Only In Our Day...

Elder Joshua Albright: Only in our day...:

Standing with some Christmas lights

Have you ever taken a step back, and looked to the many blessings that we have been given in the world around us, with the technology and abilities that we have and are able to use. Like right now at this moment, you are (I'm guessing), not sitting right next to me or anything, and yet are able to read and look at this and read it at an instant with a click of your finger. Imagine living thousands of years ago, lets say, in the day of Moses. If you didn't live right there with him, maybe if you lived only 100 miles away, think of the difficulty in getting to hear the prophet of God speak. Or being able to listen when he teaches. Now what is you lived on another continent during the days of Moses. If you lived in the americas, you would most likely not even know the name of Moses, nor that he was a prophet of God or to hear what he was teaching from God. Now look at...
the day in which we live. We have open communication through technology to all over the world, we can call and talk to people in England, Tanzania, China, with something as simple as putting in their phone numbers.

President Thomas S. Monson

Now God has prophets and apostles on the earth at this very time, to lead and guide all of His children. He didn't stop loving us, He still does. And look at how much God has given us in our day to spread His word, and to hear from His chosen representatives on the earth. It was so awesome just 2 days ago, to be able to watch the prophet, and his counselors from the TV, to see the Christmas Devotional. If you haven't had a chance to watch that, please watch it, it was so great and the Spirit was truly strong as I watched and listened to the prophet of God on the earth. Click here to watch =)
One of the messages that was presented, is striving to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and what it is really about. To remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ; of the Messiah coming here to the earth. It was really great, with some of the things that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (2nd counselor in the first presidency) shared of Christ, and of the Christmas Season. Part of what he used in his talk to emphasize a point, came from one of my best loved Christmas stories, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". President Uchtdorf spoke about this memorable character from Dr. Seuss' classic children's story that had a heart 'two sizes too small' and hated everything about Christmas. "Through the course of the story, however," said President Uchtdorf, he undergoes a dramatic transformation when he learns that there is more to Christmas than decorations and gifts. Perhaps the Grinch's story is so memorable because, if we are honest, we may be able to relate to him." He then told of what the Christmas season ought to be; "We know it should be a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and of generosity." But, he added, sometimes the focus at Christmas time is on things that annoy and overwhelm -- much like the Grinch who vowed to stop Christmas from coming at all.

One of my favorite Christmas stories and movies

"While its true we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God, and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world. We, like the Grinch, can see Christmas through new eyes." It was awesome hearing him speak of these things and be able to relate it in such a way. May we continue to remember the true gift we have been given, an eternal gift that brings joy beyond measure, the gift of our Lord, our Savior, and our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. I testify that I know that He lives. He watches over us and is aware of all that we go through. The pains, trials, hardships, tribulations, and all the suffering we go through; so that He may lift us up when we are low and give us strength we cannot have solely on our own. Merry Christmas!!!