My Farewell given in church today:
Early in his ministry, the Savior called his disciples to go forth and preach His word. These were largely fishermen with little money. They must have worried how they would provide for themselves and their families as they left to preach. Calming their fears Jesus said, "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses…for the workman is worthy of his meat."
The Savior, nearing the end of His life, could again sense the fear growing in His disciples. He reminded them, "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, nothing."
We live in times of great uncertainty when the necessities of life seem harder to come by and where the burden of providing for our families seems heavier than in days past. Although the road may be rough, when we walk with Him we need not worry for in Christ we lack nothing.
These words are printed beneath a painting of Christ and His disciples by artist Liz Lemon Swindle. When I first saw it I was reminded of Elder Neil L. Andersen's message from this past conference:
"Can you imagine the scene of the eleven Apostles on the mountain near Galilee when the risen Lord came to them and said: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”? …Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
He then asked the question: “All nations”? “All the world”? “Every creature”?
Then Elder Andersen answered his own question and quoted D&C 58:64
“The voice of warning shall be unto all people.” “For, verily, the sound must go forth … into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.”
Many of you will remember the words of President Monson from October 2012 General Conference
"As we have prayerfully pondered the age at which young men may begin their missionary service, we have also given consideration to the age at which a young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21".
I was in my dorm kitchen watching the Saturday morning session of conference on a lap top with a few of my roommates when the change was announced. For me, there has always been a desire to serve a mission and knowing that I would soon be turning 19 I started to seriously give place in my mind and heart to know how and when.
A few weeks later I was sitting in my band class when my director had a visitor come in to our room to speak with us about a musical opportunity in Nauvoo and anyone interested could send in a DVD of their audition.
As the days passed I couldn't get shake the feeling that I should send in a submission but with work and classes I couldn't find the time. Days before it was due I scrambled to put something together and mailed it in with no expectation that it would even be considered. An email came a week later notifying me that I was a finalist and that I would need to attend a live audition in Salt Lake City.
On January 5th I arrived early to the Joseph Smith Memorial building and made my way to the 10th floor. As I was warming up my instrument I bent over to pull up my sagging tights and my nail ripped a hole in the right leg. My first thought, "This must be bad luck". Then someone came over to tell me that it was my turn. My heart was pounding as I entered the room to see 4 Elderly brethren sitting down. I happily introduced myself, smiled and used a little humor to help me feel less nervous and hoped they weren't looking at the hole in my tights.
After the auditions all the finalists were invited to stay for a special lunch and program. At the very end the performing missionaries from previous years bore their testimonies and shared their experiences in Nauvoo. It was at that moment when I felt the spirit witness to me and I knew that I wanted this opportunity…more than anything I've ever wanted before.
Two days later I received the call inviting me to serve with 16 other musicians as a Young Performing Missionary in Nauvoo.
“For, verily, the sound must go forth … into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.”
Alma understood this when he declared in Alma 29
O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth…
And then in D&C 29:4
…verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.
The first great sound of truth was declared by the Prophet Joseph:
“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
“… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
This truth is celebrated again and again every time we sing the words…Oh How Lovely was the Morning
…and it is felt again and again in the hearts of those who visit the city of Nauvoo.
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter. He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
As a personage of spirit, the Holy Ghost can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time.
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fiber and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.”
Music has been called the universal language. It crosses boundaries of language and culture and communicates depths of feeling words rarely can. It can invite the spirit of revelation and reflection.
In October 1974 President Kimball asked: “What is the greatest blessing that can come to man? The answer was given to John and Peter Whitmer: … ‘And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father.’ (D&C 15:6.)”
President Kimball went on to say “If one labors all his days and brings save it be one soul! … One soul! How precious! “Oh, that God would give us that kind of love for souls!”
Kendra joined the church when she was 15. She lived in Washington, the 6th of 7 girls. Her father left their family when she was 7 years old and he has not seen them or talked to them since. When in High School Kendra dated a young man who just happened to be a member of the church. He introduced her to the missionaries and even after they stopped dating they remained friends and she continued taking the missionary discussions. At first her mother would not let her get her baptized, thinking it was just a phase that her daughter was going through and she would eventually get over it. Kendra continued seeing the missionaries and then approached her mother once again, asking if she could get baptized. This time her mother consented.
Kendra is now 19. She was my roommate at BYU this past year. She once told me that no one else in her family has any interest in learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ but she did remember a time when she happened to overhear her mother talking with a few other ladies and telling them, "I know my daughter is a good girl and is making good choices…SHE IS GOING TO BYU!"
One of the things Kendra loves about the gospel is the warm and welcoming spirit of the members. What a blessing it was for me to know and love her and be strengthened by her growing testimony. How grateful I am for the missionaries who were instrumental in bringing her to a knowledge of the truth and helping her to feel the love of the Savior.
Traditionally, this time I have to speak to you today is called my "mission farewell" but it truly is a farewell…as we are moving in a few weeks.
I was 12 when we moved into this ward. Sister Mathison was my first Young Women's president.
As I look out and see the familiar faces of those who greatly influenced me over these last seven years…and for whom I am most grateful
I now stand before you and testify that Jesus Christ lives. This is His church upon the earth today and He continues to lead and direct it through a living prophet, President Monson.
Every day I feel the love and mercy of my Savior and I know that He forgives and makes it possible for us to hope and look forward to living again in His presence.
The Savior's love is real and it is available to everyone. I especially feel this when I study and ponder the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is the inspired word of God. I know without any doubt that Joseph Smith translated this holy record by divine power and it is through him that the Lord restored His gospel again to the earth.
I have experienced the power of the Holy Ghost. It is through the gift and influence of the Holy Ghost that I was guided and lead to receive this special call to serve as a Young Performing Missionary in Nauvoo.
This special mission call presented me with the opportunity to enter the House of the Lord. What a glorious experience to go into the Temple with my parents and my brother and sister near my side. Each week in Nauvoo we will have the occasion to return to the Temple every Wednesday.
The Lord's plan is a plan of happiness. It is a plan that provides laws and ordinances, that when followed and obeyed keep us on a course of progression that allows us to become more and more like Him and to experience great joy in this life.
I also know that in this life we will experience hard things. Because the Savior also experienced hard things He is the perfect source to turn to for comfort and peace and the help to keep going.
One of the hardest things may be to share the message of the gospel with friends or neighbors.
You might remember this little story from an October 2000 conference talk:
Consider that you are invited to a friend’s house for breakfast. On the table you see a large pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice from which your host fills his glass. But he offers you none. Finally, you ask, “Could I have a glass of orange juice?”
He replies, “Oh, I am sorry. I was afraid you might not like orange juice, and I didn’t want to offend you by offering you something you didn’t desire.”
Maybe it's not quite exactly the same, but we have something even sweeter to share and we must accept the responsibility that is ours to share it.
I love my Savior. He is my nearest and dearest friend. It is my greatest privilege to serve Him and lend my musical talents to His work and the spreading of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help make ready the world for His great return as our Lord and King.
