There was once a man who was the son of a righteous father. The father had made great sacrifices for his faith, but for some reason, the son became bitter and turned against the religion of his father. He became a powerful and persuasive anti-Christ. As his father labored to build faith and spiritual strength, this young man became a spiritual murderer, traveling about the land destroying the faith of many. He was the vilest of sinners.

And then one day an unusual thing happened: An angel of the Lord appeared and spoke with a voice so thunderous and powerful that it shook the earth under this young man’s feet, and knocked him to the ground. He was then commanded by the angel to stand up, and told that if he did not stop his persecutions, he would be ‘cast off’ to hell. It was the last thing he heard.

For three days and three nights, this young man was tortured in the most extreme manner by a bright recollection of all his sins. His pains and his guilt were of the most exquisite degree. The very thought of coming into the presence of God racked his soul with inexpressible horror. He wished that he could become extinct, body and soul.

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From the midst of this self-inflicted damnation, he remembered the teachings of his father concerning Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He cried out in the anguish of his soul, “…O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me…” (Alma 36:18)

No sooner had he thought this, than he could remember his sins no more, and his pain and guilt were swept away, and replaced with an exquisite and sweet joy. The intensity of this young man’s repentance caused him to experience a mighty change of heart. He was born again, and under the tutelage of a loving Savior, he became a righteous and holy man.

This young man’s name was Alma the Younger. This vilest of sinners became, through the miracle of Christ and the Atonement, a mighty prophet. So faithful was he, that at the end of his life, Alma was taken to heaven without tasting death, and from his sons and grandsons came a line of prophets and record-keepers lasting over 400 years. It was a miracle, the miracle of forgiveness.

My friends, Christmas is the gift of a Savior who is mighty to save. I add my witness that He was born to die and rise again. He lives, and the greatest gift we can give any man is to lead him to a Savior who will give him all.

May the Lord bless you.