Skeptics and non-believers always have raised questions about the story of Christ's birth as it is celebrated by much of the world this time of year. This Christmas season, some of those questions have been highlighted in large cover stories by two well-respected news magazines.

To people without the aid of modern revelation and the restored truths of the gospel, it must seem confusing, indeed.

Some modern scholars question everything from the star that appeared in the sky to Bethlehem as the site of Christ's birth to, ultimately, His divine nature as the literal Son of God. The idea of divine birth, they say, was a common theme in the non-Jewish world at the time. In Time magazine, Stephen Peterson of Eden Theological Seminary makes a list of ancient fabled birth stories: Romulus and Remus, Plato, Alexander and Augustus, etc.

Certainly, some aspects of the Christmas story are not accurate as now popularly portrayed. Christ was not born on Dec. 25. The typical Nativity scene bears little relationship to the place where the birth actually took place.

But these are minor details. Christ's divine nature, His birth as a fulfillment of prophecy and His mission to redeem mankind are all essential truths. They are absolutely critical for understanding not only the Atonement, but also our own identities as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. Without them, life has no meaning. With them, we understand our own divine natures.

In many ways, the skepticism is understandable. Without the aid of modern revelation, and without a believing heart, it would be easy to go wrong. But the restored gospel and modern prophets make the record clear.

In the Book of Mormon, the Spirit of the Lord appears to Nephi in a vision and shows him Mary. "Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

"And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

"And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms" (1 Nephi 11:18-20).

This is one of many Book of Mormon scriptures concerning Christ's birth. Others testify as well of the signs surrounding that event.

Modern prophets have added their own testimonies:

"Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which He performed His mission in the flesh was sired by that same Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father. He was not the son of Joseph, nor was He begotten by the Holy Ghost. He is the Son of the Eternal Father!" (Ezra Taft Benson, as quoted in I Know that My Redeemer Lives: Latter-day Prophets Testify of the Savior, Deseret Book, page 205.)

Perhaps the most powerful testimony of all came from the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon:

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-23).

This is vital knowledge for the people of the earth to possess. As President David O. McKay said, "A mere belief in Jesus as a great teacher or even as the greatest man that ever lived has proved inadequate in combating the ills of the world."

Instead, Christ conquered all, and through Him, we can return to our Father in Heaven. That is the greatest message that can be offered in this, or any other, season.