Much like the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley we at times have this attitude that life is to be enjoyed, …show more content…
but that’s easier said than done, right? Not everything is a good old walk in the park, or a stroll down main street. That’s not always the case. Yet, there are times when even in the midst of disappear we can feel pure joy and be at peace.
Brothers and Sisters, this peace, this joy is what I wish to speak to you about. To draw on the experiences and events that have happened in my life and also during their past two years. Not to simply talk about what an amazing experience it was to serve the Lord, as one of his full time missionaries. But in hopes that the words in which I will speak today will uplift, encourage and inspire those who are seeking answers. There are those of you who came to this meeting today, as refugees from the storm. Not war battered and beaten as we have seen these recent months. But as spiritual refugees, those who want answers, and may even be in the midst of their disappear currently. My hope is that the spirit will open the hearts and minds of everyone here, and together that we all may be edified, uplifted and rejoice together.
May I start by saying what an amazing pleasure it is to stand here before you today.
Shaky knees or not, I am grateful and honored that I have this opportunity to share with you what I love most. That is Restored The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how this has brought me from the edge of life, hanging by a thread. To a man full of hope, joy and love. I cherish life and I don’t think I’ll ever look at it the same again. I’ve seen so many things, and I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven, and a Savior who deeply cares for each of us. They are pulling for our well being and they do want us to succeed. Our Father in Heaven has told us his purpose, it’s stated so clearly in the Pearl of Great Price, you would have to be foolish not to recognize it. In the Book of Moses it states, “For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) Our Father wants us, each of us to achieve this joy. He has set out the path that is ahead of us. Will we walk the straight and narrow and make it back to him? Brothers and Sisters. The answer to these rhetorical questions is, yes! And here is the example of …show more content…
how…
“And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:19-20) That simple phrase, “and endure to the end…” How hard could that be? Are we meant to yoke ourselves and put our heads down and just push relentlessly? No. We have been given a greater commandment.
A commandment that has been given since the beginning of time, one that just make sense. And any other way would be fruitless or futile. Jesus Christ spoke these words of council and comfort to the Prophet Joseph Smith in his depths of despair. “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8) Again those words, “if thou endure it well…” we are meant to have joy, even if walking through the refiners fire.
That path might seem lonely, or even never ending. I know it well, I’ve walked it. During my early years of my youth, and this may come as a surprise to a few but many of you know me, know that path that I was on. I wasn’t active in church, in fact I had made up my mind that I didn't want anything to do with religion or with God at all. I was on a set course to live my life and live it according to how I wanted to. For years I walked that path, I even told myself that I was happy. Yet, I did not or could not trust anyone, and I was alone, cold, and distant.
Until that year… my life started to change. Through circumstances, and other things I could not control. I was packed up and shipped out to this place where I know stand. I came to Vista as a stranger, I thought I was alone, I thought I had no one. Very quickly that all changed.
I had a seminary teacher, who helped me put a piece of my heart back, that I didn’t know was missing. He shared with me a humble, but power testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I had friends who mean the world to me, who showed me love and compassion, even though I thought I was undeserving. I had leaders who encouraged me and showed me that I could make more of my life. I had a mentor who taught me and guided my wondering soul. All these wonderful people, became my family. I began to trust again, and feel something. Things I hadn’t felt in years. With in my heart, a small flame grew. A desire to give back because I had been given so much. Out of that desire grew a love for the Lord. I look back now and ponder on why I didn’t realize what I had then. But due to my own prideful ways I ran, and I ran farther and faster away from these loving people who had embraced me. Soon I found myself on that familiar path again. Right back where I thought I’d never be.
Over the next few years I learned lessons the hard way. Foolishly taking the easier left, rather than what President Thomas S. Monson has ask of us to do, which is, “Choose the harder right.” Faced with questions, doubts and despair, I fell into one of the darkest times of my life. I was a man at the end of a rope, clutching, clinging, hanging on for dear life. Until one day, an old friend who I hadn’t spoken to in years, changed my life. He reminded me who I was, and where I came from, and what I was meant to do. His words pierced my heart once again. I found my self pondering them for months. Until one day I felt a prompting, a prompting that again grew into a desire. The spirit reminded me of something the bishop had told me.
The prompting was to read my scriptures.
It didn’t matter how much or how long, but to at least read a verse. So that’s what I did. Day after day, I read a verse, maybe two. Until I was reading a page, or even a chapter. Then one day it hit me. I had had a change of heart. The spirit was surly working wondering in my life. The Lord was softening a hard hearted man, until I was ready to hear to words in which he was speaking. All of a sudden, as if it happen in an instant, I fell to my knees and prayed for the first time in years. I prayed and truly meant what I had said, I had a desire to change for good. That night I gave my all over to the Lord. And in response, he caused my heart to burn and my mind to be enlightened. I experienced a mighty change of heart. It drove me as ask, seek, and knock. I know how my prayers where answered that night. Because the next day my life changed. The events of what happen could not be any more clear that it was God telling me that he had me. That everything was going to be okay. And from that day forth I haven’t looked back. I fought like a lion to do everything that was needful for me to fulfill my promise I had made with he Lord years prior. He helped me, he sent others to guide me, I wasn't alone in my trails and tribulations. Even when there was no one there physically I still felt his loving embrace and hand in my life. Sometimes with a feeling of love in my heart, or a passage of scripture running through my mind, or on those rare
but powerful instances. I have felt arms literally embrace me. His love is real brothers and sisters. Because of the love the Savior, I made it through. I overcame much, so that I could share with others the light, the love and the joy of the gospel.
I’ve thought and pondered about what to share and whose lives were touched the most by the gospel. Yet, it wouldn’t be fare for me to say one person had greater significance than another.
Each is a beloved son or daughter of our Heavenly Father, just like you and I. Though I will speak about a few that have been changed by the gospel but also made a huge impact upon my life entirely.
But first a question. When the challenges of life kick in and things get rough, what do we do. Do we quit, given up, say we are beaten, and throw the towel in…? No, no never!
Entering in the the missionary training center was a special experience for me. There I met my first companion, we soon became fast friends. I love that man, and after our short twelve days together our time was ended, as he departed to a different mission and to experience those people of Bakersfield California. I learned from this first experience, that God knows me and loves me. Two that I needed to have a friend during those twelve days to help me prepare for what would come next. I soon learned that not every companion is a walk in the park, like my MTC companion. The transition from normal worldly life to full fledged missionary life was not easy. To be honest it was hard, one of the hardest things I’ve done up until that point in my life. So being with someone that wasn’t family, who was a stranger and who was completely different form you shook me to the core. I was in a strange land again, and not sure of what I got myself into. The stresses of missionary life took its tool, spiritually, emotionally and physically. With in weeks I was lost and wandering, wondering why I came out of a mission in the first place. I sat and prayed concerning my purpose, and what I was meant to do there in Tucson.
The answer did not come until a few weeks latter. There I sat, across the table from a young girl who would soon alter the corse of my life. Another person who would shape me into the person I needed to be.