THE MATCHLESS GIFT

 


THE MATCHLESS GIFT                        December 2025

On a mountain side near Wellsville, Utah on Saturday April 6, 1985, I was planting trees with young Aaronic Priesthood holders participating in a service project. I brought a battery powered radio so we could listen to general conference while we served.

I will never forget what we witnessed and felt as we listened to Apostle Bruce R. McConkie bear his final testimony of our savior Jesus Christ. Elder McConkie knew he was dying of cancer. He left mortality just a few short days after conference but before passing, he would leave his indelible mark upon the hearts of all privileged to hear and feel his touching testimony. On a wall in our home hangs this picture with a portion of his testimony so all who enter our home might read and feel the power of the tender testimony he bore. “I am one of his witnesses and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tear. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.”

 Elder McConkie left as his legacy the words of a beautiful hymn #134- “I believe in Christ” (we recommend you read and ponder all verses of his beautiful hymn) verse 2 reads: “I believe in Christ; oh blessed name! As Mary’s son he came to reign ‘mid mortal men, his earthly kin, to save them from the woes of sin. I believe in Christ; he marked the path, who did gain all his father hath, who said to men: “Come, follow me, that ye my friends,  with God may be.”

On January 1, 2000, the First Presidency and quorum of the 12 apostles published to the world a document entitled, “The Living Christ.” One paragraph reads; “We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the First born of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.”

At this Christmas time, Annette and I wish to add our testimony to that of Elder McConkie and all the prophets and apostles, ancient and modern -that Jesus Christ, the babe born in Bethlehem did indeed accomplish the will of the Father. His ministry and teachings mapped out for us a life of happiness and the way back to the Father. Because of his selfless atoning sacrifice, repentance is his gift to us and by making and keeping sacred covenants we too can enjoy eternal friendships and eternity as families. We rejoice with prophets and apostles in declaring: “God be thanked for The Matchless Gift of His Devine Son!” 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!   With much love!

Bruce & Annette

The Grandparent Chronicles

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