The tale is simple enough.

A teenage son, upon receiving a cash birthday gift some weeks before Christmas, seeks advice from his father.

"Dad," he says, "I don't really need anything. What should I do with this money?"

The father refers the teen to the bishop, who, in turn, refers him to the home teachers of a family in need.

But before the young man can determine the most appropriate gift for someone in that needy family, his own family jumps in. Why not, they reason together, combine their efforts and provide Christmas gifts for the entire family?

In another part of the ward, a single mother with three children struggles to provide. But, for a 3-, 4- and 7-year-old, telling the difference between wants and needs is sometimes a bit difficult. So when the home teachers tell the mother that anonymous help is at hand she is understandably pleased.

When the help arrives — and the gifts are unwrapped Christmas morning — the mother is overwhelmed. Even she wonders if others have been too generous.

But odd as it seems, it is nevertheless true that temporal gifts can have a spiritual value. Yes, a Batman costume or a doll can sometimes open a door for a spiritual blessing far beyond the monetary value of the gift.

But only if the temporal gifts are just the start.

Essential to the completion of such an act of kindness is personal attention and love. The temporal gifts can open doors, but real blessings flow — to all involved — as we give of ourselves and attend to personal needs. As the ensuing feelings of gratitude, kindness and love develop, trust and understanding increase. Tender feelings invite the influence of the Spirit. The Spirit teaches, testifying of the truth, and leads one toward the Savior.

Mormon, in a letter to his son, taught that it is a similar set of steps that leads one to conversion. And, while the context is a little different, the internal process is very similar.

"And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;

"And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." (Moroni 8:25-6.)

Temporal gifts are certainly not the only way to achieve those feelings.

But, at times, they can certainly be a good way.

Good, largely because, in this temporal world, temporal gifts are a tangible tool for teaching us to give. If we listen to the Spirit's promptings, then once we've been blessed by the good feelings associated with giving, we step forward with other, less temporal, gifts. Like all gospel principles, those efforts bring blessings and benefits that, in turn, build upon themselves. Blessings follow — and lead to — good works.

Those whose lives are built upon service fully understand the process. But even they are sometimes taken aback by how fully the blessings are bestowed. Given the reliability of the process, what's surprising is that we don't more often avail ourselves to it.

Temporal gifts are good also because those in need are often first touched by temporal kindness. The gifts fill a legitimate need. But, then, it is the genuine gesture that opens the door for eternal blessings.

In writing to the Romans, Paul said that God's gift to the world is "eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (See Romans 6:23.) To provide that gift, both God and Christ gave of themselves. They gave something no one else could. And they gave with pure love.

We should do as well.