Church history moments: Room for Christ
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Invited to address a special Christmas sacrament meeting in his home ward in 1951, President David O. McKay emphasized that too often there is no room in the heart of man for the Savior or the things that point to religion.
Speaking to the combined membership of the Twenty-seventh and East Twenty-seventh wards in Salt Lake City, as they were known, President McKay turned to the life of the Savior to stress the need to return to Christian principles as a way of peace and righteousness.
He spoke of the biblical account of the arrival of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem and how there was no room for them in the inn and said, "We sometimes omit from our homes the prayer (through) Christ, and the prayer for divine guidance. And sometimes there is no room because of intemperate parents or profane parents."
Continuing he said, "Often there is no room in our hearts for the teachings of the Babe born in Bethlehem."
President McKay then asked, "Are we going to shut Jesus out of our lives through indulgence in the animal things that attract us? .... There is pleasure in any animal indulgence that you wish to participate in. But it is unsatisfying. If we subdue those things and rise in the Spirit of Christ we will find true joy."
If every heart in every home should bid Jesus welcome, "selfishness, jealousy, enmity and all this which bring unhappiness will be replaced by kindness, willing service and good will.... Christ came to give us peace and life eternal. Let us accept of His gift with gratitude and show our thankfulness by following in the pathway that leads to peace."
The responsibility of establishing peace in the world, said President McKay, rests not alone on nations, but "it rests upon every individual, upon every home, upon every hamlet and city. The source of happiness is within one's soul."
In conclusion, President McKay urged the diligent heeding of three principles: first, sincere faith in Christ the Lord; second, self-mastery; and third, service. — From article by Henry A. Smith, Church News, Dec. 26, 1951
