Focus on Christ, Counsels the First Presidency in Yule Program

In a Christmas message to Latter-day Saints, President Ezra Taft Benson added his testimony to those of earlier prophets, reaffirming that Jesus Christ is the living Savior and Redeemer.

His message was delivered during the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional, broadcast from Temple Square in Salt Lake City on December 4.

In an address that he asked President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, to read, President Benson noted that Book of Mormon prophets knew of the Savior’s coming birth long before it happened. Nephi, King Benjamin, and Alma each foretold that Christ would be born of the Virgin Mary.

“As these inspired prophets rejoiced in the birth and mission of the Savior, so should we. At this sacred season, I wish to add my witness to that of other prophets: The Son of God, even Jesus Christ, lives. He was born and lived in humble circumstances. He ministered among the children of men. He died in holy innocence. He arose from the grave in majesty with His resurrected body. And He will return again to the earth in great triumph and glory. He is indeed our Savior and our Redeemer, the Only Begotten of the Father. And because He lives, so shall we live eternally.”

President Benson’s message concluded with the hope: “May the Babe of Bethlehem be the object of our worship and the focus of our lives during this blessed Christmas season—and always.”

President Hinckley also conducted the devotional. “We extend our love at this glad Christmas season to each of you wherever you may be,” he said. “We hope that your hearts will be filled with gratitude as we, with others of the entire Christian world, commemorate the birth of our Savior during this sacred and special season of the year. May the peace of Christ be in your homes. May the love of Christ be in your hearts.”

President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, was the first speaker. He told two stories depicting the Christmas spirit. First, he related the story of a four-year-old boy who gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to a department store Santa Claus, which led to the man’s conversion to the Church. Based on a true incident, the story appeared in the December 1988 issue of the Friend (“From Lucas to Santa,” by April Gohier).

President Monson’s second story was about a little girl who had not been able to see Santa in the Christmas parade until a man noticed her crying and lifted her onto his shoulders. The spirit of Christmas prompts people to take notice of others in ways they don’t at other times, he said. President Monson explained why such powerful feelings mark this season of the year:

“With the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment, a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, he came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During his earthly ministry, he taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world.”

The Lord’s example of serving, giving, and helping, President Monson added, must be carried on by us today. There is time, he concluded, “to extend the helping hand, the loving heart and the willing spirit for the benefit of our Heavenly Father’s children. As we serve him in this way, we shall surely find him. In fact, he may come to us as one unknown, without a name, as of old he came by the lakeside to those men who knew him not. He speaks the same words, ‘Follow thou me,’ and sets us to the tasks which he has for us to fulfill in our time. He commands, and to those who obey him, whether they be wise or simple, he will reveal himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings by which they shall learn in their own experience who he is.”

Jerold D. Ottley conducted the Tabernacle Choir during the program, and the choir was accompanied by organists Robert Cundick and John Longhurst. The devotional was carried live over the Church satellite network to hundreds of meetinghouses in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Church members gathered in hundreds of meetinghouses to hear the Christmas devotional broadcast from the Tabernacle on Temple Square. At the devotional, President Ezra Taft Benson and President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, encouraged members to follow the Savior’s example by serving others. (Photography by Philip S. Shurtleff.)