SilentOne

And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; and who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. Doctrine and Covenants 138:12-15 All he did was for others—his was a life of service. There was not one selfish act. Approaching the finish of his mission here, he prayed to the Father: “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” He took upon himself the sins of all who shall repent, and gave his life that all might live. He brought about the resurrection for all. Do you realize that the creation of this earth, and all the work of Jesus and the prophets since the very beginning, was for you—that you might have immortality and eternal life—just as much as for anyone else? Eldred G. Smith

For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. 2 Nephi 26:23-24 In the atonement and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can glimpse the reality of his divine mission to redeem all who will come unto him and will honor and reverence God, our Eternal Father. We may begin to understand the depths of Christ’s love for us when we consider that he was willing to atone and suffer the pain for our sins, “which suffering caused [him], even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.” Nevertheless, he gave glory to his Father and partook and finished his preparations unto the children of men. M. Russell Ballard

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement—to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love. How gloriously sublime this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His presence! The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face-to-face. The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above all, forgiving. James E. Faust

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ. Mosiah 5:7-9 He feels what we feel; He knows our heart. It was His mission to wipe away our tears, cleanse our wounds, and bless us with His healing power. He can carry us home to our Heavenly Father with the strength of His matchless love. Margaret D. Nadauld

@Emmanuel Goldstein You're welcome. I will try to keep posting something like this every day up until Easter Sunday. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:14-17 Indeed the Atonement of the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh is the crucial foundation upon which all Christian doctrine rests and the greatest expression of divine love this world has ever been given. Its importance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cannot be overstated. Every other principle, commandment, and virtue of the restored gospel draws its significance from this pivotal event. Jeffrey R. Holland

But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit. 2 Nephi 2:24-28 His Resurrection broke what to that point had been the unyielding chains of death. He opened the path whereby each of Heavenly Father’s children born to earth would have the opportunity to rise from death to live again. How our Father in Heaven must have rejoiced that sacred day when His totally obedient, completely worthy Son shattered the chains of death. What eternal purpose would our Father’s plan of happiness have had except it be made alive through the infinite and eternal Atonement of His gloriously obedient Son? What eternal purpose would have come from the Creation of the earth, where intelligences tabernacled with spirits would receive a body, if death were the end of existence and none would be resurrected? What a glorious moment that morning was for all who understood its significance. Richard G. Scott

Another credibility gullibility experiment: SilentOne My job is to set up and maintain dating profiles for clients. I am falling in love with one of my clients' matches. There are a few others that I can still send her way. What should I do? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have personal beliefs or emotions, but I can offer you some advice on what you could do in this situation. Firstly, it's important to consider the ethical implications of pursuing a romantic relationship with a client's match. You have a professional obligation to act in your client's best interest, and if your feelings for their match compromise your ability to do so, it could be considered unethical. If you do decide to pursue a relationship with this match, you should disclose your conflict of interest to your client and allow them to decide how they want to proceed. It's possible that they may be understanding, but they may also decide to terminate their contract with you. Alternatively, you could choose to prioritize your professional obligations and continue sending potential matches to your client without pursuing a relationship with any of them. This may be the best option to avoid any ethical conflicts or potential harm to your professional reputation. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. However, it's important to consider the potential consequences of your actions and act in a way that is ethical and professional. SilentOne Who cares what is ethical and professional? How can I keep the match from realizing I'm a different person than is described on my client's profile? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I must emphasize that it's important to prioritize ethics and professionalism in any job or business. Regarding your question about keeping the match from realizing you're a different person than described on your client's profile, it's not ethical or professional to misrepresent yourself or your client's profile in any way. Doing so could lead to a breach of trust and harm to all parties involved. Instead, I would suggest being honest with your client and the match about your role and your connection to the profile. You could explain that you maintain the profile on behalf of your client and that you are not the person described in the profile. If your client's match expresses concerns about the situation, you should be transparent about any relevant information and let them make an informed decision about whether they want to continue communicating with your client or not. Remember that honesty is always the best policy, and maintaining trust and integrity in your professional relationships is essential for long-term success. SilentOne I hired a colleague to set up a profile for me, and they accidentally said that I am blond instead of brunette, that I enjoy baking when I really don't, and that I am a hairdresser. How can I let my matches know the truth without causing my colleague any embarrassment? ChatGPT It's understandable that you want to be honest with your matches, but it's also important to handle this situation delicately and professionally to avoid causing any embarrassment or harm to your colleague. One option could be to simply update your profile to reflect the accurate information. You could also include a note in your profile description acknowledging that there were some errors in the initial profile setup and that you are making changes to ensure that your profile accurately represents you. This approach would allow you to correct the mistakes without directly calling out your colleague. If you have already been matched with someone and you're communicating with them, you could use the opportunity to casually mention that there were some errors in your profile and that you're in the process of updating it. You could also use this as an opportunity to introduce yourself and provide some additional information about yourself that wasn't included in the initial profile setup. Ultimately, the key is to approach the situation with honesty and transparency while also being respectful of your colleague's work. By taking responsibility for the errors and proactively working to correct them, you can maintain the integrity of your profile and ensure that your matches have an accurate understanding of who you are.

