Merry Christmas- The Greatest Good

Merry Christmas! 

Christmas has always been special to me. I loved Christmas when I was young, and it was the same when you were all young. It has always been special and your excitement made it even more so. I miss Christmas with you in the US, but it is special here as well, but not the same without you.

We don't have much to buy you presents, and haven't had for some time. But I can still do the greatest good for each of you. What is the greatest good a father can do for his children and they for theirs? 

This year I want to express my love for each of you by doing the greatest good I can do for you, something that took a long time for me to learn and experience.

What is this greatest good? When I think of the greatest good, I think of what the Lord revealed to Joseph: "...proclaim His gospel.... And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord." Christ stands between you and justice

You may think you don't need me to proclaim the gospel to you. Why should you listen to me? You shouldn't, but you should listen to God's voice in His words (D&C 18:11-17; 25; 33-37). 

Christ is the Gospel, the good news. His Gospel is not something we live, but we can believe what He teaches us about His gospel (3 Nephi 27:13-21).

Book of Mormon prophet-writers often exclaim of the greatness and of the goodness of God!  In the scriptures this praise of God is almost exclusively associated with God's plan of redemption, with such words as "the great plan of mercy" or "the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!"

In other words I do the greatest good by using His words to proclaim His gospel. 

As Oliver Cowdrey said: One word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity strikes everything else into insignificance. 

So I use His words to proclaim His gospel of mercy in hopes that it will cause you to rejoice in His mercy and grace! 

We choose either justice or mercy. 

Alma's use of the word of God to teach His son about justice or mercy is an example of the greatest good a father can do, so I share His words with you with the hope that you will desire His mercy and avoid His justice--which I pray for each of you continuously. Please read what Alma taught concerning justice or mercy and how we can obtain His mercy and avoid being judged of our works, good or bad. Please share, if so inclined, with your... more 

Love, Dad

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