Honor Christmas in my heart

Luke 24 tells a story of two apostles walking on Emmaus road

soon after Christs resurrection and ascension.

  

"...And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.  And they talked together of all these things which had happened..."

While they were walking they were joined by the Savior himself but they didn't recognize him. Christ asked them why they were so sad, and they responded with a questions, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" They explained the details of the last few days of Christ's life as they continued to walk.

The stranger began to expound scriptures, explaining that these things had been prophesied by many prophets, still they did not recognize Him.

It wasn't until he later sat to eat with them, and blessed and broke the bread that, 'their eyes were opened, and they knew him'.

"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

The Christmas season is now behind us, will we like these men of old quickly forget our time we spent with the Savior? It had only been a few days since he had left but "their eyes were holden that they could not see him." Each of us have drawn closer to our Savior with the Christmas spirit, I know that I have come to know him better from the time I have spent with him. Let us not forget the feelings we have had the the lessons we have learned. "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way." 

Let us cry like Ebenezer Scrooge " I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."  Let us move into the new year better people because of the things we learned this season.

 

Coming to know my Savior

"Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with the Savior?"

This week I have gained a stronger relationship with my Savior through the power of the priesthood.  While at Zone Training I stood in the hallway listening to a simple yet profound testimony of the power of the priesthood. My testimony grew as I listened to this persons expression of gratitude that the priesthood power is given to men to hold in their hands, to act and bless the lives of all those around. The spirit spilled out into the hallway where I stood testifying of the truths he spoke. The priesthood is real, it is powerful enough to create worlds, and personal enough to heal broken hearts. What an amazing gift we have been given!

I have been supported and guided in my mission as I have asked for priesthood blessing regularly. I have struggled to ask for blessings, feeling like something must be wrong if I need a blessing, but I have come to know that these blessings can change my life. Countless prayers have been answered through the simple words declared in my blessings. I have felt guided, protected and watched over with each one. Most importantly I have come to know my Savior better. Through the priesthood I have felt his arms around me, I have heard the precious words that he knows I needed to hear. I have a stronger relationship with Him because of the priesthood power in my life.

I am truly grateful for worthy priesthood holders. These men are humble servants of a Heavenly Father who carry a great responsibility. I'm thankful for their examples of discipleship and their willingness to serve. 

I love my Savior more than I could ever say. Because of Him I have reason to rejoice, I can repent, I can be sealed to my family forever, I can be truly happy. Only He knows the depths of my trials and pains. He is the only one who can offer me peace. Coming to know my Savior more has been the greatest blessing of my mission. My mission has given me a small glimpse into His life as I have walked as his representative. Learning from my Savior gives me the opportunity to see people the way he sees them, the way they may become.

3 Nephi 17:21 and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.