Ely Family: December 2016

I have been able to slip under the radar so to speak as far as giving talks (other than coming in and out of presidencies) for about 20 plus years. I don't know how I've been able to do this but I have been able to until just recently.

I have been speaking in front of many people for over 11 years now and I would have thought that would help me, in addition to the fact that I have known and been friends with the ward members for many many years. Although, I still feel uncomfortable giving the announcements in front of so many people on the plane. In fact I still get nervous sometimes. I have come to the conclusion that for a Sacrament Meeting talk since we are all at different levels in our ability to feel comfortable let alone not faint while speaking, that we should forego, abstain, renounce, refrain, cease, discontinue, halt, and STOP giving those unsolicited and very much unwanted "helpful criticisms" of , "be sure to look at the audience", and "smile". This talk is neither graded or judged, we are not in school or at our job. For some people in fact it is all we can do to stay at the podium and deliver the talk without crying uncontrollably (because of fear), fainting, vomiting, or run out of the church building. This might even be the case for people who do not seem like they are even shy at all. Like me... At any rate... I made it through the talk without any of these unwanted things happening (except for the unwanted criticisms after the talk).

As I was sitting on the stand before I gave my talk the man who was sitting next to me and going to be giving his talk next leaned over to me and said some encouraging words to me and then he said something to me that was so tender and Christlike, I will never forget them. It was simple but so profound. He said that he would be praying for me as I was giving my talk. That touched me so much. I felt the love of my Savior and Heavenly Father right then and I certainly needed that strength. At times in my talk I could barely make it through because I was so incredibly nervous but then, I could feel a calm come over me that I KNOW was sent directly from heaven, from the Holy Ghost. I was so thankful.

Here is my talk:

Good morning. I was asked to speak this morning on a talk by President Uchtdorf which was given December of 2010 for the Christmas devotional entitled “Seeing Christmas through New Eyes”.

President Uchtdorf shares that, “There are certain words that ring like bells in my soul and remind me of the beauty and meaning of Christmas—words such as “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus”1 and, of course, “Joy to the World!” “Away in a Manger,” and “Silent Night.”

I would like to add some words that I love to hear as well, from Luke chapter 2 verse 10, we hear, And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT joy, which shall be to ALL people.

I love how the words “fear not” were the first words the angel said. I think those words were chosen with great care and were significant and comfort for those he was speaking to then as well as to us now.

Since we live in a fallen world there has always been much to fear, however, as strong and sometimes relentless the fear is, Heavenly Father gives us knowledge and light exponentially. And with the knowledge and light, side effects and or dividends of truth, warmth and comfort are given. But to receive the strength, comfort guidance and many more gifts that our Heavenly Father wants to give us, we need to actively seek His Son Jesus Christ.

We have many heroes and mentors to look up to on earth now and in the past but there is none that has the healing and saving power of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I also wanted to draw attention that the angel used the word GREAT to describe of the word joy. I think that extra word of GREAT is significant. Our loving Heavenly Father desires for us to have GREAT joy. And sent His son. The greatest gift that He could give to us.

I was also impressed with the percentage of people that were included in this proclamation/promise It did not require any math at all which is another reason to rejoice. The amount of people this message was intended for was ALL.

Other words that I love to hear during this Christmas season are Joy to the World, Glory to the new born king, silent night, holy night, and many more that are given to us from the old nostalgic hymns that we are blessed to hear and sing but once a year. In a world that at times seems so divided and pulled apart by differences it is comforting that These old hymns have a unique power that new hymns though fun to learn cannot do. The old hymns that are familiar to all have the power to bind generations no matter how old or young, regardless of geography, whether near or thousands of miles away. When those that celebrate Christmas hear or sing these songs of praise the familiarity that comes wipes away those divisions and differences. --

President Uchtdorf continues with saying, “There are other words, more cautionary, that are worthy of our consideration as well—words such as:

Every Who Down in Who-ville Liked Christmas a lot . . .
But the Grinch, Who lived just north of Who-ville, Did NOT!
The Grinch, that memorable character from a classic children’s story by Dr. Seuss, had a heart that “was two sizes too small,” and he hated everything about Christmas. Through the course of the story, however, he undergoes a dramatic transformation when he learns that there is more to Christmas than decorations and gifts.

