The Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas (Talk delivered Dec 2009)

I gave this talk in sacrament meeting two years ago at Christmas. It was never properly footnoted, and I added about five minutes speaking about hope on the day - those comments are not included here, since they weren't recorded.

The Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas

With how busy things have been for me lately, it took until last night for me to really feel like Christmas was close. Planes, training, and assessment seemed to get in the way. But last night, as I sat at my computer and finally started to make sense of things that had been going through my head... that was the first time this season I felt like Christmas was coming. I can tell you that the city centers of Brisbane and Melbourne are filled with lights, tinsel and trees, and that musicians and choirs can be found singing carols or Christmas songs throughout the day. But in my travels, the simple significance of the season was missing. Last night, listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "O Holy Night", and pondering over what the Lord would have me focus on today... took away the trimmings and the trappings. I read these words from Pres. Uchtdorf's recent Christmas Devotional address:

"All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting, but if that’s all we see, then we’re missing something that’s in plain sight. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we become so preoccupied with responsibilities, commitments, and the stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts that which is essential and most sacred."

I hope to speak simply about a most significant subject. I pray that the Spirit might be with, and help me, as I do so.

Christmas is, of course, a time where focus on Christ throughout the world is increased. It is a time where we do find many people thinking more of others, reaching out to those in need, and generally embracing what is referred to as the Christmas spirit. Today, I thought we might speak about the Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas, but we will do so from the perspective of the scriptural Christmas.

First, Watchfulness.

In the 3rd book of Nephi we read of those among the Nephites who remembered well the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite regarding the birth of Christ. We read:

 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.

Though those Nephites looked forward to the birth of Christ, and we look back, there is little difference. Don't we also watch for signs that will come to show that our faith is not vain? Don't we also look forward to the return of Christ, watching for the passing of the Bridegroom? As in the parable of the 10 virgins, don't we watch ourselves, striving to be counted as one of the wise, rather than foolish virgins?

Though we should always be watchful, Christmas may help remind us of this constant need. As we consider the incredible gift of a Saviour, we can be alerted through the Spirit as to how we can do better, be better. King Benjamin pleads with us:

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. 

Second, Fear.

I'm going to open up to the 2nd chapter of Luke, verses 8 through 11:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

It may seem strange for me to stop and talk here about fear, particularly since the angel speaks reassuringly to the shepherds to "fear not". But this fear should rightly be considered a fruit of the spirit of Christmas. The scriptures remind us that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Of this fear, Elder McConkie wrote:

"Sore afraid!" - Holy fear; ... the fear that leads to spiritual progression; the fear that enlarges the soul."

Also, in Isaiah, chapter 60:

  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  Then thou shalt see... and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged.

Whether it takes an angelic visitation, a piercing comment, or a whisper of the Spirit, Holy fear is a positive for us. It causes us to take stock of our direction, and motivates us to change. This is very different to the fear of the wicked, which causes us to run away, or avoid, or shrink from. Holy fear motivates us to be like the Saviour whose birth we celebrate at this time, who in the Garden of Gethsemane chose to drink the bitter cup of the Atonement, and not shrink.

Third, Urgency.

This is not the same as stress, nor is it the same as busyness. Rushing about buying presents may feel urgent, but it is not a Fruit of the Spirit of Christmas!

After the angels had departed from the shepherds, they decided to go and see the baby Saviour. The scriptures then said of the shepherds that "they came with haste". Having recognized the importance of what had occurred, they made it a priority to see the Lord as soon as was possible. There was no procrastination, no um-ing and ah-ing. Instead, their language and activity was, "Let us go now!"

At Christmas, and throughout the year, we should thus remember the scripture:

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

It is easy, in the busyness of commercial Christmas, to lose focus on what matters most. But, if we will consider what the true priorities are, and then feel a sense of urgency to get them done, we can remember and be blessed by the Lord's promise to us:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fourth, Joy.

Continuing on from the account of the Shepherds in Luke, we read:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Good tidings, of great joy. A Saviour is born.

Joy is more than just a good feeling. It is more than mere happiness. Joy is defined as peace with God. When we say peace, we mean harmony, unity, one-ness. Sin and death separate us from God. But a Saviour was prepared from the beginning, so that at-one-ment, atonement, would be made for each and every one of us. No wonder the angel declared that he brought good tidings of great joy - for without Jesus Christ, there could not have been joy.

In order to feel joy, we must be striving for unity with God. We do this in following Christ's example of meekness - to do what God wants rather than what we want. As we do this, the promised companionship of the Holy Ghost becomes active and stronger in our lives. In Galatians we read that “...the fruit of the Spirit is joy”.

