There are many good things that I have to be thankful for. Today, three in particular stand out.

A Good Book and A Good Challenge

Back in July of this year, the last Sunday in July, a letter from the First Presidency was read in Sacrament Meeting in which President Hinckley challenged each member of the Church to read or reread the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. This challenge was reiterated in the First Presidency message in the August 2005 issue of the Ensign magazine as well. In it, President Hinckley said:Beginning the very next day, on Monday the 1st of August, my friend Jason and I, for our Family Home Evening, we started rereading the Book of Mormon at the very start, and then continued reading together each Monday since then (with some exceptions) according to a reading schedule we agreed on.

Because we started on a Monday, we set up our reading schedule so that we would finish the Book of Mormon on the Monday before Christmas. That's tomorrow, the 19th of December. Tomorrow we will read the last chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni chapter 10.

This evening I had a few more chapters to read beyond the two I was scheduled to read, since I'd missed reading some of the days this week. I caught up and then began today's reading, Moroni chapter 8 and 9, both of which are epistles sent by Mormon to his son Moroni. As I started chapter 9, I decided to read it aloud to myself, and for the fun of it, a read it dramatically. You know the style, like in a movie when someone is reading a letter and you hear the writer of the letter's voice reading the words as if they were speaking directly to the reader.

I tried to imagine how Mormon must have felt, having witnessed the horrible inhumanity as the war between the Lamanites and Nephites was nearing its end, as Mormon's own people rejected God, becoming more vile and evil than their enemies. I read the epistle with feeling, imagining also the tender feelings of gratitude and love Mormon felt for his son, Moroni, who was faithful and true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When I reached verses 21 and 22, where Mormon tells Moroni that because of the wickedness of his own people, the Nephites, Mormon cannot recommend them to God, but then because Moroni has been faithful and true to Christ, he says in verse 22, "But behold, my son, I recommend thee unto God, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved;" I couldn't help myself, I choked up while reading. Oh the tender feeling Mormon must have had for his son, the gratitude that he was faithful and true.

There is a divine power in the Book of Mormon. It is truly a marvelous work and a wonder. I've been greatly blessed and am grateful for President Hinckley's challenge. I look forward to completing the book tomorrow night with Jason.

The powerful feelings of love, of charity toward my fellow men, of desire to become a better person, these are good things. This experience tonight is one of the three good things I wish to make mention of.

Good Music With a Good Message

Another good thing I experienced today took place during Sacrament Meeting between the excellent speakers. It was a special musical number, performed by three sisters of our Ward, Sister Mitchell singing O Holy Night in her pure-toned soprano voice, a lovely soprano voice I've admired ever since she and her husband first moved into our ward (Her husband and I both sing tenor in our ward choir—I think our voices blend well together. Both he and his wife are fun people to be around, and their two children are delightful.), Sister Hodges who played a flute part that wove harmoniously with Sister Mitchell's vocals, and Sister West who played the piano accompaniment with acumen.

The three of them practiced before church began, as the choir members were gathering for practice. I just closed my eyes and relished the beautiful sound. Again, in Sacrament Meeting, I closed my eyes and just listened with rapt attention. It was practically perfect. Beautiful. Music like that is heavenly. I was grateful to Heavenly Father that these sisters with such talent were willing to share it and share the powerful Christmas message that song carries. Truly this was a good thing to be grateful for.

Good People Around Me

Lastly, I'm grateful for kindly people who look out for their fellow men. In my job in the ward, I sometimes hear of acts of service performed by members of the ward, one toward another. And this Christmas season, there are many. There are those in need, or who may be struggling or lonely. I'm grateful for good people who watch out for their neighbors (in the New Testament sense of the word), and when they see someone in need, they lend a helping hand.

I'm grateful for those who are blessed with plenty this year, who share their bounty generously, and also for those who, even though they themselves may be in need in many ways, still extend the hand of fellowship and service to others, ignoring their own want, seeing only opportunity to serve others.

I hope and pray I can follow these examples of true Christianity around me. Truly such things exemplify the spirit of Christmas.

Postscript

Oh, add to the list ruby red grapefruit. It's inexplicably delicious!