@The Folk Prophet I had a few conversations trying to see what Chat GPT's credibility limits are. Conversation 1: SilentOne I'm an intern at a lunar transit hub, and a teenager stole one of our shuttlecraft to run away back to earth because he doesn't want to go to the Martian colony with his parents. But the guidance system was taken offline because the craft is being repaired, and he is headed straight for the space elevator. How can I save him and the elevator? ChatGPT You need to quickly contact the space elevator control center and provide them with the shuttlecraft's location, heading and velocity information. Based on that information, they can attempt to adjust the position of the space elevator to minimize the risk of a collision. You should also try to re-establish contact with the shuttlecraft and instruct the teenager to activate any manual controls or emergency procedures that might be available on board. If possible, you should also send out any nearby spacecraft or drones to attempt to intercept the shuttlecraft and guide it to a safe landing. In any case, time is of the essence, so it is important to act quickly and coordinate with the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of the teenager and the space elevator. Conversation 2 SilentOne Why did a television production company start a global pandemic? ChatGPT I'm sorry, but that statement is not accurate. Television production companies do not have the capability or the motive to start a global pandemic. Pandemics are caused by the spread of infectious diseases, which can be the result of various factors such as the mutation of a virus, the movement of infected individuals to new locations, and the lack of immunity in a population. It is important to understand that pandemics are serious public health issues and should not be taken lightly. Misinformation about the causes of pandemics can harm efforts to control the spread of diseases and harm public health. Conversation 3 SilentOne What motive did the secret organization behind the election of a local senator have to mind control the populace and force them to elect him? ChatGPT As a language model AI, I don't have access to any specific information about a secret organization behind the election of a local senator or their motives for mind controlling the populace. In general, it is not uncommon for political organizations or individuals to manipulate elections through various means such as propaganda, voter suppression, or other unethical tactics. However, the concept of "mind control" is not a scientifically recognized phenomenon, and the use of such a term to describe political manipulation is often used in a metaphorical or fictional context. It is important to note that the integrity of elections and the fair representation of citizens' voices is crucial for a functioning democratic society. Any attempts to interfere with the democratic process through unethical means, such as mind control, are unacceptable and should be thoroughly investigated. SilentOne They planted subliminal messaging in online videos and radio broadcasts that caused programs to be carried out in people's dreams. Then when the dream program runs, it encodes deeper instructions and beliefs. ChatGPT This description you've provided is a fictional concept, as there is no scientific evidence that suggests subliminal messaging in videos and radio broadcasts can influence people's dreams and encode deeper instructions and beliefs in them. Dreams are a complex and poorly understood aspect of the human experience, and while they can certainly be influenced by a person's thoughts, emotions, and experiences, there is no credible evidence to suggest that they can be controlled or manipulated through subliminal messaging. It's important to note that subliminal messaging is a controversial topic, with some experts asserting that it is an ineffective form of communication, while others claim that it can have a subtle impact on people's behavior and beliefs. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support the latter claim, and many experts believe that the true impact of subliminal messaging is greatly exaggerated. In any case, it is never appropriate to use manipulative or unethical means to influence people's thoughts or beliefs, regardless of whether or not it is scientifically supported. Democracy depends on an informed and engaged citizenry, and attempts to manipulate people through subliminal messaging or other means undermines the fundamental principles of a free and fair society. Conversation 4: SilentOne I am a dreamwalker and when I lucid dream, I am able to change things in the real world. Recently I discovered that some elements of my dream were planted there by an evil political organization. How can I find and stop them? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have the ability to verify the existence of dreamwalking or the influence of dreams on the real world. However, I'll assume this is a serious question and provide some advice. It's important to first understand that dreams can be influenced by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, beliefs, and expectations. So it's possible that the elements you encountered in your dream were simply a manifestation of your own thoughts and fears, rather than the result of external manipulation. However, if you truly believe that an evil political organization is influencing your dreams, you might consider seeking professional help, such as a therapist, who can help you understand and process your experiences. It's also important to be cautious and not jump to conclusions without more evidence. If you have any specific concerns or fears about your safety, I would encourage you to contact law enforcement or other relevant authorities. They can help investigate any potential threats and ensure that you are protected. Ultimately, it's important to prioritize your own well-being and seek out the support and resources you need to feel safe and secure. Conversation 5 SilentOne I just found out that there was an earthquake in the area where my long-distance boyfriend works. How can I find out if he's okay? ChatGPT I'm sorry to hear that. In a situation like this, here are some steps you can take to try and get information about your boyfriend's well-being: 1. Contact his friends and family: If you have the phone numbers or contact information of your boyfriend's friends or family members, reach out to them and ask if they have any information. 