(Spencer's Farewell Talk)
The Gospel to All the World
- Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy: April 2013
General Conference
I
recently re-watched the “5,000 Days Project: Two Brothers,” a documentary
following two LDS brothers from childhood to their early adult years. In it we watch elder brother, Sam, as he
serves a mission in Chile. There, he
experiences struggle and we see candid clips showing his emotions. Sam references John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” and
shares his realization that the perfect example of manhood and self-mastery,
Jesus Christ, wept so we should not be afraid to cry. I would like to ask you
to remember this as I continue my talk as I have difficulty controlling my own
emotions when speaking of the things closest to my heart.
I feel blessed for the many
examples surrounding me. I have a strong
testimony that specific people are placed in our lives with a purpose. I am grateful for our need of others. Mosiah 18:21, instructs us to have “hearts
knit together in unity and love one towards another.” The
plan of salvation is based upon our interdependence of one another: family,
friends, and church members along with our dependency on the Godhead,
especially the loving, Atoning sacrifice of our Savior. 2 Nephi 1:21 reminds, “be determined in one
mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into
captivity.” We need unity as support
throughout life. I will reference Elder
Dickson’s talk “The Gospel to All the World” from the April 2013 General Conference
and share the unity I have felt in my life and the unifying role in missionary
work.
Growing up in Belgium and Switzerland gave me many
incredible opportunities, but for most of my years I was the only “Mormon” at
school. However, I was able to find friends
who supported me in my beliefs and respected my standards despite their
differing faiths or opinions. I learned to share my testimony and my friends
have given me new perspectives, teaching me truths found in their cultures and
belief systems. They are rooted in their
own views but never failed to encourage me to pursue my own path. I found this especially true in their support
of my mission; from joining me to open my mission call to attending my farewell
back in Geneva they were a constant source of support. I love the differences we have and the
similarities we share and I admire their examples of acceptance and respect.
Although members were few at
school I was always blessed with a devoted youth group. Their testimonies strengthened my own and our
shared circumstance, particularly being the minority at various schools,
allowed us to seek guidance and learn from each other. I have the privilege to join the missionary
force alongside many friends from past places I have lived. These member
friends have been great examples of diligence and faith.
Recently, the blessings of my
heritage are becoming apparent to me.
Firstly, my ancestors’ devotion to God led to the blessings of being
born into the family with love of Christ’s gospel. Such love and understanding
was shown by Mary Murray Murdoch, or ‘Wee Granny’ as she was called reaching
the height of 4-foot-7. Wee Granny died
travelling along the Mormon Trail with her last words a wish for her son to
know that she died with her “face towards Zion.” From early on my predecessors have been
teaching their family the importance of following Christ. My ancestors’ righteous lives act as
guideposts that I try to follow. My
great-grandfather Spencer W. Kimball, for whom I was named, was a man of
humility, courage, and boldness. His well-known
phrases: “do it” and “lengthen your stride” are reminders I need everyday. These sayings make me think of Mosiah 21:16,
“they began to prosper by degrees in the land.”
This gospel is a gospel of change.
It is not always immediate but as we work we will be consistently
blessed with the ability to better ourselves, one flaw at a time. I am thankful to feel the love, presence, and
unity of my ancestors still today.
President Kimball also
reiterated the goal to spread the gospel “to all the world.” In Matthew 28:19 the Lord conveys his desire
to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Elder
Dickson mentions how the revelation received, while Spencer W. Kimball was
prophet, “extending priesthood and temple blessing to all worthy male members
of the Church” (Official Declaration 2) impacted the growth of the church in
the African continent, strengthening local members and church leaders. As Elder and Sister Dickson lived and worked
for many years with the Saints of Africa he is a witness of their growth and
the truth of the revelation mentioned before.
Elder Dickson connects that “the revelations” of today mirror that of
old and “follow the Lord’s established patterns.”
The reason for these
revelations and the role of missionary work is to spread the message of and
therefore fulfill God’s purpose found in Moses 1:39, “For behold, this is my
work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Our Heavenly Father loves all of His children
and wants each of us to know it. In “My
Missionary Commission” Elder Bruce R. McConkie, speaking as a missionary,
states, “by revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the
Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my Master and
He has chosen me to represent Him. To
stand in His place.” As, neither
Heavenly Father nor Christ are on earth, missionaries must act to accomplish
God’s work to “preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15) unifying all
as children of God.
I have four devoted
grandparents whom I look up to. They
show love and care for their now larger families. They encourage and support me in my mission
call and remind me of its importance through their actions and words. Due to the lives they have lived and the
children they have raised to be my parents I am blessed. Their choices have led me to find the
testimony I have today, and all of the blessings that I receive from this
knowledge.
I have three irreplaceable
sisters who have helped me prepare for my mission throughout my whole life, and
more specifically as my mission approaches.
