A Christmas Miracle

By Kari Pike

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to teach the Relief Society lesson. I pondered, prayed, studied, and took seven pages of notes. I knew I had more information than time, but I felt the need to have all the notes with me…since I get so nervous I forget even my own husband’s name. Full of confidence, I set up a simple display and reached into my bag to pull out my notes. They were no where to be found. In my rush to get to church on time, I left all of my notes in the printer at home. I had two choices: panic, or retreat for a moment and offer a very humble and sincere prayer. I chose prayer (accompanied by a smidgen of panic, I must admit) and received a miracle. Here is a summary of what occurred that morning:

Who are we? Who are you? Who am I?

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…" "Wherefore, Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment…I, Jacob,…" "I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man…" Now behold, I, Jarom, write a few words…”Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.” “Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi.”

Notice in this next verse how Moroni makes it a point to stop talking about his troubles and focuses on who he really is. "Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people." Moroni shows us that he is not defined by his challenges. He continues to define himself in verse 14: And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord;

How do we come to know who we are?

Genesis 1:27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Acts 17:28- For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

As daughters of God and joint heirs with Christ, we can recognize who we are by getting to know who Christ is…and therefore come to know our Father in Heaven. We can begin learning of Christ by studying the scriptures.

John 13 - 17...In these chapters we come to know the Savior most intimately as he teaches us in the final hours of his life. If you knew you had just one day left to spend in this life...just as the Savior knew his time had come...how would you spend that time? Jesus set the ultimate example as he knelt before his apostles and washed their feet.

John 13:13 - 17 "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Then in Chapter 17 the Savior gives the great intercessory prayer. In that prayer, he prays not only for his apostles...but for every one of us and throughout that prayer, he asks several times that we may all be one just as he and the Father are one. I particularly love reading in verse 23: “and that the world may know that thou has sent me, and hast loved them, as thou loved me.” Heavenly Father loves us the same as he loves His only Begotten! Doesn’t that thought just boggle your mind!

What does it mean to be one? How are the Father and Jesus Christ one? One in purpose. How do we become one? We become one as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives. Zion is described as a place where all are united as one.

Does being united as one mean that we all have to be the same? No...
We all are different, unique individuals; each created to fulfill a special mission. Look at the instruments I have placed on the table. How are they the same? How are they different? (flute and violin...pluck strings, etc.) The pianist is going to play a C scale on the piano. Are the notes the same? What happens when a few of those notes are played in an organized fashion? (first 4 measures of “Joy to the World”) Listen to the Soprano part...bass part etc. Each an individual voice, built of individual notes...Put all the parts together...what do you get ( melody with harmony) Have you ever listened to a symphony warming up without direction or common goal? Cacophony!! But when you put it all together with a common purpose, under a common director...(play Mormon Tab/symphony CD of Joy to the World) you get a miracle!!!

Another way to come to know the Savior is through searching out and serving others. The Savior isn’t satisfied with just the 99. He wants every part...every note...every individual to complete his work and his glory. Moses 1:39...did you know that a French translation for “work”, "travailler" also translates into "masterpiece."? Behold, this is my masterpiece...wow! We are His work and His glory!