For we have not followed cunningly devised fables...
when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses to His majesty
“Lord of All’ by Malory Fiso
My sweetest friend, this is my last letter to you for 2023. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t write last week- I really wanted to write something to you on Christmas Eve and have something for you to read in the midst of your celebrations. Whether it is gathering with family and lots to do, or if you are having a quiet time- maybe you are going through a season of grief or loneliness. I pray that this letter adds to your joy either way.
We are wrapping up our study of The New Testament for Come Follow Me this week too. I love the Gospels- I love the apostles. I love Peter. Oh gosh I LOVE Peter and all of his letters.
This past September, Tony and I had the privilege of visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Our tour guide has his Masters in Art History. When he found out I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, his eyes lit up. He had SO many questions for me. He wanted to know what was my church’s stance on SO many points of doctrine- Original Sin, Adam & Eve, the Immaculate Conception, he even wanted to know why so many first born sons had to die at the hands of Herod when Christ was born. The 4 hour conversation filled my soul in so many ways. When we entered inside of the enormous basilica, he pointed out relics that were kept all around the chapel. “Here is a piece of the cross that Helen, the Emperor Constantine’s mother supposedly found during an excavation…” “Here is a shroud that Tabitha gave to the Savior to wipe His face with and it bears His likeness…” “Here is where it is believed Peter was martyred and is buried- the candles here continue to burn for him…”
I noticed the Pope’s crest- two keys, representing the keys spoken of in Matthew 16: 19 Jesus’ words to Peter; “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”.1 The symbol of two keys meansso much to me as a Latter Day Saint, because they represent the Aaronic and Mechizedek Priesthood, both restored in this church in this dispensation- their power has been felt by me and by my family, especially since I received my Endowment in the temple in 2019.
My beautiful husband turned to me and whispered a question that I think every seeker (and good critical thinker!) asks him or herself at one point-
“What if this is all just bullsh**?”
As we exited the basilica and I lowered my veil back down from my head, I pondered on his question before answering. I turned to my husband and said, “Our hearts are the same. You don’t want to believe in fairy tales. You don’t want to put your trust and your daily walk into things that aren’t true. I get it. I’ve been there. I don’t want to do that either. I want to build my life on the rock- THE rock- of my Redeemer. The truth has a name my dearest husband- His name is Jesus Christ.”
I shared with him Peter’s words, that I’m about to share with you;
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.2
Peter was an eyewitness. He saw the Savior and His miracles with his own eyes. We can believe.
Sweet friend, on this beautiful Christmas Eve 2023, I echo Peter as I testify to you;
You can believe in Him.
You can count on Him.
You can build your life on Him.
You can covenant with Him through baptism and through sacred ordinances in the temple that will bind you to Him for eternity.
He really did come to earth as a tiny helpless baby.
He really did walk among us.
He really did perform miracles and revealed His true identity as the Messiah, first to the woman at the well in Samaria.
He really did suffer in Gesthemane and and on the cross to atone for our sins, to redeem us, to offer us eternal life and exaltation and to return us to our Heavenly Parents again.
He really did rise again and He really lives now.
He really did appear to a 14 year old boy, Joseph Smith, on March 16, 1820 in Palmyra, New York, and Heavenly Father really did repeat the words as spoken in Peter- “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased3. Hear ye Him.”
He really did restore His church and with the help of His apostles and Saints; He really did restore Priesthood keys and the Priesthood power on the earth.
He really is going to come again to rule and reign over the earth, and the government shall be on His shoulders4; and it really will be the best day.
Jesus is the Christ. He is the light. He is God with us.
It’s not a fairytale, it’s not bullsh**.
You really can believe.
It really is true.
He really is true.
Merry, Merry Christmas sweet friend. How I love you and how grateful I am that we can sit together and share the things of our souls like this. I pray you always know that these things are true.
Read Luke 1 & 2
Recall As you prayerfully read and ponder, feel the Holy Spirit tutoring you and giving you a witness of the verity of these events and of Jesus Christ Himself.
Reflect How has believing filled your heart with peace? How has knowing this truth helped you through trials and sorrows and how has it multiplied your joys?
Reclaim Recommit to your covenants if you have made them. Prayerfully consider making them if you haven’t. Re-center your life around Christ. He will never abandon you. He loves you and gave all that He has for you- you can count on it.
Matthew 16:19
2 Peter 1: 16-19
2 Peter 1: 17
Isaiah 9:6