to • Examine your demands on is the love of the Son of God the blind, ears to the deaf, and others. for all mankind. It reaches out legs to the lame; cleanliness to • Think first of someone else. beyond our power to com- the unclean, wholeness to the • Be kind. prehend. It is magnificent and infirm, and breath to the lifeless. • Be gentle. beautiful. His gifts were opportunity to • Laugh a little more. “It is peace. It is the peace the downtrodden, freedom to • Express your gratitude. which comforts, which sustains, the oppressed, forgiveness to • Welcome a stranger. which blesses all who accept it. the repentant, hope to the de- • Gladden the heart of a child. “It is faith. It is faith in God spairing, and light in the dark- • Take pleasure in the beauty and His Eternal Son. It is faith in ness. He gave us His love, His and wonder of the earth. His wondrous ways and mes- service, and His life. And most • Speak your love and then sage. It is faith in Him as our important, He gave us and all speak it again. Redeemer and our Lord. mortals resurrection, salvation, “We testify of His living and eternal life. “Christmas is a celebration, reality. We testify of the divinity “We should strive to give as He and there is no celebration that of His nature. In our times of gave. To give of oneself is a holy compares with the realization grateful meditation, we acknowl- gift. We give as a remembrance of its true meaning—with the edge His priceless gift to us and of all the Saviour has given. sudden stirring of the heart that pledge our love and faith. This is “Christmas is a time for giv- has extended itself unselfishly what Christmas is really about” ing. This Christmas: in the things that matter most” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Season (Howard W. Hunter, “The Gifts for Gratitude,” Ensign, Dec. • Mend a quarrel. of Christmas,” Ensign, Dec. 1997, 2, 4–5). • Seek out a forgotten friend.