Lesson Helps

December 2017 Visiting Teaching and First Presidency Messages

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This month's messages remind us of the Savior, His birth, and the Spirit of Christ, which we can invite into our life not only during the Christmas season but for the whole year.

Visiting Teaching Message

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness,” said President Thomas S. Monson. “We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “A great change began in your heart when you came into the Church. You made a covenant, and you received a promise that began changing your very nature. …

“… You promised that you would help the Lord make [others’] burdens light and be comforted. You were given the power to help lighten those loads when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.”2

“We want to use the light of the gospel to see others as the Savior does—with compassion, hope, and charity,” said Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President. “The day will come when we will have a complete understanding of others’ hearts and will be grateful to have mercy extended to us—just as we extend charitable thoughts and words to others. …

“Our obligation and privilege is to embrace improvement in everyone as we strive to become more like our Savior.”

Read the full message on lds.org.

Additional Reading Suggestion:"Kindness—A Part of God's Plan" by Betty Jo N. Jepsen

First Presidency Message

To all who wish to understand who we are as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would like to offer a starting point defined by these three words: We seek Christ.

We seek to learn of Him. To follow Him. To become more like Him.

Every day throughout the year, we seek Him. But especially at this time of the year—Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our beloved Savior—our hearts are ever more inclined to Him.

As part of our preparations for celebrating Christmas, let us consider how those who lived two millennia ago were ready to welcome the arrival of the Savior.

Read the full message on lds.org.

Additional Reading Suggestion: "The Star, the Savior, and your Heart," by Sister Sue Clark

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