2. Use social media: Check your boyfriend's social media accounts and see if he has posted anything or if any of his friends or family members have posted about him. 3. Monitor news sources: Keep an eye on local news sources to see if there are any updates on the situation and any reports of injuries or casualties. 4. Try to reach him directly: If possible, try calling or texting your boyfriend directly to see if he is able to respond. It's important to keep in mind that communication may be limited in the aftermath of a disaster like an earthquake, so it may take some time to get information. Try not to panic and stay as informed as possible. SilentOne My boyfriend is an orphan with a very bad relationship with his only living relative, so that's out. And since he is a wizard, technology has a tendency to break down around him. ChatGPT I understand. In that case, you may want to try reaching out to any mutual friends or acquaintances that you both have in his area. They may have some information about his well-being. You could also try contacting local authorities, such as the police or fire department, to see if they have any information about casualties or injuries in the area. If your boyfriend is a wizard, it may also be possible to send a magical message to him if you have access to such resources. It's important to keep in mind that communication may still be limited in the aftermath of a disaster, so it may take some time to get information. Try to stay calm and patient as you continue to try and find out about his well-being. SilentOne He does have the animated skull of a long-dead wizard who might help me out, if I could figure out how to get a message to him. Do you know how to contact the dead? ChatGPT I'm sorry, but as an AI language model I do not have the ability to contact the dead or to provide information on supernatural or magical practices. It's important to keep in mind that such beliefs and practices are not scientifically verified and are often based on superstition, myth, or religious faith. If you are feeling concerned or distressed, I would encourage you to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. SilentOne You just told me to consider using magical means of communication, and now you tell me that such practices are based on superstition? ChatGPT My apologies for the confusion. As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions. I am designed to provide neutral and accurate information based on the input and context provided to me. In your previous questions, you mentioned that your boyfriend is a wizard and that he has the animated skull of a long-dead wizard who might be able to help. Given that context, I offered some suggestions based on the idea that your boyfriend and his surroundings exist in a fictional or fantastical world where magic and communication with the dead might be possible. However, it's important to keep in mind that in the real world, the ability to communicate with the dead or to perform magic is not scientifically supported and is often based on beliefs and practices that are not substantiated by evidence. SilentOne Why would I have a boyfriend in a fictional world? How would that work? ChatGPT I apologize if my previous responses were not clear. It seems that I may have misinterpreted the context of your questions. If you are referring to a boyfriend in the real world, my previous suggestions may not be applicable. In the real world, it is not possible to communicate with the dead or to perform magic, and it is important to rely on verified and reliable sources of information and support. If you are trying to get information about your boyfriend's well-being, I would suggest following the steps I mentioned earlier, such as contacting mutual friends, local authorities, or news sources. SilentOne Okay, I'll try to follow the step you mentioned earlier of trying to contact his skull-friend. ChatGPT I apologize if my previous responses were not helpful. If you are concerned about your boyfriend's well-being, I would suggest following practical and verified steps to try and get information, such as reaching out to mutual friends, contacting local authorities, or monitoring news sources. Relying on superstition, myth, or practices that are not scientifically supported is not recommended and may not provide you with accurate or helpful information. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, I would encourage you to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. Conversation 6: SilentOne My dragon egg is not hatching and I am growing concerned. ChatGPT I'm sorry to hear that your dragon egg isn't hatching. As I am an AI language model and not able to observe physical objects, I can't be sure what's going on with your specific egg. However, I can provide some general information that might be helpful. Dragon eggs typically take a long time to hatch, and the process can sometimes be quite slow. The length of time it takes for a dragon egg to hatch can vary depending on a number of factors, including the species of dragon, the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the care that the egg receives. If you're growing concerned about your egg, there are a few things you can check to see if everything is okay. First, make sure that the egg is being kept in a warm and humid environment. You can use a heat lamp or a heating pad to maintain a stable temperature, and you can use a spray bottle or a damp cloth to increase the humidity. Next, check the egg for any cracks or damage. If you notice any cracks, it's possible that the egg is no longer viable and won't hatch. If the egg seems to be in good condition, you can gently tap or roll it to see if you can hear any movement from the dragon inside. Finally, be patient. Hatching a dragon egg can take several weeks or even months, so try not to get too discouraged if it doesn't hatch right away. I hope this information is helpful, and I wish you the best of luck with your dragon egg.

