What do you want?

"What do you want?" is an important question. In various forms you've probably heard this question many times this week. Here are a few examples from my life this last week:

• What would you like for Christmas? -- my brother
• How can I help you? -- store employees
• What specialty of medicine do you want to practice? -- too many people to mention

When you really boil down the things that people ask you, more often or not they are asking what you desire. Thankfully, you and I are intelligent beings with the ability to communicate and act on our desires.  But just because we want something, doesn't mean that it is right. The world we live in is imperfect and we are subject to the pull of many influences--some good and others bad. I believe that we ourselves are fallen beings, whose desires need educating.

Some refuse to accept that one's desires can change, but the truth is we can work to change our desires with God's help. I am living proof of that. The things I want now are so different from what I wanted as a child or even from what I wanted last year. And I'm not talking about my Christmas wishlist. I'm talking about deeper, inner desires.

The transformation of desire doesn't happen without effort or without outside help. We each have the need to be reborn, to become a new and better person. This process is not completed overnight, but is gradual. It is made possible by Jesus Christ. As we trust in Him and seek His help, we can be changed to become like Him. That is one key reason why He can be called the Gift of Christmas.

Watch this video to learn more about how Jesus Christ is the Gift.

Nativities of the Nations

Christmas is in the air! I love this time of year and look forward to the lights, food, and company that come with my celebration of the birth of Christ. Last night I went to a neat activity at an LDS church in Carrollton. There were hundreds of nativities to look at, including a live nativity, and a few groups that were performing Christmas music in the chapel. As I went around looking at the nativities that were from various regions of the world, I was struck by how the interpretation of the birth of Christ varies so much from people to people, even though the story we read in the Bible is largely the same. Often the animals present, the setting, and the features of the people would change significantly from one nativity to the next. Take a look at just a few of the different nativities and see if you agree.



In your mind, which one is the most correct? For the most part, I think they're equally correct. We don't have all the details as to the birth of Christ, but it is clear to me that the details we do have fit into the context of every culture. Christ and His gospel are for all people. He is the Savior of all mankind--of every race and every culture. During this wonderful season, I hope we all remember that Christ is the true gift of Christmas.

Rocks, Fences, and Holes, Oh My!

Teenage kids + rocks + boredom = trouble. This simple formula reminds me in some ways of my own youth. Not that I ever did anything worthy of a criminal sentence, but I think we can all agree that we did things in our youth that we’re not especially proud of. The teenage years are a crucial time to mature and to learn that our choices come with consequences.

My family was on the receiving end of the "trouble" end of the equation this week, when a few teenagers went around our neighborhood throwing rocks at people’s fences from the bed of a truck. The result was well over 30 holes (two of which are in my parents’ fence) and an estimated $10,000 worth of damage. I struggle to see what would drive someone to indiscriminately throw so many rocks at fences, but I’m sure these young men found a rational reason to do so (otherwise they wouldn't have done it, right?). Within two days they were caught thanks to a neighborhood security camera.

To our surprise, on Saturday three young men came to our door. We didn't know them, but they apologized for the damage that they caused to our fence. My mom wasn't quite prepared for their visit, but she handled it very well. She thanked them for their apology and acknowledged that it was not easy for them to do that. They said they would pay for the fence to be fixed and apologized again. In what I thought was a perfect response, my mom told them she hoped this would be a turning point for them and that they would be sorry for what they did and not just for being caught.
Forgiveness is an easy word to say, but can be a hard thing to offer sincerely.

The Lord revealed these words to the prophet Joseph Smith, “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10). It helps me to remember that God willingly forgives our sins when we ask. Should we not likewise forgive those who seek forgiveness from us?  As hard as it may be, remember that forgiveness is the higher road—a road to happiness and peace.