Christmas Magic vs. Priesthood

Magic is the ability to exert one's own will (for good or bad) on the universe. It doesn't have to involve supernatural means.  Our society praises individuals that demonstrate great skill and ability to achieve or obtain the objects of their desires. Unfortunately, only practicing white or good magic is still wrong because, unfortunately, we don't always know what is good and right.

Priesthood, on the other hand, is the authority and power to spread God's will in the universe. Spreading God 's will is never done by coercive or deceptive means or force.  Priesthood finds its power by strict human self-restraint of our natural appetites and passions.  Also, prieshood is empowered by subordinating our individual will to the will of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

When we say that men should be free to follow the dictates of their own conscience.  This doesn't mean that society should encorage its citizens to "do whatever they want".  Rather, the hope is that our society will encourage its citizens to seek the will of God and their good conscience (not appetites) and be free to follow that. 

Jesus Christ as our examplar was empowered to be good and do good because of His love and devotion to His Father.  Christ again and again told us that He had come to to do his own will but to to the will of the Father in all things.  Christ's example of charity was His perfect love--- for the Father .  It is because of His love and devotion that Christ was empowered to make such a profound impact on the world, which we remember and commemmorate this Christmas.

Merry Christmas