Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Forty-Four
A Christmas Message - Two Tests that Determine True Worth
Many things compete for our time and attention – This is true year around but it is especially true at Christmas. We do not have time to take advantage of everything that is worthwhile and positive let alone all the things that have little or no worth which, in many cases, can be detrimental or even destructive. Therefore, we must know how to determine the true worth of all things. There are two questions or tests which will help us do that.
Does it have life? – After the destruction of the Nephite civilization, Moroni wrote to warn the people of the latter days not to follow the same course the Nephites did. Moroni had a vision of the latter days and could say, “I know your doing” (Mormon 8:34-35). He warned us of pitfalls and asked rhetorical questions we should now answer for ourselves. (See Mormon 8: 23-41).
One of the questions is: “Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not” (Mormon 8:39)?
We learn from this that things which have no life do not have the same eternal value as things that have life. The works of God have life, and because He is eternal they are eternal also. A man and a woman can bring a new born child into the world. But it is the spirit that gives life to the child’s mortal body, and the spirit comes from God. This principle applies all living things. Mortal man by himself cannot create life, not in a test tube, or in a laboratory, or in a workshop, or anywhere else. Life is the greatest gift of God.
Things that have no life are man-made and temporary in nature and includes every man-made possession. Moroni observes that people in the latter days will adorn themselves with things which have no life such as clothing and jewelry. In our world material possessions, things which have no life, often take precedence over people who are hungry, and needy, and naked, and sick, and afflicted. (See Mormon 8:39)
When something is shared does it increase or decrease? – Things of a temporal or mortal nature when shared are diminished and divided. For example, if we have a dollar and divide it in half then we will have fifty cents. The same can be said of all material things. If we divide them we will have less. This isn’t necessarily negative because often we fill our lives with more material things than we need or can use. By sharing we bless ourselves and others.
However, if we possess things of an eternal nature when we share them we have more than before. As we share our love our capacity to love is increased, and we have more to share the next time. This is true of all spiritual virtues. If we share our faith by bearing testimony, our faith and testimony is increased. If we are kind, others usually will reciprocate, and kindness is increased all around. Lighting someone else’s candle of knowledge does not decrease our candle but it increases light in the house. Shakespeare, in speaking of mercy, said it so well:
“The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
’Tis mightiest in the mightiest…
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.”
We keep Christmas year-round by caring for the needy and putting people over things –
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed the? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, he have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:37-40).
We keep Christmas year-round by developing and sharing Christ-like virtues including:
“And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
“Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, charity, humility, diligence.
“Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen” (D&C 4:5-7).
If we always make people more important than material things, and if we develop and share things of an eternal nature, we will then be prepared to live where all things are eternal.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Larry and Susan Lunt