What’s on Your List?

By Annelise Gardiner and Sam Lofgran

Church Magazines

Stop listing what you want, and start getting what you need.

What do you really want for Christmas this year? We’re talking about more than just presents—what do you really need?

A need is something that you must have to survive. At Christmastime, it can be easy to focus on just our physical wants, but what about our spiritual needs?

Needed Gifts

We know that our spirits have constant needs, that gifts like scripture study and prayer help fulfill, but our spirits also have other needs, depending on our circumstances. We’ve gathered a few stories from youth around the world who discovered what other “gifts” their spirits needed. As you read, think about what gifts your own spirit might need.

The Gift of Friends

Rhoeta M., age 15, from Idaho, USA, discovered that she needed good friends as she was investigating the Church. “When I began attending sacrament meeting, classes, and Young Women, I was instantly greeted by many friendly faces and a caring community. I was included in all the activities, and the new friends I made encouraged me to follow God’s plan. They helped me set and accomplish my spiritual goals.” After learning more from the missionaries and connecting with her friends at church, Rhoeta made the decision to be baptized. “I am so grateful to have found such good people,” she says, “and I’m blessed to have had such an excellent transition into the Church!”

The Gift of Seminary

Juan R., age 16, from Chile discovered that seminary was something that he needed. “In seminary I learn the truth, and the Spirit gives me wisdom. Anytime I feel the Spirit, I know I’m in the place where God wants me to be in that moment. This is how I feel when I’m at seminary, so I know it’s important for me to be there. I always know that going will give me answers to questions or doubts that I have.”

The Gift of Service

Julie S., age 16, from Texas, USA, discovered that she needed a calling. “I recently got called as my ward’s chorister, and it means that I absolutely have to be on time to church! This has always been a struggle for my family, and this calling not only brings me a lot of joy since I love music, but it also makes my family’s Sundays less frantic and more scheduled.”

The Gift of the Gospel

Sam D., age 19, from Turkey discovered that the thing he was missing in his life was the Church. “I was baptized at the age of 16, and after that, I started to actually live my life. Everything was more clear. I had a purpose to live.”

What Gifts Do You Need?

These youth were able find what they needed to grow their testimonies, become happier, and come closer to God. After reading their experiences, what have you noticed are some of your spirit’s needs? Make a list to help you keep track of them.

Giving and Receiving

Now that you’ve identified your spirit’s needs, how can you fill them?

Start by setting goals to achieve what you need. Setting goals is a great way to accomplish new things, and the Children and Youth program can help you get started.

Your family can be another great place to find help with filling your needs—both your immediate family and your ward or branch family. Even in Moroni’s day, a main reason for having Church meetings was to “speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls” (Moroni 6:5).

And of course, Heavenly Father wants to help you fill your spiritual needs and grow your faith in Him. If you pray to Him, He can help you identify what you need and what goals you can set.

This Christmas, don’t wait for someone else to guess what’s on your spiritual-needs wish list—set goals and give those needed gifts to yourself! But also, don’t hesitate to ask for help to reach your goals. And, since this is the season of giving, look for ways you can help others fill their spiritual needs too.

Don’t forget the Rhoetas and Sams in the world. The people around you might never know what they are missing—what they need to become happy and find their purpose—unless you share the message of the gospel with them. That’s the best gift anyone could get for Christmas!