Meridian Magazine :: Can Do Youth: The Present

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The Present
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

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Through the years I have been given some beautiful presents for Christmas. Some have been a bit elaborate in nature, while others have been less significant in earthly, temporal terms. The ones that have kept in my heart are the ones that were given from the heart.

“Here, Mommy, I made this for you.” Only a Mommy can know how good it feels when a little one holds up a specially made gift, hoping to please and bring joy to one they love. I treasure the little handmade gifts my children create, and keep them carefully put away, or show them off somewhere in the house.

A few of them are decorations that still find their way to our Christmas tree. I smile when carefully placing each one. Memories attend the gift, and my heartstrings go into action. Those gifts were given with love, and they still warm my soul! The happiness that flooded through me when I saw that trinket for the first time comes rushing back each time I re-visit my box of treasures, or hang an ornament. Probably because I know it is given selflessly.

I am hoping the lesson sticks, and that they continue through life with the desire to give of themselves. In so doing, it will create a mortal happiness cycle. I remember President Thomas Monson teaching us that:

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

Perhaps making a living (focusing on ourselves or only tending the temporal needs) might buy some stuff and take care of present concerns; but a life is built upon using the present to focus on things that last eternally.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has stressed the “Six B’s” to us. The joy herein is that if we are working on being better, we may find fewer things to do that will get us into trouble, or distract from eternal goals. Eventually, we find that the values of being have seeped into our hearts and magnified our souls. In fact, as we grow and develop the goodness within us, we create of ourselves a worthy, loving gift to offer back to our Father in Heaven.

One step at a time, one thought at a time, we build a better “us.” Like little children offering up a gift of love given from the heart, we — His children — offer up a “new and improved model” of the life He gave us.

We have this mortal lifetime in which to improve. Knowing that our very life is a great gift from our Father in Heaven, no wonder there is joy in the words of this little adage:

Your “here and now” is a gift. That’s why they call it “the present!’’

Back in April of 1948, Elder Bruce R. McConkie spoke these stirring words at a general conference:

As far as you and I are concerned, at this time, this life is the most important part of all eternity. We have the light and knowledge and revelations of heaven. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, to keep the commandments of God, to hearken to counsels of the living oracles and to press forward in righteousness.

Those words echo the Savior’s own words in D&C 101:37 “Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.” Right now, in “the present,” we have opportunities to gain all kinds of knowledge and blessings as we become a blessing to so many others, and to our God.

Because the English language is one that includes multiple meanings for many words that are spelled the same — here is a thought to ponder: At this time of year, when our celebration of Christmas includes the giving of “presents,” let’s ponder the concept of utilizing “the present” to our best advantage.

Thus, we may “present” our best selves to our Father and to our Savior. What better “present” could we offer to them?

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About the Author:

Vickey is a songwriter/producer, vocalist, and professional speaker, and has performed and/or taught in numerous venues. Her compositions include the theme songs for the Special Olympics program (state by state selection), the Make A Wish Foundation, the Especially For Youth program of the Church, and the Families In Focus program. She is a Billboard award winning songwriter, with hundreds of songs to her credit.

She has enjoyed participation in the Church Education System’s youth and family programs for almost two decades, having taught for Know Your Religion, Campus Education Week at BYU-Provo, BYU-Hawaii, and BYU- Idaho, Especially for Youth, Best of Especially for Youth, and BYU Conferences and Workshops.

Studying musical theater at BYU, she has used that learning experience in the music field as a way of enhancing the teaching of correct principles. Her latest gospel works include the collaborative projects "Women at the Well" with Kenneth Cope and "My Beloved Christ" with Randy Kartchner. Vickey has contributed to numerous EFY albums over the years and as a chapter contributor for many yearly EFY books; and as contributor the best selling LDS compilation, Sunshine for the Latter Day Saint Teenage Soul. She authored the book K.I.S.S.: Gospel Guidelines for Better Relationships for Bookcraft Publishing Company. For two years she was editor and columnist for "Gems for Youth" on the web at LDSWorld.com, formerly the Church’s electronic arm.

Vickey’s performance/teaching experience includes venues from participation with a nationally touring Repertory Theater Company to Symphony Halls to corporate conventions throughout the U.S. She has been commissioned to write scripts for the Faith & Values Channel; and created and directed the Bi-Centennial celebration for the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.

She holds a masters degree in interpersonal communications and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is married to Dean Taylor and together they have eight children and two grandchildren.