2012 Church Talk

A gem from cleaning out the drive....not sure if this one is already on the blog.

As a senior in high school when I decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints I was frequently asked why; why I chose to be baptized into this church, why not another, and how I knew it was true.  Four years later, similar questions seemed to arise as I decided to serve a mission.  Friends and family asked why now, why when you have so much going on in your life, why did you chose this church.

The answer to all of these questions is so simple to me.  It is all because of my testimony of Christ and His church.  Since I have come to know that this church is true I have desired to share my testimony of Christ, his perfect atonement and the love and plan he has for all of us with others.  I want to talk briefly about how I gained that testimony and what I learned from my conversion.  I did what the scriptures counsel everyone to do; to ask if it is true with the promise that the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth of all things unto the children of men. It is my prayer that you will feel this testifying power in this meeting and the meetings to follow and that it will strengthen your testimony and testify of our Savior and his church.

Moroni teaches this message in the book of Mormon in Moroni 9:3-5, it reads,  

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things and ponder it in your hearts.  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth.”

This was the process I followed to learn this great truth. First, I learned about the church from friends and the missionary discussions, than I pondered it in my heart, and lastly got on my knees and prayed to Heavenly Father asking him if it was true.  As I did a feeling of total peace came over me, which I later came to know as what the scriptures and others refer to as the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of Truth.  This feeling is different for all, but it is always filled with peace, happiness and joy that confirms the truth to everyone who seeks it.  It was more convincing then hundreds and even thousands telling me that that it was true, because it was my own personal witness.  Since I gained this knowledge I now desire to go and share this simple message of how to find out for yourself the truth that Christ lives and that His church of Jesus Christ that was on this earth when he was here has been restored in the latter days.

The true key to missionary work does not rest on the missionaries or the numbers of men and women the church has in the mission field, but is found in the testifying power of the Holy Ghost. Elder LeGrand Richards, describing the Holy Ghost said, “To me the gift of the Holy Ghost is as important to man as sunshine and water are to the plants.  You take them away, and the plants would die.  You take the Holy Ghost out of this church and this church would not be any different than any other church.” 

As full time and member missionaries, it is our responsibility to live worthy so that the Holy Ghost can dwell with us and be a testimony of Christ.  If we live how we should, we have the power to share the gospel of Jesus Christ more effectively and successfully with others.

This knowledge that I gained through prayer made me so happy.  To know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent his son to atone for our sins fills me with joy and overwhelming peace. 

The Savior said to his apostles in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Thinking about the apostles that were here during Christ’s life, the world would examine their lives ant think that they were filled with everything but peace.  They left everything they had to be a follower of Christ and were faced with fatigue, hunger, were tortured for their beliefs, experienced grief from the hardness of others hearts and even death. 

But Christ reassured that his peace was not as the world gives.  The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, has many meanings including safety, tranquility, and friendship, but its primary meaning is completeness, wholeness and perfection.  In the Old Testament to have peace meant to keep a formal covenant of Peace.  The way we enter into a formal covenant today is by being baptized and gaining perfection or wholeness through Christ, who has atoned for all of our sins. 

I love that amidst everything that people are faced with in this life, he promises peace. Amidst horrible disease, unfair terrorist acts, death or heartache from daily struggles or sin, he offers peace through his atonement.  I know that I am only happiest when I am following the commandments, utilizing the atonement in my life, and keeping the covenants I made at baptism and in the temple with my heavenly father. 

People sometimes wonder why I don’t drink anymore or why I follow certain commandments I have been given, thinking of them as restrictions.  But in essence all of our father’s commandments are given to us to make us happy and free. He doesn’t tell us to do anything that would not make us happy, and by following his word, I gain peace and happiness.  To know that I am doing everything so that my family can be sealed together for eternity and that I will be able to return to the presence of the Lord after my short stay here on earth brings me peace and happiness. 

Elder Brough of the 70 says, “The happiness that comes from obedience can be seen in the lives of many people.  When we are obedient, we are blessed with a greater ability to communicate with Heavenly Father and know and do His will.  The willingness of faithful latter-day Saints to obey the Lords call to serve makes possible the churches ability to carry on its mission.  Including missionary work.”

One of my favorite parables in the new testament is the parable of the lost sheep that reads in Luke, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep, which was lost.  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.”

I was once a lost sheep and friends shared with me their testimony of the church, I was ready and willing to listen, and now I want to go share this with others.  I am going on a mission because like the hymn says since I have been given much, I too must give.  So I am doing as the Savior commands in the scriptures to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”   I feel everyone should have the opportunity to hear this gospel and chose for themselves if it is true.  Our Savior loves and knows each of us the same amount.  He wants everyone to come back to the Father’s presence. The Savior told the prophet Joseph smith how valuable each soul is to him in the doctrine and covenants.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, for behold, the lord your redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.  And he hath risen again from the flesh; that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.  And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth.  Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father.

Christ has atoned for all of our sins, great and small.  His work is done, it is now our duty to accept it into our lives and share His message with others.  From the hope that we find in the scriptures and teachings of Christ, I turn to the power that the atonement has had in my life and can have in everyone’s life by reading this simple poem.

T’was battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while,

To waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile. 

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,” “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” 

“A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” Only two? Two dollars and who’ll make it three?”  Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; Going for three—“But no”  From the room, far back a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow;  Then wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet as a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer with a voice that was quiet and low,  Said, “What am I bidding for the old violin?” and he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? “Two thousand!  And who’ll make it three?  Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, And going and gone said he.

The people cheered but some of them cried.

We do not quite understand what changed its worth. 

Swift came the reply, “The touch of the masters hand.

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.  A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, a game and he travels on.

He’s “going” once and “going” twice, He’s going and almost gone.

But the master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand.  The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought by the  touch of the master’s hand.

Testimony.