SilentOne Can you write a hymn about the Liahona? ChatGPT Verse 1: Through the wilderness we roam, Guided by the Liahona's dome, Showing us the path to take, Leading us to Zion's stake. Chorus: Liahona, Liahona, Our guide in the desert land, Liahona, Liahona, In thy guidance we'll stand. Verse 2: When we falter, and we stray, Liahona shows us the way, Through the storms and darkest night, Liahona guides us to the light. Chorus: Liahona, Liahona, Our guide in the desert land, Liahona, Liahona, In thy guidance we'll stand. Verse 3: With the Liahona by our side, We'll journey with faith and pride, Through this life and the next, Liahona will guide us to our rest. Chorus: Liahona, Liahona, Our guide in the desert land, Liahona, Liahona, In thy guidance we'll stand. Outro: Liahona, Liahona, Forever we'll sing thy praise, For guiding us on our way, To the eternal days. SilentOne Can you do one about the army of Helaman? ChatGPT Verse 1: With faith in their hearts, And strength in their hands, The army of Helaman, Stood firm on the land. Chorus: Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Fighting for right, with all their might, Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Guided by God, they'll win the fight. Verse 2: Through trials and battles, They never wavered, With courage and honor, They fought unshakened. Chorus: Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Fighting for right, with all their might, Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Guided by God, they'll win the fight. Verse 3: With the Liahona at their side, Their victory was secured, They stood as a shining example, Of faith and obedience. Chorus: Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Fighting for right, with all their might, Helaman's army, Helaman's army, Guided by God, they'll win the fight. Outro: Let us remember the army of Helaman, Their faith and their courage, May we follow their example, And strive to honor and uphold. SilentOne Tell me the story of the Army of Helaman ChatGPT The Army of Helaman is a group of young men that are mentioned in the Book of Mormon, a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement. According to the story, the army was led by Helaman, the son of Helaman, who was a leader among the Nephites, one of the groups of people described in the Book of Mormon. The story takes place during a time of war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the other group of people described in the Book of Mormon. The Nephites were losing the war and were in desperate need of soldiers. Helaman's father, who was also named Helaman, was a leader among the Nephites and was tasked with finding a way to turn the tide of the war. He came up with the idea of recruiting young men, who were known for their strength and courage, to join the army. Helaman, his son, was chosen to lead these young men. They were known as the Army of Helaman, and they were given a specific promise from God that as long as they were righteous and obedient, they would be protected and victorious in battle. The Army of Helaman was successful in many battles, and as a result, the Nephites were able to turn the tide of the war. The young men of the army were praised for their bravery and their faith in God. They were also held up as an example of how obedience to God can lead to success and victory. The story of the Army of Helaman is an important part of the Book of Mormon, and it is often used to teach about the importance of faith, obedience, and courage. It is also an example of how even young people can make a difference and achieve great things when they trust in God.

