Gabriel’s Promise
Gabriel’s Promise
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
December 22nd, 2025
Sister Quinn and I enjoyed the two days we spent with you last week celebrating Christmas. Thank you for joining us. Seeing so many of our missionaries together in the Celestial Room of the Oakland Temple is a memory we will never forget.
Several months before the birth of Jesus Christ, a heavenly messenger was sent to deliver an important message to a humble and unsuspecting young woman by the name of Mary. The delivery of this message was the prelude to the birth of the Savior. An account of this visitation is recorded in the first chapter of Luke:
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin… and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:26-33)
Mary is understandably surprised by Gabriel’s visit -- and her future role as the mother of the promised Messiah. She asks and receives an answer from Gabriel about how she is to conceive the Christ Child. At the end of his visitation, Gabriel leaves Mary with a promise that must have done much to calm the fears of this young woman:
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
These simple words, which I call Gabriel’s promise, must have struck deep into the heart of Mary – removing some of the doubt she held. Mary’s response to Gabriel’s promise illustrates her great faith and humility:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
The birth and life of Jesus Christ witness the truthfulness of Gabriel’s promise to Mary. During His life Jesus Christ would perform many miracles. These miracles included, and were not limited to, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, cleansing the leaper, commanding the lame to walk, and even raising the dead. The Savior’s life would culminate in performing the summum bonum of all miracles – His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. All mankind and all of God’s creations are blessed by these two miracles.
The conversation between Mary and Gabriel likely lasted only a few minutes, but this visit teaches an eternal truth -- that our Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ, are Gods of miracles (see 2 Nephi 27:23). Though this was an intimate conversation between Mary and Gabriel, the promise was given without qualification. I testify we can all rely on Gabriel’s promise. I know that if we put our faith and trust in God, just as Mary did, He can calm our fears and make all things possible for us.
I testify that Gabriel’s promise remains effectual in our day – “with God nothing shall be impossible.” I believe we live in a time and place of miracles. We witness reports of God’s miracles in CASRM each week during Miracle Monday. I believe our Father in Heaven works through each of you to perform miracles. Your missionary service, directed by the Spirit, blesses the lives of others. What can be more miraculous than that!?!
Thank you for the miracles we see in your diligent and faith filled missionary service. Sister Quinn and I see a fulfillment of Gabrie’s promise each day across CASRM. We pray the Lord’s choicest and abundant blessings upon each of you this Christmas season. We hope each of you enjoy a merry Christmas.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
