Sunday, September 8, 2013

Spencer's Farewell Talk


(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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