Hello family and
friends,
I wanted to take
this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! This is always my
favorite time of the year. Being in Perú for it has only made me like it even more so.
Since being on my mission I have really been able to better get and comprehend
just how great the ultimate present to the world is: Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Christ: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) “they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus the Christ truly is
our Savior and Redeemer. There is not a doubt in my mind about that. It is
through him that we can receive the greatest blessing which is returning to
live with him and our Heavenly Father for eternity should we choose to follow
the strait and narrow path that leads there. Note: with its spelling this does
not mean like a straight line. It means narrow or restricted.
The true reason
for the season always has been and always should be about remembering the birth
of the greatest gift to the world and what he did for all of us out of pure
love. Remember what the angel told the humble shepherds as they watched over
their sheep, “And the angel said unto
them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and
saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
(Luke 2:10-14).
The angels did
not appear to kings and rulers to proclaim the birth of our Savior. They
appeared to humble shepherds. They spoke of a clear and simple message. One that
was of great importance. This was a message of such great joy and happiness
that it was accompanied by a choir of angels. This gift was not one for that
moment, or the next few years, not even for a lifetime. The gift of the Savior,
of a Redeemer, of a Prince of Peace, is a gift of all time and eternity. Through
our Lord and Savior we can truly take full advantage of the perfect plan, a
merciful plan, the plan of redemption, the plan of happiness, the plan of
salvation.
It sadly has only been since
coming on my mission that I’ve come to realize just how amazing this plan is. This
plan is truly perfect. I encourage
everyone to learn about it if you are unfamiliar with it or review it if you already
know it. This plan is of such great importance that it is talked about time and
time again in the scriptures. We have already all made the first great step in
following this plan. We chose it in the premortal life. I know that because you’re
here. We were given the opportunity to come experience mortality and progression
towards eternal life. A major key to this great and wonderful plan was the gift
of agency. We all have been given the power to make our own choices. We have
free will. What we cannot choose is the consequence. Every choice we make
also carries a consequence, both good choices and bad choices. When we choose to use our agency incorrectly, we are
distancing ourselves from our Heavenly Father. Remember how great and important
this gift is. Cherish it and use it correctly. This gift is so important that
we read in Moses 4:3 that it was the reason Satan was cast out of heaven, “Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled
against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I the Lord God, had
given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of
my mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down.” Always
remember this, Satan does not want your happiness. He does not want you
to be able to return. He tries to tempt all of us.
The other day
while studying for a lesson on the Word of Wisdom for a young investigator I
found something in the “For the Strength of the Youth” pamphlet that I really
enjoy, “Never let Satan or others deceive
you into thinking that breaking the Word of Wisdom will make you happier, more
popular, or more attractive.” (Page 25, For the Strength of Youth). This
council is applicable to all of us and to every commandment of the gospel.
Satan does not have power. Do not let him trick you into thinking otherwise.
Any temptation he provides only will bring sorrow and misery. Do not give into
that natural man. Use your agency correctly and for good. Use it to strengthen not
only your testimony, but also the testimony of others. Being here on earth we
have the opportunity to grow and develop. The knowledge we gain in this
lifetime will come with us in the next. “This part of your existence is a time
of learning in which you can prove yourself, choose to come unto Christ,
and prepare to be worthy of eternal life.” (True
to the Faith, pg 116) Prove yourself, prove yourself now and always that
you will be worthy of eternal life. Everyone will receive the gift of immortality,
but immortality and eternal life are not the same thing. Eternal life is
a gift we must work for and be worthy of. “Eternal life is a gift of God given only
to those who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve.” (Preach My Gospel, pg. 53). Obey the
gospel, listen to the teachings of Christ and the prophets. Read the words of
God, “Feast upon the words of Christ”
(2 Nephi 32:3) “Search, ponder and pray” (Children’s
songbook pg. 109). Come not only to
know it, but to live it. Not just on Sunday’s, or in times when it’s opportune,
but always. This is the only action that will grant you the gift of immortality
and eternal life. That is the only path to the highest state we can
achieve! It’s a path only attainable through Christ, our greatest gift. Our
Savior and Redeemer.
Remember that he is the reason for the season. He loves us so much that he gave his life for us. He didn’t want to suffer. On multiple occasions he asked, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:” He didn’t want to suffer. He was perfect. Unlike us, he never did anything to warrant suffering. He was the only perfect being that has ever lived. He didn’t want to bleed out of every pore in that garden. He didn’t want to suffer. He didn’t want to die on the cross. But, in that same verse we read, “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) He loved his Father and us so much that he gave up his will. He did the will of the Father so that the Plan of Happiness was actually possible. He loves us so much with a perfect love to do it anyway. Even though he didn’t want to, he suffered for our sins because he loves us and knew it was the only way to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Remember this, it was a wonderful gift. He loves us, just as our Heavenly Father loves us, perfectly. There is nothing we can do or say to have them not love us. It’s a perfect love. Remember his love during this Christmas season. I challenge you to also have the same love for your fellow brothers and sisters that he has. Not just this Christmas season, but always. Pray to develop this Christlike attribute. Heavenly Father will help you because it is an attribute of good and “Every good gift cometh of Christ.”(Moroni 10:18)
I hope you all
have a wonderful Christmas season full of peace and joy. I love all of you. I
keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. May we make the right choices and use
our agency so that we may receive all of the blessings Heavenly Father has
prepared for us. He wants to bless us and return to live with Him for eternity.
I want to share with you my testimony of this gospel. It is such a wonderful
thing. Through it I know I can live again with my Heavenly Father, and I know
that you can as well. I know that we all can if we choose right now to
do so. Right now and in every choice we make. Satan tries to tempt us,
resist it. He doesn’t want our happiness. He wants eternal misery for us
because that’s what he has. But, we have been given the power and gift to
overcome that. It is Christ the Lord. I know that through him and his gospel we
can overcome any temptation or challenge that Satan tries to throw at us. He
has promised that when we humble ourselves and ask for His help, He will make
our burdens light, “Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon
you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For my yolk is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew
11:28-30).
I know that he is
the reason for this Christmas season, just as he always will be. My love is
with you all. May we all enter this New Year with the mindset to love more and to
fill our lives with his wonderful gospel. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year! God be with you till we meet again.
With Much Love,
Elder Scott
Trujillo Perú 2016-2018
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