Don't be content with a Merry Christmas. Look for a Joyous Christmas. Look for a Spiritual Christmas. Feel strongly the significance of the good tidings of great joy.

Fifth, Adoration.

Leonardi Da Vinci painted the famous Adoration of the Magi. This painting shows the Wise Men - also know as the Magi - coming to worship the baby Jesus. The painting also shows the rich gifts that the Wise Men brought with them to offer to Jesus. As far as Christmas is concerned, this is the reference in the scriptures to our tradition of giving gifts to each other during the holiday.

But note that the gifts were only part of what occurred with the wise men. First, they fell down and worshipped the Christ.

To worship God is to give Him our love, reverence, service, and devotion. The gifts of the Wise Men may have demonstrated love, but were only a small part of worshipping the Saviour. Our gifts to each other may demonstrate our love for some of our fellow men and women, but they cannot replace the need for us to truly serve and love each other. In doing so, we are reminded of the words of King Benjamin:

...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

If we love God, we strive to keep His commandments.

If we reverence God, we seek His counsel in all things.

If we serve God, then we serve all those around us.

If we are devoted to God, then we persevere with all these things, even when it seems difficult or inconvenient.

That is worship. That is adoration.

Watchfulness, Holy Fear, Urgency, Joy, Adoration: These are some of the fruits of the Spirit of Christmas.

As I wrap up, consider this: A gift from a friend or family member, we simply call a gift or present. A gift from God, we generally call a blessing. The word blessing comes from a word which means "to consecrate or make holy with blood". Though we remember the birth of Christ at this time, the gift and blessing to each of us are found in how he lived his life, in the perfect atonement he wrought, and in his victory over death. His blood, shed for us, makes us whole. Remember that gift.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Building Zion [Talk given 13 Nov 2011]

Building Zion

If everyone listening today would indulge me for a moment, I’d like to ask a question that I hope you will seriously consider. What are the five most important things you would like to accomplish in your life?[1] Some common answers to this question might include retiring and relaxing, or experiencing the culture in far off locales. More spiritual answers might include serving a mission, or raising children prepared to enter the temple. I mention now one thing that should be on each of our lists. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. … The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes.[2]

Relatedly, the Lord has given us this counsel and commandment:

Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish.[3]

I am confident that we, as a people, have a great desire to follow the counsel of Joseph Smith, and to be obedient to the Lord’s command. If the building up of Zion is to be our greatest object in this life, what is Zion, and how do we build it up?

While the scriptures use the word Zion to designate several different places or groups of people, the Zion that must be built up is most importantly a condition or state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members. The Lord defines that state as being “pure in heart”.[4] Even though we are not yet a people pure in heart, Zion is also used as a reference to the church as we do those things we are able to in the building up of a worthy Zion society.

There have been Zion societies that have existed on this earth prior to our day. Three known to us are: the city of Enoch, the people of Melchizedek, and the society of the Nephites and Lamanites after the Lord appeared to them following his resurrection. By considering the state that they were in, we find some common principles and activities that will allow us all to help build up Zion.

Unity

Of the people of the city of Enoch, we have these words:

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind...[5]

The unity to be built for Zion is of two parts: a unity of heart or desire, and a unity of mind or thought.

Unity of desire can only come by yielding our wills to that of the Lord, as He patterned when he surrendered His will to the Father’s. "I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will."[6] For us to be able to truly say, "Not my will, but thine, be done," [7] our worldly hearts must be broken[8] and replaced with a new heart,[9] even a pure heart patterned after the Lord’s.[10] This is the mighty change of heart, the natural man becoming spiritual[11] after truly receiving the Holy Ghost. This is the change that the people of King Benjamin experienced, saying that they had "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."[12] There at the temple, they expressed their willingness to enter into a covenant of obedience to God's will.[13] By keeping that covenant of obedience, they and we are qualified to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Thus we see the need for the ordinances and the sanctifying effect of the Holy Spirit if we are to replace our desires with God's.

Unity of mind or thought requires, as with the heart, a total change. In Babylon, or the world as we know it, the law of jungle is followed. Thus, the belief that every man prospers according to his genius, and every man conquers according to his strength.[14] In every facet of life people take advantage of one another; they lie, cheat, steal, and dig a pit for their neighbour.[15] The abhorrent adjunct to this is the belief that there is no harm in such an approach![16] No wonder the Lord has said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways..."[17] It is the Lord's way of thinking that we are to emulate, and so we must watch our thoughts[18] and bridle our passions;[19] we must let virtue garnish our thoughts,[20] and we must let our minds rest upon the solemnities of eternity.[21] We learn a leading lesson from the story of the sons of King Mosiah. Once they had gone about seeking to destroy the church.[22] After their change of heart, though, we learn that they could not bear the thought that any human soul could perish.[23] If we are to build Zion, we too must "[seek] the interest of [our neighbours], and [do] all things with an eye single to the glory of God.”[24] Our thoughts have to transcend the typically myopic inner monologue, and join in the dynamic divine dialogue.