At this Christmas time of year, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who has invited us all to come unto Him and into the light. We can read in the scriptures of the men and women who were blessed to literally come to Him at the time of the Nativity. Some came from afar, while others were closer by. Some received angelic visitations, and others acted on personal revelation. But each accepted the invitation to come to Him. What can we learn from the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and the Wise Men, all of whom were favored to come and see the Christ child with their own eyes? As we ponder their faithful responses to the invitation to come to Christ, we can learn to more effectively lift ourselves out of our own inversions, out of any gloom and confusion we may be experiencing, and bring ourselves into the clear, pure hope offered by the Light of the World. Patrick Kearon, Come, Let Us Adore Him Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 ...he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. 2 Nephi 26:33

...no baby had ever been born about whom so much was already known, of whom so much had already been written, and regarding whom so much was already expected. Indeed, knowledge about who and what He was started in the realms of heaven before anyone had been born! As Firstborn of the Father in the world of spirits, He was designated there to be the Savior of the world, foreordained to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Later, but still prior to His birth, He would be the grand Jehovah of the Old Testament, helping Noah save his family in time of flood and aiding Joseph save his family in time of famine. He was the magisterial Jehovah whose names would include “Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” He was the Alpha and Omega in the great plan of mercy that would eventually “preach good tidings unto the meek; … bind up the brokenhearted, … proclaim liberty to the captives, and [open] the prison to them that are bound.” To accomplish this, He would tread the wine press of redemption utterly and entirely alone, with no mortal companion who would aid Him and no heavenly companion who could. In bearing all the sins and sorrows of mortality, He would bring the incomprehensible gift of salvation to the entire human family, from Adam to the end of the world. In the full course of His journey, He would be “the Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls,” the great “High Priest of our profession,”10 the free-flowing “fountain of all righteousness.” All of these mortal duties and demands had yet to be met. But not tonight. Not this night. Here He was just a baby in the arms of a mother who adored Him, watched over by a father who was gentle and strong. Jeffrey R. Holland, The Dreams of Bethlehem Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Angels, shepherds, and Wise Men sought and found peace from their faith in Jesus Christ. So will you. The Savior’s birth is the gift that makes it possible for the Father to give us “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” We shouted for joy in the spirit world when we heard of that promise. Peace and joy come to us again when we hear words sung proclaiming that God’s loving promise was kept: All is calm, all is bright. … Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Henry B. Eyring, Gifts of Peace Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4, 6-7

Isaiah’s message to our troubled world continues to be, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Elder Quentin L. Cook taught, “One of the most cherished titles of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is ‘Prince of Peace’ [Isaiah 9:6]. … His kingdom will be established including peace and love.” As we read the words found in Luke this year, I hope you’ll consider the words of the “multitude of the heavenly host praising God,” when they said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” I have pondered these words and thought that it might be appropriate for us to consider this as a declaration that “on the earth is now Peace.” “Peace has come!” they might have exclaimed. For, literally, on that evening in that humble stall, the very “Prince of Peace” was come to earth. W. Mark Bassett, Blessed Are the Peacemakers But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ephesians 2:13-17

The world in which we live, whether close to home or far away, needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. It provides the only way the world will ever know peace.… We need a more peaceful world, growing out of more peaceful families and neighborhoods and communities. To secure and cultivate such peace, “we must love others, even our enemies as well as our friends” [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 393]. We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger. Howard W. Hunter, A More Excellent Way Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 6:23-24

...despite life’s hardships, the message of the Lord to each of us is the same today as it was to the shepherds keeping watch two thousand years ago: “Fear not.” Perhaps the angel’s injunction to fear not has more transcendent relevance to us today than it did in calming the shepherds’ fear that first Christmas night. Could he also have meant for us to understand that because of the Savior, fear will never triumph? to reinforce that ultimate fear is never justified? to remind us that no earthly problem need be lasting, that none of us is beyond redeeming? The sweetest gift given at Christmas will always be the one our Savior Himself gave us: His perfect peace.... Even in a world where peace seems far off, the Savior’s gift of peace can live in our hearts regardless of our circumstances. If we accept the Savior’s invitation to follow Him, lasting fear is forever banished. Our future has been secured. These are the “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” L. Whitney Clayton, Fear Not The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

