Hello family and
friends. Well last Sunday March 31 2013 I had my farewell and it was
so awesome to see my friends and family come and support me with the
next chapter of my life. For those who couldn't make it here was the
talk that I gave :)
Good
morning brothers and sisters- Happy Easter Sunday. When I was little
Easter was all about finding my Easter basket that the Easter bunny
secretly hid from me and every year I could find my siblings baskets
but not mine. It took a little effort and a whole lot of help more
times then not I would have to enlist my dad's help to find where the
sneaky bunny hid it.
As I
grew up and got older I learned that Easter means so much more. It
isn't about what is hidden in the beautifully wrapped baskets but
it's more about the stone being rolled away and the Savior living
among us again. When we were little we were taught that when we die
our spirits will go up to heaven and be with our Heavenly Father, if
we do all that is asked of us and endure to the end. So that's why we
are here to receive our bodies and to prove or better yet improve
ourselves. The gospel plan was made in heaven and our loving brother
Jesus stepped forward and said he would do his part, giving all the
glory to our Heavenly Father.
We
all know the sweetest story ever told- the Savior was born on this
Earth as a babe in Bethlehem. He grew from a child to a man that
lived among many and preformed many mighty miracles everyday. He
gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and motion to the lame,
maimed and withered. He healed the leapers, and even brought life
back to the dead. His life was a miracle. He lived a perfect life
teaching everyone the pattern of a righteous life. The Savior found
delight in living and told his disciple that we should be as thrilled
with the gospel as one who found a great treasure.
The
universal resurrection became a reality with the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. On the third day after His death and burial, Jesus
came forth out of the tomb. He appeared to several men and women,
and then to his apostles. Luke describes it this way: “Jesus
saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and
affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said
unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your
hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me,
and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have...
Then opened their understanding. Later, when Thomas, one of the
twelve, had not been with them when Jesus came, he insisted that he
would not believe unless he could see and feel for himself. Jesus
came to him and said, “Peace be unto you. “Then saith he to
Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach
hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless,
but believing.” That is also what the Savior asks of each of us,
be not faithless but believe in Christ, and believe Christ and His
promise to each of us if we repent and live lives patterned after
His.
President
Monson.said the following-
“Our
Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of
all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death.
The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The
salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been
reclaimed. The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to
Job’s question, 'If a man die, shall he live again?' To all within
the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again.
We know, for we have the light of revealed truth."
The
hope we are given by the resurrection is our understanding that death
is not the end but merely a necessary step from mortality to
immortality. This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life.
The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective
to endure mortal challenges. Because of the resurrection we know
that all these experiences are only temporary. The assurance of the
resurrection also gives us powerful incentive to keep the
commandments of God during our mortal lives.
Joseph
Smith said “The fundamental principles of our religion are the
testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, Concerning Jesus Christ, that
He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into
heaven; And all other things which pertain to our religion are only
appendages to it.”
d
thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” That
is also what the Savior ask of each of us, be not faithless but
believe in Christ, and believe Christ and His promise to each of us
if we repent
The
resurrection is important to each one of us. Why is the resurrection
important to you? I know why it's important to me first of all I
have a loving family that is here today and I know I would be lost
with out their love and their influence. They are truly my dearest
and best friends. It's so comforting to me that when one of us
passes away we will be together forever. Some of you may know that I
have an older brother who passed away before I was born when he was
only 11 weeks old. It's such a blessing to know that we will be
together again someday because of the resurrection. He is part of our
motivation to improve ourselves I guess you could say he's waiting
and saving our spots. The assurance of the resurrection helps us bear
mortal separations involved in the death of our loved ones. We are
given hope and strength to carry on until the day we can all be
united.
This
weekend my mom and dad and I went to St. George. While we were
there, we visited the St. George Temple and the visitors center. We
also wanted to take an extra 5 minute detour to see a statue that was
made by a local artist, called “Come Unto Me.” This statue
depicts an aged woman passing through the veil only to be greeted by
the Savior with open arms. This woman was no longer a frail looking
woman, but now she was in perfect condition and stature, running
towards the Savior. It's a comfort and a blessing to know that when
we lose loved ones we will see them again in perfect condition.
In
Alma chapters 40, and 41 talks about the resurrection of all man. We
learn that after man dies there will be a period of time before the
resurrection. During this time we either teach the gospel or learn
of the gospel. We also learn that all things will be returned to
their proper frame. All bodies will be reunited with spirits never
to be separated again. Just as we do missionary work here, missionary
work is happening right now on the other side of the veil. My
brother TJ has been teaching the gospel for awhile now and I am
excited to do my part here on earth. One day my family and I will
gather with TJ never to separated again.
The
greatest miracle that we will ever be part of is the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. He did it for you and me and even those who don't know
anything about him yet.
President
Monson said- "I believe that none of us can conceive the full
import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful
every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. At the
last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed
beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He
gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the
Fall of Adam. To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to [the
Savior]. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He
secured our salvation."
And
that's why I'm going to Birmingham, Alabama. There are people there
looking for the truth. They need what we have. They need the joy of
the gospel. They need to know that God knows who they are and what
they can become. They need to know they are loved and are important
and children of God. They need to learn of the atonement and the
resurrection of Christ. I Am grateful for the opportunity to stand
for the Savior as a missionary in all places, all things and in all
times. I know it wont be easy but I know without a doubt it will be
worth every moment. I know that the Savior lives. I know this church
is true. I know when Joseph Smith was a true prophet and I know that
Thomas S Monson is a true prophet today and gets revelation from our
Heavenly father.
President
Monson said- "I declare my personal witness that death has been
conquered, victory over the tomb has been won. May the words made
sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all. ...
He is risen."
It's
crazy to think that I only have 12 days left here until I will be
entering the MTC. Thank you for all the love and support that
everyone has given me I love you all.
