December Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

During December I like to consider the events surrounding the birth of our Savior. I especially like to consider the individuals who were prepared to receive him. The wise-men, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and the shepherds were among them, but there were also those prepared to receive him in America. There were those who “began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea for the time when there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land, 3 Nephi 8:3.”
I ponder Mary who was worthy to receive angels and willing to accept any calling the Lord desired her to accomplish. “Be it unto me according to thy word.” Gabriel also told Mary about her cousin Elisabeth , past child bearing age, who was also pregnant because of a miracle. Mary was able to receive such comfort and help from Elisabeth at a time when no one else believed her. Imagine her joy when Elisabeth greeted her with the witness that she knew who Mary was and what she was soon going to accomplish. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Joseph, at this point, believed she had been unfaithful as he was willing to put her away privily. Joseph would soon learn the truth as he was one who trusted in God and in communication through dreams. What an incredible test for Joseph to think that his beloved had been unfaithful. Joseph would continue to rely on the spirit and dreams for guidance in rearing and keeping safe the Son of God. The wise-men, who represented the elite of society, learned, respected and yet focused first on the things of eternity, recognized the sign of his birth. The shepherds represented the least in society, humble and ever ready to receive the Savior.
Joseph, Mary and Elisabeth all had their faith greatly tested. We are told that all who hope to have the same glory as the ancients will also need to prove they will “serve Him at all hazards, TPJS, p. 150.” You can’t prove that, unless your faith is truly tried. As you go through your individual tests some may believe you are being chastened by God because of great sin, as they did Job, when you really being tested, refined and prepared for that which lies ahead.
How do we better prepare to receive him as women and how do we support others who are in the midst of difficult challenges? We, like the ancients, need to learn how to take the spirit for our guide and become well versed in prophecy. I love the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 9:21: “And this is mine everlasting covenant that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness, and the earth shall tremble with joy; and the general assembly of the church of the first-born shall come down out of heaven, and possess the earth, and shall have place until the end come. And this is mine everlasting covenant with thy father Enoch.” May we live up to our potential and fulfill our divine appointments as women called to prepare the world to receive Him.

Love, Vicki Robinson