By Cortney Bean
During the Christmas season, thoughts are turned to Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated by thousands each year and whose life is honored by countless acts of love and service during the holiday season.
?If there is a common denominator, perhaps it is this; Christmas is Love,? said President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President James E. Faust, President Thomas S. Monson, and President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke last night during the annual Christmas devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, sharing messages of love, peace, service and the life of Jesus Christ. President Hinckley also announced the death of Sister Ruby Haight, wife of Elder David B. Haight, an apostle who also died earlier this year.
?The difficulties of life make us rise above our selfish desires,? President Faust said.
He shared the story of one family during the 1930?s, who had little to fill all ten of their stockings on Christmas morning. One son, working away from home, sent the family one small gift ? his journal. On each page were the letters ?GT? and each had been crossed out. ?GT? represented a ?good turn,? or act of service he had done for someone each day of the year. He did not write the details of his good deeds, only that he had done them. The father shared the book with the other children, helping them to understand the significance of their brother?s sacrifice and love, President Faust said.
?We are each agents of our Heavenly father to do Christ-like deeds,? President Faust said.
President Monson echoed the message of love and service. He shared the story of Lee W. Malloy, U.S. merchant marine during World War II in 1944. Sailing toward home on the North Atlantic, Malloy was on watch at the bow of the ship on Christmas evening during stormy weather when a submarine scope was spotted about 300 yards away. By that time it was too late for any defense.
To the amazement of everyone on board, the German U-boat sent a message instead of missiles. Flashes of light from the sub read in Morris code, ?M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S.?
The U-boat sank back into the sea and a cheer of relief, joy and true celebration went out among the U.S. marines, President Monson said.
?There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves the principles taught by Jesus Christ,? President Monson said. ?He who gives money gives much. He who gives time gives more. But he who gives of himself, gives all.?
President Monson encouraged that Christmas be a season of lifting those who live in loneliness, for prayers of peace and preservation of free principles, and a time to forget one?s self and find time for others. He also encouraged reflection on the gift of the Savior.
?His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world,? President Monson said.
President Hinckley, before beginning his remarks on Christmas, announced the death of Sister Ruby Haight. He expressed love and respect for her and said she was ?of great, beautiful and sweet character.? Acknowledging that she has now joined her husband, President Hinckley then continued to testify of Christ.
?As the spirit of Christmas enters our hearts,? President Hinckley said, ?we feel a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more happy and a little more like the kind of people we ought to be at all times.?
Reading from the Book of Mormon, President Hinckley quoted Nephi?s vision of the birth of Jesus Christ.
?God be thanked for the gift of his glorious son, the only perfect man that ever walked the earth,? President Hinckley said. ?There is none that excel him.?
President Hinckley urged people to never forget the reason for celebrating Christmas. He spoke of the atonement and the blessings that come from obedience. Quoting the words of the Savior he gave a reassurance of peace. He then quoted the testimony of Joseph Smith, affirming it with his own.
??And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives!? And of this testimony, this night, we add our testimony at this glorious Christmas season,? President Hinckley said.