Unity is a requirement to build up Zion. A change in our desires and in our thoughts is required for that unity, but we must also consistently and deliberately work with each other. We see this in the pattern of presidency in the church. A president or a bishop or an apostle is not a king. There is no thought of "my way or the highway". Spencer W. Kimball taught, "…we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions."[25] Thus we hear and see time and time again how our leaders seek and listen to counsel, and seek for a unanimous and unified decision attended by the sanction of the Spirit. When even one council member or counsellor is not comfortable with a decision, the leader remembers that dominion or compulsion is not the way, and instead to use the Lord's approach, even that of patience, long-suffering, gentleness, and meekness.[26] This pattern extends into the home, where the head presides by sitting in council with,[27] rather than standing in dominion over. We remember the words of the Lord, "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.”[28] Moroni further highlights the personal blessings that come from unity with the Lord:

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ… that ye become holy, without spot.[29]

Work

We've already begun to speak about this second principle. Unity for Zion requires work. Working for Zion requires unity. We see the principle of work in the account of the people of Salem, who were ruled over by Melchizedek, the great high priest. It was written of them that they "…wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven…", which heaven was explained as being united with the city of Enoch, which is Zion.[30] Wrought is an old way of saying worked, and so this was a society that worked righteousness, or, in other words, their work and activity was righteous and pleasing to the Lord. This is similar to what we read of the city of Enoch, where the people dwelt in righteousness.[31] This highlights an important point: the Lord has indeed commanded us to cease to be idle,[32] but he also indicates that, " the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish."[33] Indeed, it is clear that the Lord's definition of idleness and the world's definition of idleness are quite different: "Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness."[34] Some clarification may be necessary here. It is not wrong to provide for your family. It is not wrong to work and earn beyond the needs of your family. But in working and earning in temporal affairs, we must not forget that the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof;[35] we will be accountable for how we use the Lord's gifts to us.

We have been taught:

The responsibility for each member’s spiritual, social, emotional, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second, upon his family, and third, upon the Church. Members of the Church are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent to the extent of their ability. (See  D&C 78:13–14.)

No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able, will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will work to the extent of his ability to supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life. (See  Gen. 3:19;  1 Tim. 5:8; and  Philip. 2:12.)

As guided by the spirit of the Lord and through applying these principles, each member of the Church should make his own decisions as to what assistance he accepts, be it from governmental or other sources. In this way, independence, self-respect, dignity, and self-reliance will be fostered, and free agency maintained.[36]

Clearly, a part of building up Zion involves being self-reliant temporally, and self-reliance required work. But money can only buy the things of this world, things that will rust and corrupt and end. Much of our work must be labouring for Zion. We do this by such things as accepting and magnifying callings, by paying our tithes and generous offerings, by serving and strengthening each other such as through home or visiting teaching, and by sharing the gospel with those around us. The world increasingly glorifies material possessions while simultaneously vilifying work. We, though, understand that work is a blessing to us. Bishop Keith B McMullin said, "Work is the source of happiness, self-esteem, and prosperity."[37] Work will build Zion, so long as we remember Paul's words: "For we are labourers together with God…"[38]

With that in mind, we see the beauty beyond the beginning of self-reliance, and understand that we are to work not only for ourselves, but for the blessing of all. King Benjamin taught that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."[39] He spoke further of the ways we can work to build Zion when he said:

And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness. But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.[40]

Clearly, the work that the Lord would have us do is quite different to that of the world. This leads naturally into a third vital principle:

Consecration

The city of Enoch was described as having "no poor among them."[41] The church under Peter had "all things common",[42] as did the Nephites and the Lamanites after the ministry of the resurrected Lord among them. Of their society, we read:

And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.[43] 

We often speak of this situation as the living of the Law of Consecration. More fully, we understand consecrate to mean to set apart or dedicate something to the service of the Lord, and the Law of Consecration is "an organized way in which individuals consecrate their time, talents, and possessions to the Church to build the Lord’s kingdom and serve His children."[44] This law is a law of the celestial kingdom, and Zion can only be built up "by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom."[45] Bishop Keith B McMullin has stated, "The covenant of consecration is central to this law. We shall one day apply it in its fulness. This covenant embraces the giving of one’s time, talents, and means to care for those in need—whether spiritually or temporally—and in building the Lord’s kingdom.”[46]