Kathryn is my eldest sister who, as a returned missionary, gives me
advice such as the importance of being bold and how sometimes as a missionary
that means having to be awkward but she also assures me that when I hearken to
the Spirit I will be guided. Kristin is
currently serving her mission in California and our service will overlap for
about a year. Her current example of
teaching the gospel and excitement for me to join her in the Lord’s work
motivates me greatly. Sydney, my one
younger sister, and I can sympathize over the scariness of a new start and she
is helping me prepare at home by spending time with me before I go. Their friendship, love and examples in faith
are things I would not easily be able to live without.
My Parents are two loving
examples that have built a family with a strong foundation in this gospel.
In high school I had the
opportunity to travel to India for a humanitarian trip. I witnessed a lot of poverty and got a
glimpse of the struggle so many people in the world suffer through daily. When I returned home I discussed with my
mother the question ‘how can we fix the terrible problems of the world?’ My mom then told me that through missionary
work we would bring the greatest happiness to the lives of those we teach. Naively I thought she was right to a degree
but when people are hungry and homeless the gospel isn’t the first thing they
need. In Mosiah 18:29 we can find the
answer, “they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both
temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.” Jesus Christ was the perfect example of
finding balance between the spiritual and the temporal needs of the people
during his earthly ministry. Elder
Dickson in his talk went on to say, “It has been said of Africans that they
have very little of what matters least and a great deal of that which matters
most.” I wanted the answer to solving
the world’s problems to be grand and spectacular, and in a way it is, but I now
believe that the simpler acts of spreading gospel truths is what the world is
most in need of. My mother has been a
great example of faith to me and has taught me what in life really
matters. This has led to a greater
desire, within me, to serve a mission because of the greater understanding of
the effect it can have on others’ lives.
Another man that I am honored
and humbled to share a name with is my father.
I will share one experience that struck me and illustrates the man he
is. One night after attending church
meetings and seeing to his responsibilities as Bishop my dad was driving me
home when he remembered to call a recent convert. She was a single mother of three in a foreign
country with very little means; she hadn’t been to church because of back aches
she had endured from her labor intensive work and caring for her youngest
daughter who was still a toddler. In the
call my father offered her a priesthood blessing and she accepted. In my head I was tired, hungry, and thought
she was kind faking or at least exaggerating the pain as an excuse; I wanted to
go home. However, we proceeded to stop
by their apartment where we visited with them and my father gave the mother a
blessing. Throughout our stay in their
home I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was the precise place we were
meant to be. My heart was softened as I
saw my father worthily exercise his priesthood power in service. As I discuss my mission with my dad he
repeatedly advises, “Love the people you serve.” My father’s example of compassionate service
as a priesthood holder has taught me the kind of man and missionary I need to
be. With this, I am reminded of a
favorite scripture found in Mosiah 2:17, “And behold, I tell you these things
that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when you are in the service of
your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” Service, including missionary service, is the
ultimate way to express love for others as well as to our Father in Heaven and
Christ. That night my father showed
unity among “fellow beings” and “God.”
I would like to end with
declaring my testimony of the Godhead. I
have noticed that with time the words of my testimony have not changed, but it
is the depth of meaning and understanding that have developed within me.
The gift of the Holy Ghost
truly is a divine gift. The
companionship, comfort and love expressed by the Spirit let’s me know of Christ
and my Heavenly Father’s love and will for me.
The Holy Ghost testifies the truth of the gospel. I am grateful for the logic of the gospel but
am more thankful for the spiritual testimony of the truth. The Holy Ghost is a real being whom I have
physically felt in my heart and brings us closer to God.
My loving Heavenly Father
answers my prayers and I know He will answer the prayers of any humble,
faithful believer. His will and plan for
us will bring us more joy than we now can comprehend. His power is matchless and his efforts to
reach us personally allow us to know of his love specifically for us. Our Heavenly Father is looking to bless
us. As soon as we make choices and act
to follow Him I have instantaneous blessings.
Whether it is praying or reading my scriptures more diligently I
instantly feel the Spirit enter my heart and communicate the love of God and
the correctness of my actions.
Christ in my Savior. Matthew 11:28-30 shows the nature of Jesus,
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden in light.” Christ invites us all
to come unto Him and he promises a partnership in working together to strengthen
ourselves. The Atonement of Jesus Christ
is the greatest blessing we have. Our
Redeemer saved us from both physical and spiritual death so we can be
resurrected and repent of our sins. Alma
7:13 supports this, “the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might
take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
transgressions according to the power and his deliverance.” Christ knows of our pains, struggles, and
most intimate hardships. He is here to
help perfect us as we choose to follow Him.
By the power of God, Joseph
Smith restored Christ’s true church to the earth and translated the Book of
Mormon. The scriptures, especially the
Book of Mormon, include God’s teachings that apply directly to His children and
will guide us. Joseph Smith was a
prophet as are all Latter-day presidents of the church. Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet of
God and receives revelation for the world.
We can receive personal revelation when we seek for it and pray in
humility. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
live today and love all of us. I know I
have been called of God to serve the people of Poland at this time to share
this testimony with them.
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