I only have 20 minutes so I have to make it quick. First of all, thank you so much for the gifts! You seriously didn't have to do that. I love them as does my district haha. They say thank you! It is so cool to be here for Christmas. We are going to be hearing from Elder Bednar today it sounds like. I'm super excited. We saw a video of him speaking a couple of days ago from a few years back. It was amazing. He talked about turning our hearts to Christ. Becoming selfless. I hope we can all remember Christ every day and recognize his role in our lives.
It has been crazy every day here. We are learning so much. The MTC is truly a great place and the spirit is amazing. I realize that I really didn't know anything about being a missionary. Jesus Christ is the reason we do what we do. Our only purpose is to bring others unto Him. We are here to make people become like Christ. I would like you to think about Christ as a baby. Just after he was born. Picture Him in your arms with his beautiful eyes looking up at you. Feel the love that this baby has for you. Now imagine what the future will hold for this baby boy. As you hold him, think of all he will do for you. Think of the Atonement and how he felt every pain, suffering, and misery in all the world. Think of the sin he had to experience because of us. Think of how his disciples fell asleep when he asked them to stay awake with him while he had to endure that. Three times! Think of how one of them even betrayed them. Think of how this baby boy you are holding will one day be whipped, stabbed, then nailed to a cross and left for dead. The baby boy you hold in your arms will do all of this. Why? I'll tell you. It's because he wants to spend the rest of eternity living with you in the Celestial Kingdom. He loves you so much that he is willing to go through all of this suffering so he can be with you forever. Now I want you to think about this throughout Christmas and the rest of your lives. What are you doing for him? How are you living your life? Your eldest brother gave away his life for you. All he asks is for you to follow him. We do not deserve any of this. We will owe Christ for the rest of eternity no matter what. The least we could do is to give him his one wish. That we will live with him for eternity. The only way to do this is to turn your hearts toward others. Become Christlike. I know if we do this, we will be blessed beyond measure. Our lives will be better. Our attitudes will be better. We will be happier. We will feel more peace and joy in our lives. But best of all. We will get to spend the rest of eternity with Jesus Christ. We will get to thank him personally and know he is proud of us. We had eternity to prepare for this, and we will have eternity to remember this. Don't spend Eternity regretting what we did on this earth. I know this is what God wants for us. This gospel is his way of showing his love for us. Don't forget that. If you want to show your love for him, then serve him.
I have to go now. I love you all and will write Saturday. Probably sometime in the morning. Maybe seven or eightish.
With love,
Elder Anderson
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