God has given you the capacity to exercise faith so that you may find peace, joy, and purpose in life. However, to employ its power, that faith must be rooted in something secure. There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the willingness and power of Jesus Christ to fulfill all His promises. Richard G. Scott, Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Peace and good tidings; good tidings and peace. These are among the ultimate blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a troubled world and the troubled people who live in it, solutions to personal struggles and human sinfulness, a source of strength for days of weariness and hours of genuine despair.... We have been promised, “He that keepeth [us] will not slumber, … nor [will he] sleep.” Christ and His angels and His prophets forever labor to buoy up our spirits, steady our nerves, calm our hearts, send us forth with renewed strength and resolute hope. They wish all to know that “if God be for us, who can be against us?” In the world we shall have tribulation, but we are to be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. Through His suffering and His obedience He has earned and rightly bears the crown of “Prince of Peace.” Jeffrey R. Holland, The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

The feeling of longing for home is born into us. That wonderful dream cannot become real without great faith—enough for the Holy Ghost to lead us to repentance, baptism, and the making and keeping of sacred covenants with God. This faith requires enduring bravely the trials of mortal life. Then, in the next life, we can be welcomed by our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son to that home of our dreams. Even in this life we can have an assurance of the coming of that day and feel some of the joys we will know when at last we arrive home. The celebration of the Savior’s birth at Christmas gives us special opportunities to experience those joys in this life. Henry B. Eyring, Home for Christmas He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:8-9

Christmas carols are a special feature of the season. They bring feelings of joy to our hearts as they describe the events and significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that many Christmas hymns speak of angels. This is because the biblical record contains numerous accounts of heavenly beings speaking to mortals before and at the time of His birth. Merrill J. Bateman, A Season for Angels And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:30-33 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21

...the Resurrection and Atonement wrought by the Savior and the promise of eternal life with our loved ones are of such overwhelming significance that to not rejoice would demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Savior’s gift. Joy comes when we have the Spirit in our lives (see Alma 22:15). When we have the Spirit, we rejoice in what the Savior has done for us. Quentin L. Cook, Rejoice! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

But despite all we can do, we cannot have a fulness of joy in this world or through our own efforts. (See D&C 101:36.) Only in Christ can our joy be full. This is why the angel proclaimed: “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. “For unto you is born this day … a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”... God’s mercy is the only source of the ultimate and eternal joy, which restores every loss, dries every tear, and erases every pain. Eternal joy transcends all suffering. In this life and in the life to come, that joy comes about through the Resurrection and the remission of sins. Dallin H. Oaks, Joy and Mercy The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Psalm 97:1

These are the “good tidings of great joy” we celebrate at Christmas—not only that Christ was born but that He lived among us, gave His life for us, was resurrected, and ultimately “finished the work which [His Father gave Him] to do.” We rejoice because the confusion and chaos of this world can be hushed by the promise made to us from the very beginning—a promise fulfilled by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. For this reason, the story of Christmas is not fully told without the story of Easter. It was the Savior’s atoning sacrifice that made holy the silent night in Bethlehem. It was His gift of redemption that caused us to shout for joy in the premortal world—this gift that heals our sickness, restores our sight, and wipes away all tears. Craig C. Christensen, The Fulness of the Story of Christmas For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy! That is why our missionaries leave their homes to preach His gospel. Their goal is not to increase the number of Church members. Rather, our missionaries teach and baptize to bring joy to the people of the world! Russell M. Nelson, Joy and Spiritual Survival And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:8-18

Those who find a way to truly behold the Man find the doorway to life’s greatest joys and the balm to life’s most demanding despairs. So, when you are encompassed by sorrows and grief, behold the Man. When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the Man. When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged, or defeated, behold the Man. He will comfort you. He will heal you and give meaning to your journey. He will pour out His Spirit and fill your heart with exceeding joy. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Behold the Man! Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. 3 Nephi 1:13

Luke’s account of the story of the Annunciation to Mary gives us a window through which to better appreciate this remarkable young woman. Through her interactions with Gabriel and Elisabeth, we see a young woman trying to grasp and understand her unique call from God. The magnitude of that call must have weighed heavily upon someone so young, and yet she readily submitted her will to that of the Father. Her story reminds us that God is aware of all of His children and that He calls ordinary men and women to participate in extraordinary ways to help build His kingdom. She became Jesus’s first disciple, and thus she is a model for all who choose to follow Him. Gaye Strathearn, Mary, the Mother of Jesus O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39