Perhaps the Grinch’s story is so memorable because, if we are honest, we may be able to relate to him. Who among us has not felt concern over the commercialization and even greed of the Christmas season? Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the packed calendars, the stress of finding gifts, the pressure of planning meals and events? In fact, psychologists tell us that during this season of cheer and goodwill, many feel sorrow and depression.

We know what the Christmas season ought to be—we know it should be a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and of generosity. But sometimes our focus is so much on the things that annoy and overwhelm us that we can almost hear ourselves say in unison with the Grinch: “Why, for fifty-three years I’ve put up with it now! I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! . . . But HOW?”

We all have a Universal need to be loved, Elder Maxwell has a wonderful quote that helps us realize that we are known and loved by our Heavenly Father, and as usual it is packed so you need to listen carefully, “The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.”

President Uchtdorf goes on to say, “While it’s true that we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world. We, like the Grinch, can see Christmas through new eyes.

Perhaps even this year we might carve from our busy schedules some time to study and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas—personally and as families.

When we prepare for Christmas by pondering its real meaning, we prepare to experience the Christ and His message. President Uchtdorf suggests three things we may want to study, ponder, and apply in this season of preparation.

First, rejoice in the birth of our Savior. We celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the Creator, our Messiah. We rejoice that the King of kings came to earth, was born in a manger, and lived a perfect life. When Jesus was born, the joy in heaven was so great it could not be contained, and angelic hosts parted the veil, proclaiming unto shepherds “good tidings of great joy, . . . praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Wise Men “rejoiced with exceeding great joy. It is only fitting that we—like the Wise Men, shepherds, and angels—take time to rejoice and celebrate that glorious first Christmas Day.

The Second thing President Uchtdorf suggests is to ponder His influence in our lives today. The more commercialized and busy the Christmas season becomes, the easier it is for the sublime message of the Savior’s life to get lost along the way. If we notice that planning for parties and scrambling for presents begin to detract from the peaceable message of Jesus Christ and distance us from the gospel He preached, let us take a step back, slow down a little, and reconsider what matters most.

Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, and of gratitude. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties.

The Third and final suggestion President Uchtdorf gives us is to look steadfastly for His coming. The early disciples of Jesus Christ yearned for the time when He would come again. For them, mortality was a time of preparation and growth, of sifting and refining, a time for trimming their lamps and preparing for the return of their beloved Savior.

Brothers and sisters, 2,000 years later we also stand as His disciples. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The term latter-day is significant. We live and serve in a time prior to the Lord’s triumphant return. Our work is to prepare ourselves and the world for the coming of the Messiah in glory!

We live in the 11th hour before the coming of the day of our Lord. Let us therefore look forward to that blessed day when the King of kings descends with a shout,6 takes away death, dries up tears, and ushers in a new era of peace, joy, and learning.

While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking back and celebrating the birth of our Lord, President Uchtdorf suggests that it should also be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched for His coming.

If we look for what is wrong with the Christmas season, we can surely find it. Like the Grinch, we can grumble and complain, becoming cold and cynical about what we see around us. Nevertheless, if we look for the good, we can see this time of year with new eyes—perhaps even with the eyes of a child.

The Grinch saw the good in Christmas when he learned to look past its worldly trappings. If we do the same, we can, with the Grinch, proclaim: “Maybe Christmas . . . doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!”

President Benson gave a talk in the July 1989 Ensign entitled, “Born of God”. President Benson said, “the Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people and then - they take themselves out of the slums.”

President Benson goes on to say, “The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men who then change their environment. The world would change human behavior but Christ can change human nature.”

As President Uchtdorf continues, “Our heart may not grow three sizes as the Grinch’s did, but our heart will change. Our eyes will open to the miracles all around us—at Christmastime and throughout the year. I would like to bear my testimony of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for this time of year that can if we focus on the true meaning of Christmas bring families together and I am grateful for the happiness and simplicity of the plan of salvation.