2005
What’s Up?
December 2005


“What’s Up?” New Era, Dec. 2005, 44

What’s Up?

“At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Son of God,” Ensign, Dec. 1992, 6.

Leading with Love

After you’ve planned, prayed, and delegated responsibilities to your class or quorum members, you, as a leader, need to offer your help and support. Tell them you have confidence in their abilities, and let them know you love them. Encourage them to use their own ideas; don’t insist that things always be done your way. By leading with love, you’ll help every member develop his or her skills and talents.

“Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”

This is the only Christmas song in the hymnbook written by a Latter-day Saint author. In 1869, John Macfarlane of St. George, Utah, wanted his choir to sing a new carol for their Christmas program. After struggling to write one with no success, John awoke from a dream one night and wrote the lyrics and melody to “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains.” Even though most shepherds in Judea herded their sheep on rocky hills, not plains, the song is still a beautiful addition to our Christmas carols and is popular both in and out of the Church. (See Hymns, no. 212.)

Photograph by John Luke

Painting by Del Parson