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The Nativity as depicted in Bible Videos of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By William Matheson, Church News
The following quotes are testimonies about Jesus Christ and Christmas from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
First Presidency
President Russell M. Nelson
“[Jesus Christ’s] birth occurred in humble circumstances among the animals. There the ‘Lamb of God’ (John 1:29) was born during Passover season among animals being prepared for paschal sacrifice. And one day, He would be ‘brought as a lamb to the slaughter’ (Isaiah 53:7). He was both the Lamb and the Shepherd. ...
“From His example, He taught that we, too, can arise from the depths of our individual challenges — our sadness, weakness and worries — to reach the heights of our own glorious potential and divine destiny. All this is possible by virtue of His mercy and grace” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 2020).
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor
“Christmas is a time to remember that we are all children of a Father in Heaven who gave His Only Be- gotten Son that all would be redeemed from death and who has offered the blessings of salvation and exalta- tion to all mankind on the same conditions” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 2022).
President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor
“[Jesus Christ] towers above us, and yet the events surrounding His mortal birth draw from us a feeling of His being close to us. He chose to come down from His throne at the right hand of the Father to take upon Him mortality. He did it out of love for every son and daughter of His Father who would be born into the world. He did it out of love for you — and for me” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 5, 2021).
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Statues of the Nativity in the reflection pool East of the Salt Lake Temple, 2019.Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President
“I submit that unless we see all the meaning and joy of Christmas the way old Simeon saw it all — the whole of Christ’s life, the profound mission, the end as well as the beginning — then Christmas will be just another day off work with food and fun and football, and a measure of personal loneliness and family sorrow for some. The true meaning, the unique, joyous meaning of the birth of this baby was not confined to those first hours in Bethlehem but would be realized in the life He would lead and in His death, in His triumphant atoning sacrifice and in His prison-bursting Resurrection. These are the realities that make Christmas joyful” (Pembroke College Chapel at the University of Oxford, Nov. 25, 2018).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Let us never forget that we are disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, the living Son of the living God. To truly honor His coming into the world, we must do as He did and reach out in compassion and mercy to our fellowmen. This we can do daily, by word and deed. Let this become our Christmas tradition, no matter where we are — to be a little kinder, more forgiving, less judging, more grateful and more generous in sharing our abundance with those in need” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 3, 2017).
“The account of the first Christmas in the Book of Mormon helps us to learn and more fully understand that Jesus Christ is the ‘light which shineth in darkness’ (Doctrine and Covenants 10:58). In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 2015).
Elder David A. Bednar
“The account of the first Christmas in the Book of Mormon helps us to learn and more fully understand that Jesus Christ is the ‘light which shineth in darkness’ (Doctrine and Covenants 10:58). In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 2015).
Elder Quentin L. Cook
“Christmas is the ideal time for us to praise and proclaim [Jesus Christ] — to show our gratitude, to express our joy, and to celebrate Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, by following His example and spreading His light to others” (Five Way to Light the World This Christmas,” “Liahona,” Dec. 2022).
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
“I think it is appropriate this time of year to just think about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too over- whelmed or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of His life — the culmination of heavenly prophecy but the earthly beginning for Him” (“Be at Peace,” “Ensign,” Dec. 2015).
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A depiction of the Nativity from the Bible Videos of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Neil L. Andersen
“In our times of uncertainty, in our days of trouble and difficulty, in our struggles, let us be faithful. Jesus came that holy night. He is the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings. He lives, and ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in [Him] tonight.’ I witness that as we are righteous, all our tears of sorrow, difficulty and uncertainty will be met and made right in Him, the beloved Son of God” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 2022).
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
“Each year at Christmas, we add our witness to that of the shepherds that Jesus Christ, the literal Son of the living God, came to a corner of the earth in what we call the Holy Land. ...
“I know that His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the babe born in Bethlehem, is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. These words of praise speak truth in my ears: ‘Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth, goodwill to men” (Facebook post, Dec. 19, 2019).
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
The gift of God’s Only Begotten Son is why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas means lasting hope and peace made possible through the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection wrought out of love for us. Christmas means everlasting life and eternal reunions made possible through sacred ordinances performed in holy temples” (“Christmas Means Hope, Peace, and Love,” “Liahona,” Dec. 2023).
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A painting by Jon McNaughton depicts Shepherds looking at the Christ child in a cave.Elder Dale G. Renlund
“I know that I will not be able to hold that little baby Jesus in my arms, but I know, just as well as Simeon knew, that that baby was the Son of God, my Savior and your Savior, my Redeemer and your Redeemer” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 5, 2021).
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
“For many of us, Christmas is a joyful season. At the same time, some of us can feel alone, lost, isolated or sad.
“Let us celebrate Christmas this year by following Jesus Christ to do all we can to make sure there is room in His inn for each of us.
“As we do so, we will find the true meaning of Christmas” (Facebook post, Dec. 13, 2021).
Elder Ulisses Soares
“As we search for the Savior in all we do, Christmas won’t be just a day or a season but will be a condition of heart and mind, and the joy and love felt at Christmas will always be near. I testify that Jesus Christ, the infant born in Bethlehem, is in fact the Savior and Redeemer of the world” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 8, 2019).
Elder Patrick Kearon
“As this Christmas approaches, let us do more of what matters and much less of what doesn’t. Let us seek to do the works of Jesus of Nazareth — lift up the sorrowing, heal the brokenhearted, visit the prisoners, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give voice to the voiceless, the marginalized, the forgotten and the despised” (First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 8, 2019).
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