on Sunday, December 2. The proceedings were available worldwide via satellite, Internet, and BYU-TV which is available in many consumer cable and satellite packages.
The First Presidency is the highest governing body of the Church. It consists of the prophet, who is also considered the president of the Church. He also usually has two counselors to assist him. Gordon B. Hinckley is currently the prophet, and Thomas S. Monson and Henry B. Eyring are serving as his counselors.
I look forward to hearing the inspired words of our Church leaders at Christmas time. Particularly with the world’s overwhelming emphasis on the commercial aspects of Christmas and the constant invitations to spend exorbitant amounts of money on material gifts, I appreciate these men’s emphasis on the birth of our Savior and His example of service to others. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir also performs songs of the season that invite the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit provides us with a peace throughout the season that the world and its material gifts cannot provide.
According to the Deseret Morning News, President Hinckley exhorted all to reach out to those in need, rather than think of their own desires. “‘Merry’ (Christmas) may be the wrong word. More appropriately, we might say, ‘It is Christmastime. What can I do to help you? Are your burdens too heavy to carry? Is your sorrow too painful?’ This world is full of sorrowful people. Many of them feel totally beaten down. They are sick. They are impoverished. Life seems hopeless. Even at this season they seem oppressed by these feelings.”
The First Presidency also issued a letter, in addition to presenting the devotional. In part, it reads: “We testify that He lives and that He loves our Heavenly Father’s children,” the letter says. “It is our sincere prayer that this knowledge will be a source of comfort and peace to one and all, and that each of us will seek His invitation to come unto Him. May the spirit of Christmas, which is the spirit of Christ, bless and sustain each of us.” (“First Presidency Sends Christmas Message,” newsroom.lds.org)
I am grateful for inspired leaders who go out of their way to testify of our Savior Jesus Christ at this special time of year.
