Christmas is the season of giving in almost every corner of the world. We give gifts to one another to commemorate and remember the birth of God’s gift to his children.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:17).
There are many among our neighbors, friends and family who seek the precious gift of the Savior in their lives – often without knowing the greatness of their need. This Christmas season, may we suggest that you give something money cannot buy?
In the early days of their ministry, following the death and resurrection of Christ, Peter and John went up to the temple to worship. At the gate of the temple, they passed a man, “lame from his mother’s womb”, who asked of them alms. “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him” said,
Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (See Acts 3:1-11)
The gift offered by Peter and John to the man lame from birth was the gift of Jesus Christ, and his power to heal. But Peter did more than exercise the power of the priesthood in his behalf. He took him by the hand, lifted him and walked with him to the temple.
Though this man was healed from the bodily disability he had from birth, he was also healed in his spirit. With healthy feet and ankles he leaped and stood and went into the temple praising God. We all need to be spiritually healed by the power of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. But first, we need to be introduced to Jesus Christ, through a true and correct knowledge of his attributes, ministry and doctrine, which can be found in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ.
What better gift can we give to a friend in need than the Book of Mormon? Silver and gold we may not have, but such gifts as we have, we can freely give. When the gift of the Book of Mormon is made with love and accompanied by our simple and pure testimony of its divine origin, we introduce the Savior and the healing, strengthening power of his atonement.
In the October 2017 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson told of his missionary encounter with an African tribal king in Accra, Ghana. After an initial introduction through an interpreter, the king approached President Nelson privately and asked in perfect English: “Just who are you?” President Nelson replied, “I am an ordained Apostle of Jesus Christ.” The king asked, “What can you teach me about Jesus Christ?”
Finding that the king was a student of the Bible, President Nelson told him of the Savior’s visit to ancient America after his crucifixion and resurrection. He made a gift to the king of a copy of the Book of Mormon and read with him the account in 3 Nephi 11. As told by President Nelson,
His response lodged in my mind and heart forever: “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In the Book of Mormon, your friend or family member will receive a gift that will turn into a treasure greater than diamonds or rubies. The ones to whom you give this priceless gift will find the pathway to a knowledge of the Father’s gift of his Only Begotten Son. They will come to learn more clearly than from any other book that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of Mankind, and that he has restored his only true and living Church to the earth in this the fullness of times. They will feel his healing power in their souls.
Wrap your gift in an invitation to meet the missionaries, and offer to be there for your friend every step of the way. Be sure to share your own personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and tell of your experience in receiving a testimony.
I testify to all who read this message that the Book of Mormon is the divine word of God. I have found for myself that it is a second testament of Jesus Christ, a powerful witness that He is the Savior and Redeemer, the Son of the Living God. Through the Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost has shown me that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.
This Christmas, lead your friends and loved ones to Christ through the gift of the Book of Mormon.