Maurice's mission farewell was on July 31st at 9:00 a.m., just ten hours after Garrett and I returned from New York. Jill was nice enough to let Garrett and I stay the night at her home. Lisa and her children were also staying with Jill. It was fun to see everyone for a minute before we all crashed for the night.
Reese was very nervous the morning of his farewell. He asked all of us to sit way in the back so he wouldn't have to see us. Of course, we all sat in the very front of the chapel so we could see and hear him perfectly. He gave a tremendous talk. It was obvious that he was nervous, but he shouldn't have been. He spoke as if he gave talks frequently. I was very impressed with his testimony and the experiences he shared. I had him send me his talk so Russ, Grant, and Gracie could read it (they weren't able to make it home from Yellowstone in time for the farewell).
Good morning bros. and sisters
I am so excited to have this opportunity to talk to this morning. I am actually so
excited that my legs are shaking uncontrollably right now. And before I start I
would like to thank bishop Dixon for giving me possibly the hardest topic for a talk
ever.
But when I was 16 I received my patriarchal blessing. I remember fasting before
I went to see the stake patriarch for what it seemed to be for forever. I can
remember driving over to his house being extremely excited and nervous. I
remember walking into his house and sitting on his couch to talk with him for
a few minutes about me and a few things about my life. After we talked for a
couple minutes he sat me down at his table and began to give me a blessing. I
can remember the power in the words that he spoke. I felt an incredible warmth
within me because of those powerful words. I knew this feeling was because
the Spirit was testifying to me. He was testifying to me about the truth of those
words. It was so weird that someone I did not know well could give me a blessing
that was so personal. There is no way that this could be possible without him
receiving revelation from the Holy Ghost. I know at that time the Spirit was giving
him direct revelation in order for his words to be so powerful. I remember feeling
the Spirit very strongly in that room. At that time it was the strongest I have ever
felt the Spirit.
God loves all of us and wants to help us so that we can live with him again
someday. He is anxious to support us in our practical and specific challenges. This
is why he has given us personal revelation, the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost
to guide us down the straight and narrow path.
Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, in general conference in the
fall of 2007, said (quote) “Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves
the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal
Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel;
and God’s purpose and direction for us.” (End quote) We can recognize and
understand the Spirit by diligently seeking through our scriptures. When we seek
through the scriptures we can find we are able to obtain guidance for our lives
and even all the things pertaining to the things in our Fathers kingdom as it says
in D&C 76:7-10 (it reads) Personal revelation is very important. It is so important
that if we did not have personal revelation not even the prophets of old would
not be able to minister to the children of men. Joseph Smith once said “Salvation
cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it.”
We can gain personal revelation by, as I said before, repenting of our sins, asking
in prayer, by being obedient, searching the scriptures and thinking pure and clean
thoughts. We can make a setting in order to receive personal revelation. We can
do this by fasting and by developing a spirit of reverence. Elder Boyd K. Packer
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said that “Inspiration comes more
easily in a peaceful setting.” He continued by saying that “Irreverence suits that
purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in
both mind and spirit. And that “Reverence invites Revelation.”
I find that in my life whenever I am seeking personal revelation, I usually go to
one of the rooms that no one goes into very often and wait until I am at home by
myself and pray to my Heavenly Father for guidance.
About a year and a half ago at the start of 2010 I remember I was having a hard
time because I really wanted to get a scholarship to play college football
somewhere. I was calling universities about sending them my game tape and
seeing if they were interested in me playing for them. For about a month or two I
was calling about ten to 12 schools a week from eastern Michigan University to
North Texas University to Utah State, BYU and Utah and asking them if they had
received my film, what they thought about it and you know if I could get a
scholarship. And after about two or three calls to each school they all said were
interested in you but, you know we don’t have any more scholarships to offer
but we would like it if you would come and walk on. And you know I didn’t really
have $15 thousand dollars to go somewhere like Utah State. So I got really
disappointed and went to this room and prayed to my heavenly Father if he
would help me get a scholarship or at least help me to know if you should be
done playing football. a couple days after that I was walking in to basketball
practice and as I was walking past the coaches office and my coach asked me if
everything was ok and earlier I had been a little upset because I wasn’t getting
the results I thought I would be. But I thought that I was playing if off really well
but he caught me and I kind of broke down in his office and he offered me his
help and told me that it would all work out for the better. Later on I got the
inspiration to call my dad and ask him for a little help and at that time we were
not on the best terms and it was really difficult for me to ask him for something
so small. But he decided he would help. About a week later from this I got a call
from Dixie State College, who at that time I never knew even existed, and they
told me that they saw my film and were very excited about me and three days
later I was offered a scholarship to play for them and I excepted.
