Earning the gift of eternal life?

Source: Ensign » 2008 » November (local copy)

The article writes:

"And because of the Atonement, eternal life — which is living forever in God’s presence, the 
greatest of all the gifts of God — became a possibility. To qualify for eternal life, we must 
make an eternal and everlasting covenant with our Heavenly Father."

On the one hand, the LDS Church teaches that eternal life is a gift. On the other hand, she
teaches that you must earn or qualify for this gift.

Think about that for a moment.  Have you ever received a Christmas gift or a birthday gift?

Did you have to qualify for this gift or was it really a free (and unearned) gift given solely
due to love?

If you have to qualify or earn something, then it is not a gift.