OKLAHOMA CITY STAKE

Q: Why did Christ need to be baptized, considering He had no sin?

A: (1) To show mankind that He was humble before His Father; (2) To show obedience to the Father; (3) To show mankind the exactness and strictness needed to enter the kingdom of God; (4) To fulfill all righteousness (2 Nephi 31: 6-10).

Q: What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness?

A: To perform every ordinance, keep every commandment and do every act necessary to the attainment of eternal life (Bruce R. McConkie).

Q: After Jesus was baptized, did the Spirit descend in the form of a dove?

A: No, the sign of the dove was a witness for the Holy Ghost, and is something that can't be imitated by the devil. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and can't transform into a dove. The dove signified the truth of Christ being baptized (Joseph Smith).

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to more fully invite the Savior into our lives. 

As we begin a new year, we hope that each of you will recognize who the Savior is to you and why He came to earth.

President Hinckley said, "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection."

The "good tidings of great joy" we celebrate at Christmas can continue throughout the year, as we contemplate who Christ is and the gift He gave to us. He bears our burdens and will wipe away all of our tears. Christ is always knocking at the door. It is our job to let Him in.

My dear friends, I have always found so much joy in the beautiful Christmas hymns that testify of Jesus Christ’s sacred birth and divine mission.

Whether your voice is young or old, we can all join the angels who sang rejoicing on that “silent night” so long ago, even as we look forward to the day He will come again.

I love you all and wish you “heavenly peace,” not only at Christmas but every day as we strive to walk the path of discipleship.