Editor's Table: Christmas Greeting from the First Presidency

EDITOR'S TABLE. CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. with thanksgiving and rejoicing that under such favor- It is able circumstances of the Church and people as we now enjoy, we greet through the Era, the Seventies, and the young men and women of the Latter-day Saints, on this Christmas holiday, the day generally celebrated as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It matters not whether it be the actual day or not, this we do know, that our Redeemer lives, and that the prophetic utterance of Isaiah is f ulfiled "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined .... For unto us a child isborn,untousaSonis given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." As men rejoice in the harvests, so the Saints rejoice in this knowledge. The goodness of Jesus extends to all generations, and he has not forgotten the people of the latter-days, for we testify that he appeared in the heavens unto Joseph the Prophet, and made known his will concerning our day; as a result, his Church has been established, and the Latter-day Saints have been made partakers of its blessings and learned to know his will. As a people, we owe to him deep gratitude for the spiritual and temporal liberty which we enjoy; and especially do the young people have cause to glorify his name for the deliverance of their parents from the bondage of the old world, whereby they have become free. Well may they declare that the prophetic vision of Isaiah is ful- filed in them: "Thou hast broken asunder the yoke of their bur.

EDITOR'S TABLE. 141 den, the scourge of their shoulders, and the staff of their oppres- sors?" In restoring the gospel, making known his will, founding the Church of Christ, and making us through his mercy partakers and members, we are blessed beyond measure. Let us, then, during this holiday season, when the mission and life of our Savior is spe- cially made prominent, consider the magnitude of the service and the gratitude that we owe to him and to the Church which he has established. Even if individually we may not have all the good things that others enjoy, we have some things that are better than temporal blessings— a testimony of the truth, a standing and membership in the Church of Christ. This is a time to cast aside envy, and bitter feeling, and complaining, and to remember the lowliness of Jesus, who was born in poverty, and who, as he grew to manhood, found little welcome in this world. It is a time to gratefully count the blessings we enjoy, and to be contented, as he was; to pray for others who are less fortunate than we, and to remember the poor to whom the day may bring a smaller measure of joy than to us. It is a day to lend a helping hand to the dis- appointed, the sick, the sorrowing, the discouraged and the weary; and to carry a little gladness to some one who but for us would go unblessed. And further to remember that the gospel teaches us to feel and act in this spirit under all conditions and during every day of our lives. All the summer through our young men have been scattered over the land gathering the temporal blessings with which we are so bountifully surrounded. The ranges have fed our flocks and herds, and the increase is abundant; the rains and mountain streams have copiously furnished the soil of the valleys with mois- ture; the fields have been laden with the burden of rich harvests; the trees of the orchards have hung heavy with ripened fruits ; the factories have been busy; our mines, villages, towns and cities, have echoed with the songs of industry; trade has flourished, and unto the uttermost bounds of Zion plenty has smiled upon the land. With all these temporal blessings it is not pleasing to the Lord that men should selfishly forget their source, nor turn deaf ears to the calls set forth in the gospel of Christ. Neither is it

142 IMPROVEMENT ERA. pleasing to him that we should become mercenary, overstepping the bounds of wisdom in speculations and unwise investment, with a view to further selfishly enriching ourselves. He delights in mod- eration and in a spirit of unselfishness and love for our fellows. But, you say, What would you have us do? We would have you aim to perfect your character in conformity with the life and teachings of Christ. We would have you attend to your duties in the Church, because in this way you will be helped to live Christ- like. We would have you awaken to the spiritual, and have that go hand in hand with the temporal, because that is the way to grow and develop into a perfect life and character. We would have you understand that your spirit is eternal and that the inspira- ; tion and energy of the Spirit of God, supplemented by your will and purpose, your habits and actions, are the sources of your char- acter. We would have you understand that your surroundings, and the knowledge which you obtain during the first thirty years of your lives, are supremely important; character is formed in that period. We would have you so live, and so order your en- vironment during this period that you may form noble characters, and so become good Latter-day Saints. We have no hesitancy in declaring that the gospel of Christ, as taught by the Church in its gatherings, quorums, associations and homes, will aid you in building such characters. We are certain that the Church, its quorums and organizations will act as health- ful environments to aid you in forming good characters. We, therefore, appeal to you to join in the labors of the Church with spirit. Begin your service by determining to become an active and obedient worker, and by giving cheer this day to some one who is discouraged. Make real to someone the sweetness and warmth of the love of Christ, so that a new vision of the Divine love may find source in your heart. Live less selfishly, less stub- bornly, and be more faithful and helpful than heretofore. In such a life of love and service you shall find closer companionship with the Spirit of Christ, and form a character of everlasting beauty and worth. You shall become saviors in very deed upon Mount Zion, and prepare yourselves not only to enrich your own lives and char- acters, but also to fulfil the duty that rests upon the Saints to de-

: EDITOR'S TABLE. 143 liver to all the nations of the world, in spirit and with power, the gospel message entrusted to the Church "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, we remain, your fellow laborers, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund.