LDS leaders speak of true gifts

Rather than focusing on what gifts Christmas brings, those who focus on Jesus Christ will remember his gift of resurrection and life for all and seek to succor others as he would do, top LDS leaders said Sunday.

Speaking to thousands in the LDS Conference Center, and tens of thousands on local television during the annual Christmas devotional, President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the holiday greeting, "Merry Christmas," may well be replaced with a question about need.

"'Merry' may be the wrong word. More appropriately, we might say, 'It is Christmastime. What can I do to help you? Are your burdens too heavy to carry? Is your sorrow too painful?' This world is full of sorrowful people. Many of them feel totally beaten down. They are sick. They are impoverished. Life seems hopeless. Even at this season they seem oppressed by these feelings."

President Hinckley said he often wonders what a different world it would be "if all people were treated as well as I am. How grateful I am for the kindness of people toward me."

Christmas is the embodiment of that kindness, he said, recalling the words of scripture that lauded Christ's birth with "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Though some are downtrodden, he said, Christmas is hope through Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice for all men.

Standing in the darkness of Shepherds' Field with the lights of Bethlehem in the distance, President Hinckley recalled the Savior's birth and wanted to lift his voice with that of the heavenly host, he said. "May heaven's blessings rest upon us. May the spirit of the Lord radiate from our hearts. May our love increase at this Christmas season. ... May the spirit of the babe of Bethlehem permeate our hearts with added love and peace."

The Conference Center set evoked the spirit of the season, with holiday trees, stained-glass windows, flickering lights and a fireplace setting for music provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.

President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, recalled a boyhood Christmas where giving became more important than receiving. Having told his parents he wished for an electric train — not the wind-up kind — he waited with anticipation to see if Santa made good on that wish.