While we do not yet apply the fullness of this law, it remains a requirement to build Zion. The degree to which we personally apply the law of consecration is a sacred matter to be made by seeking to understand the Lord's will for us, as well as by sustaining the inspired requests of our leaders. For those of us who have been to the temple for our endowments, we have covenanted to follow this law. In order to keep that covenant, we need to comprehend what the Lord's will is for us now, and we need to exercise faith in the capacity of our leaders.

Concerning the degree of our willingness to consecrate our time, talents and so forth to the Lord, Brigham Young taught:

If the people neglect their duty, turn away from the holy commandments which God has given us, seek their own individual wealth, and neglect the interests of the kingdom of God, we may expect to be [away from Zion] quite a time—perhaps a period that will be far longer than we anticipate.[47]

He also said that the length of time required “to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion” is strictly up to us and how we live, for creating Zion “commences in the heart of each person.”[48]

Consecration is the true fulfillment of the commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." Spencer W Kimball said:

…we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit. In the Church, we can give expression to every ability, every righteous desire, every thoughtful impulse. Whether a volunteer, father, home teacher, bishop, or neighbor, whether a visiting teacher, mother, homemaker, or friend—there is ample opportunity to give our all. And as we give, we find that “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!” (Hymns, no. 147.) And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all.[49]

Why build up Zion?

These three principles—unity, work, and consecration—are just part of the building up of Zion. But why should we want to build up Zion? Zion is the city of the living God,[50] and He will dwell there. Listen to the blessings promised for Zion and for those who seek to build it up:

And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb.[51]

And it shall be called … a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God.[52]

Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength. And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above…[53]

And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen.[54]

With such wonderful blessings held in store for the righteous in Zion, it is no wonder that we should seek to build it as the greatest object of our lives. We truly sing:

Beautiful Zion, built above;
Beautiful city that I love;

Thither I press with eager feet;
There shall my rest be long and sweet.[55]

 

[Testimony]

---

[1] Lesson 46: “Zion—The Pure in Heart”, Doctrine and Covenents and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 286.

[2] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 160–61.

[3] D&C 39:13

[4] D&C 97:21

[5] Moses 7:18

[6] D&C 19:24

[7] Luke 22:42

[8] 3 Nephi 9:20

[9] Ezek 36:26

[10] Acts 13:22

[11] Mosiah 3:19

[12] Mosiah 5:2

[13] Mosiah 5:5

[14] Alma 30:17

[15] 2 Nephi 28:8

[16] 2 Nephi 28:8

[17] Isa 55:8

[18] Mosiah 4:30

[19] Alma 38:12

[20] D&C 121:45

[21] D&C 43:34

[22] Mosiah 27:10

[23] Mosiah 28:3

[24] D&C 82:19

[25] Need reference!

[26] D&C 121:37, 41; c.f. 42-44

[27] D&C 107:85

[28] D&C 38:27

[29] Moroni 10:32-33

[30] JST Genesis 14:34

[31] Moses 7:18

[32] D&C 88:124

[33] 2 Nephi 26:31

[34] D&C 68:31

[35] 1 Cor 10:26

[36] Statement of the Presiding Bishopric, as quoted in Ensign, March 1978, p. 20

[37] Keith B McMullin, "Come to Zion! Come to Zion!", <http://lds.org/liahona/2002/11/come-to-zion-come-to-zion?lang=eng>

[38] 1 Cor 3:9

[39] Mosiah 2:17

[40] Mosiah 4:14-16, 26

[41] Moses 7:18

[42] Acts 2:44

[43] 4 Nephi 1:3

[44] "Lesson 14: The Law of Consecration," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999)

[45] D&C 105:5

[46] Keith B McMullin, "Come to Zion! Come to Zion!", <http://lds.org/liahona/2002/11/come-to-zion-come-to-zion?lang=eng>

[47] JD 11:102

[48] JD 9:283

[49] Spencer W Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart", <http://lds.org/ensign/1985/03/becoming-the-pure-in-heart?lang=eng&query=%22no+sacrifice+at+all%22>

[50] Hebrews 12:22-23

[51] 1 Nephi 13:37

[52] D&C 45:66

[53] D&C 59:3-4

[54] D&C 97:28

[55] Hymns, Beautiful Zion, Built Above, no. 44