Merry Christmas everyone.
I love this time of year. I love all of the family get-togethers that my
family and my in-laws have throughout the holiday season.
What a wonderful time to be with friends and
family.
I also love the story of the Saviors birth. I love hearing it and reading the passages in
Luke 2. But for this post I would like
to focus on the other scripture story of the Saviors Birth found in 3 Nephi.
As you may recall Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied of the
Savior's birth five years before Jesus was born. During that five years those who were against
the Church grew stronger as did their persecution of those who believed in the
Savior. Those who were against the Church
said that the time for Samuel's prophecy had past and that the Savior would not
come. I will let Nephi tell the story
from here (3 Nephi 1: 9 - 21).
9 Now it came
to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers,
that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should
come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi,
saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself
down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people,
yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the
tradition of their fathers.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that
day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the
time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto
the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known
unto the children of men from the foundation of
the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the
Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time
is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.
15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi
were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going
down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to
be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of
the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they
were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for
those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the
sign which had been given was already at hand.
17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly
appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to
the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly
astonished that they fell to the earth.
18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these
things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at
hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all
that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass
that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and
they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit,
according to the words of the prophets.
21 And it came to pass also that a new star did
appear, according to the word.
What a wonderful account of faith. Faith in the Lord, faith in the Lord's
servants, and faith in prayer. Also what
a wonderful account of the Lord keeping all of His promises. I hope that those
who read this will have the same faith in the Lord when in need. I hope that my faith is never tested to the
extent that Nephi's faith was tested. But
I hope and pray that when my faith is tested, I can pass the test as Nephi did.
I ask that all of you will take the time this holiday season
to read and share the account of the Savior's birth found in Luke. Then right after read and share the other
account of the Savior's birth shown above and found in 3 Nephi.
I have a testimony that both accounts are true. I have a
testimony that the Savior was born and did teach and minister and perform
miracles on this earth. Then He
willingly died for each and every one of us that we may repent and return to
live with our Heavenly Father.
Again, merry Christmas. Please keep the Savior in your
hearts and minds throughout all you do this holiday season.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Stake High Councilor Andy Archibald
