A Christmas Message

Seminary Amigos:

A few thoughts from my study of John over the past few days.

In John chapter 1 we read of the invitation given by Christ to Andrew and John. Elder Holland summarized this event as follows:

"When Andrew and John first heard Christ speak, they were so moved they followed Him as He walked away from the crowd. Sensing He was being pursued, Jesus turned and asked the two men, "What seek ye?" They answered, "Where dwellest thou?" And Christ said, "Come and see." The next day He found another disciple, Philip, and said to him, "Follow me."4 Just a short time later He formally called Peter and others of the new Apostles with the same spirit of invitation. Come, "follow me,"5 He said."

We begin to sense something of how powerfully the Savior taught as his words moved his disciples to have faith in Him, and act righteously. The invitation described by Elder Holland above and given twice in John chapter 1 is "come and see." This was the same invitation given to shepherds who "watched their flocks by night" - remember this event is described in Luke 2:

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

The shepherds were invited to "come and see." Consider also how this invitation was given to Nephi in 1 Nephi 11:

"And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow."

The Spirit invited Nephi to draw nearer to God, or to "come". The invitation to "look" is an invitation to "see".

This is the same invitation He extends to us today.

Furthermore, this is the invitation we extend to the world. What do we believe? How do we live? What do we learn in seminary? To all (2 Nephi 26:24), our invitation is: come and see. My beloved brothers and sisters, this Christmas and every day, let us come unto the Savior, and He will help us see.

Hail, the newborn Prince of Peace

Christmas time is here.

A special thank you to all who participated in our Seminary Nativity. Outstanding performances were given all around. You all look lovely with bath towel accoutrements.
Please remember our schedule for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: Luke 24 w/Bro. Brooks
Thursday: Scripture Mastery w/Bro. Brooks
Friday: Seminary Christmas Party! (bring food and friends)

Have a wonderful Christmas break and remember our class reading assignment to read the Gospel of John during the break.

Be strong. The Church is true!

December 15 - December 19

Queridos:

Our schedule for this last week of class before the Christmas. Thank you for your participation and for the Spirit which you bring to class with you through your worthiness.

Monday, December 15: Mark 16
Tuesday, December 16: Matthew 28
Wednesday, December 17: Luke 24
Thursday, December 18: Mark 16, Matthew 28, Luke 24
Friday, December 19: Christmas Throw-Down

Have a lovely weekend.

December 8 - December 12

Our schedule this week:

Monday, December 8: Matthew 26
Tuesday, December 9: Matthew 27
Wednesday, December 10: Mark 14/15
Thursday, December 11: Luke 23
Friday, December 12: Scripture Mastery Festival

Special note: This will hopefully be one of the mostly important weeks of the year as we discuss the atonement of our Savior. Thanks for your spirituality, preparation, punctuality, and attentiveness.