15.12.20

So, this week I was asked to give a talk for sacrament meeting while moving to the second hour of classes. After some frantic searching, pondering, and a bit of prayer, I decided that it was the perfect time to talk about gifts. I ended up using a rough outline with scripture references to give the talk, and it was all in Korean, so the following is a rough translation of something close to what I said:
As everybody knows, Christmas is drawing near. With that, I've thought a lot about Christmas lately -- especially Santa Claus! In particular, I've thought about the relation that Santa has to Jesus Christ. Santa is a benevolent giver, full of love. He gives us gifts, not out of obligation or duty, not because his relationship is that of a parent, friend, or anything else, but simply because he is full of joy and love. There is a direct correlation here with Jesus Christ. He suffers and bleeds, works and lives for us. He doesn't have to do it, but he willingly does so, because He loves us. I believe it is because of this relationship that humankind has such a deep love of Santa Claus.
On the topic of gift giving, what is the greatest gift ever given?
I propose the answer is Jesus Christ, Himself.
Jesus Christ is a gift to mankind, from a loving Father in Heaven. In the Bible we read, 

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
(John 3:16-17)

Jesus Christ is the best gift we've ever received. He is the gift of victory, the gift of redemption, the gift of a Savior. Because of Him, we are able to receive every other good gift. The ancient prophet Moroni exhorted, 

18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren,that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
(Moroni 10:18)

Thanks to Jesus Christ, we can receive the gift of hope, the gift of faith, and especially the gift of charity -- pure, Christlike love. And yet, there is still one more gift that must be mentioned: the gift of eternal life. Eternal life is the most magnificent gift Christ makes possible, and in God's own words: 

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
(Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

The question on my mind is, because I've received so many wonderful gifts and promises from God, what will I give back to Him? What can I give to God this Christmas?
Well, the ancient Israelites gave gifts (or sacrifices) of blood and flesh to God, but I don't think He wants that anymore. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ taught us what God wants from us, on Christmas and throughout our entire lives 

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. . .
(3 Nephi 9:19-20)

Why would God want our hearts? What does that do for Him? Turns out, it's does nothing for God! It doesn't increase His power, doesn't make Him more God than He already is. An ancient Nephite King explained our worldly value to God: 

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you,and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
(Mosiah 2:21-24)

We don't profit God. (And yet, how incredible is it that every soul is of "great worth" to Him! Surely, His love for us is a pure father's love, and not the kind of affection we see so often in this life, shaded by position and accomplishment) Why does He want our hearts then? It turns out, giving our hearts to God blesses us! Everything God does is for our benefit, including the sometimes difficult things He requires of us. The seer Nephi explained this clearly: 

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that theyshall not partake of his salvation.
(2 Nephi 26:24)

God's purpose for us is our joy. Nephi's father taught this beyond a shadow of a doubt: 

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 . . .and men are, that they might have joy.
(2 Nephi 2:24-25)

God is love; love brings joy. He wants us to have joy; He wants us to feel His love. If you can't feel His love right now, take a moment to evaluate and reflect, and ask yourself, what is preventing me from feeling God's love right now? His love is a free gift, embodied by Christ and eternal life -- the life of God, living forever with our families. I pray that we will all give our hearts to God this Christmas, by being a little more obedient, a little more willing to sacrifice, a little more happy, a little more Christlike. 

So, that was a highlight of church for me. Our ward is rather large, so missionaries don't really get the opportunity to speak, like in the smaller wards I've served in. I wish I'd had more time to prepare, but I'm confident that the Lord was able to deliver somebody's needed message, despite my weaknesses. Our investigator also came to church again, and we met after church to teach our third discussion with him this week.
This week we covered a lot of the commandments; he's almost finished taking all of the discussions now. We went from following our modern prophet, to obeying the 10 commandments and the law, to keeping the law of chastity and preparing for temple marriage, to keeping the Sabbath Day holy and paying tithing. He's so committed to the gospel now that he's recognized his answer from God. Whenever we commit him to live a commandment, he acts like it's obvious, responding with something like, "Of course!" We reviewed the baptismal interview questions, and he can answer every single one with confidence. Unless we have to change the date because of his schedule, he'll be baptized on January 1st, likely the first baptism in Korea for the year of 2016.
The rest of our week was consumed with meetings, freezing in the cold while trying to share some Christmas cheer, and practicing for the missionaries' skit for the ward Christmas party. As always, it's a blast to be a missionary, and an honor to have a chance to help the ward. Sorry for the short letter; this week felt like that: short!

Merry Christmas,
Elder Austin Lynn