Search the word of God

- Increase our talents

- Serve others

Just like the wisemen, who were led by a star to the birth of the Savior, members also have a star to follow and can recreate that familiar scene in Bethlehem in their own lives, Betty Jo N. Jepsen, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, said Sunday afternoon.

"As I read the account of the birth of my Savior, I long to have the experience the wisemen had - to be led by a star. . . . I believe that in every mortal there is an instinctive desire to `Come Unto Christ.' Perhaps we have a basic human need, because each of us is a child of God, to make that commitment to the spiritual part of our being. And we each try to meet this need according to what we know.

"As members of His true Church," she continued, "perhaps we do not need to be taught new things as much as we need to be reminded of what we already know. That is what pondering the birth of our Savior does for all of us. I believe it reminds our mortal minds of things our spirits already know."

The latter-day invitation to "Come Unto Christ" and to "Come back" is meant for each of God's children, she said, just as the invitation to "Come follow me" has stood true.

"Come with me on a journey to remember what we can do to answer His invitation," she remarked.

We can search the word of God.

"We will be able to recognize truth when we hear it just as the shepherds and wisemen knew when they were told about the Savior's birth. The scriptures are the word of God and a light to us and the world, and we can follow this light as if it were our guiding star."

We can pray.

"It is possible to have this personal conversation with Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ by kneeling in prayer just as surely as if we could kneel beside the manger and see the Savior there."

We can participate in the saving ordinances.

"We can consider our visits to the temple as a personal pilgrimage to a sacred place as the shepherds must have considered their journey to that humble manger."

We can increase our talents.

"The wisemen brought their gifts. . . . We can bring our talents."

We can serve others.

"Just as the shepherds left familiar terrain in dark of night for a new experience, we are called to leave secure and comfortable settings to serve and gain experience."

Sister Jepsen added: "By these works of righteousness, we can come unto Him each day of our lives just as if we had trod in our sandaled feet the rocky path to Bethlehem holding a staff or bearing gifts."