Every Good Gift

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.” (Moroni 10:3)

As we finish off the year and celebrate Christmas, it was perfect timing to read Moroni 10 with the Come Follow Me reading schedule. I was impressed this year by the phrase “every good gift”. It’s easy to think of Christmas presents when the word “gift” comes around, especially at this time of year. However, the gifts of God are innumerable.

“And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.” (Moroni 10:18)

In this final chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni talks specifically about spiritual gifts (i.e. gift of healing, gift of teaching, gift of tongues, etc.) but I believe he’s also referring to everything that the Lord blesses us with. 

It’s been a challenging year for many people. I’ve been blessed that all this quarantine and home time has given me extra time with my daughter as she’s spent her first year getting acquainted with mortality. Besides the fact that my schoolwork went online instead of on campus, my life has remained relatively stable. That being said, I know not everyone has been so blessed.

But as President Nelson counseled us before Thanksgiving, we can #givethanks and feel the blessings of Heaven more fully in our lives. Pessimism never blessed anyone, so I’ve come to truly believe in the power of counting our blessings. So as we spend Christmas together with loved ones (even if it’s limited to virtual time this year), let’s be grateful for the gifts that our Father in Heaven has given us. Every good thing comes from God, so let’s be grateful for it. 

“And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift.” (Moroni 10:30)