So I know that by asking for personal revelation about your problems, our
Heavenly Father will help us through our troubles.
The Light of Christ or conscience is another thing that our Heavenly Father has
given to us in order to help us know right from the wrong and help guide us. In
Moroni 7:14-17 or 18 it says… in this it tells us that every person on earth is
given the gift of the light of Christ. Our Father in Heaven gave everyone this gift
so that we can find truth in our lives so that we can find this church and follow
our Heavenly Father’s teachings. The Bible Dictionary tells us that”the light of
Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge and an uplifting
ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus
Christ.” Because everyone has this gift it means that no matter what you do we
will always have this gift with us. President Joseph F. Smith says that this Spirit
of Christ “strives with … men, and will continue to strive with them [if they will
resist the enticings of Satan], until it brings them to a knowledge of the truth and
the possession of the greater light and testimony of the Holy Ghost.” The light of
Christ is an introduction to and prepares us to receive the Holy Ghost. In the bible
dictionary it tells us again that the light of Christ will lead the honest soul who
hearkeneth to the voice’ to find the true gospel and the true church and thereby
receive the Holy Ghost.
The last thing that our Heavenly Father has given us is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is the most important thing we need to recognize and understand the Spirit.
The Holy Ghost is the third part of the Godhead after our Father in Heaven and
Jesus Christ. He is also known as the Comforter who the Lord promised the
Apostles would teach his followers all things. President James E. Faust said, “The
gift of the Holy Ghost comes after one repents and becomes worthy… the Holy
Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God
the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority
can separate him from that knowledge.” The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth. In
Moroni 10:5-6 it says that.
In article written by Jay E. Jensen he says. “The Holy Ghost manifests itself in
many ways. If we are attentive, we will recognize its promptings.” Some of
the ways the Holy Ghost does manifest Himself is by a burning in the bosom,
a quaking frame, a still small voice, by a stupor of thought, by leading, by
constraining us not to do or say something and by testifying to us in our minds
and in our hearts. In D&C 8:2 it says. Of all of these things this is the one that I like
the most. I think the reason for that is because I think I feel this one the most. Like
when I was receiving my patriarchal blessing, I believe the Holy Ghost told me in
my mind and in my heart that the blessing that I was receiving was and still is a
truth that my Heavenly Father has given me.
Everyone is given, by the Holy Ghost, gifts of the spirit. In D&C chapter 46:11 it
says. And from there to verse 33 it lists out many of the gifts of the spirit. to name
a few there’s the gift of wisdom, discernment, knowledge, tongues, the faith to
heal, the faith to be healed, the working of miracles and to prophesy. I find that in
my life I think I have the gift of discernment. I think use this most when I choose
to be friends with people.
I testify to all of you that this is the true church, that Joseph Smith was a true
prophet that he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and the President Thomas
S. Monson is a true prophet and that they both lead our church by revelation
from the Holy Ghost and direction from Jesus Christ himself. And that we by
recognizing and understanding the spirit will help and guide us through all of our
specific troubles and trials. And I am so grateful that I am able to serve the Lord
in Kenya and teach those people the truthfulness of the gospel and I know that I
will be able to teach them these things that they came be the best that they can
be. And I know that if we strive to obtain personal revelation, listen to the light of
Christ and follow the Holy Ghost in our lives Our Heavenly Father will lead us to
truth and light.
And before I end I would like to thank my mom, uncle Kurtis and Russ, my
grandpa all my aunts for being amazing examples to me and for always being
there. I would also like to thank Bishop Dixon, Brother Roger Bulloch, Greg King,
bishop Clawson, Josh Waldren, Kipp Facer,
And all of those who I didn’t name but I was also grateful for I thank all of you
so much and I was so happy to get to know all of you. And I’m not going to say
goodbye but just say I will see you all very soon. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I am so excited to have this opportunity to talk to this morning. I am actually so
excited that my legs are shaking uncontrollably right now. And before I start I
would like to thank bishop Dixon for giving me possibly the hardest topic for a talk
ever.
But when I was 16 I received my patriarchal blessing. I remember fasting before
I went to see the stake patriarch for what it seemed to be for forever. I can
remember driving over to his house being extremely excited and nervous. I
remember walking into his house and sitting on his couch to talk with him for
a few minutes about me and a few things about my life. After we talked for a
couple minutes he sat me down at his table and began to give me a blessing. I
can remember the power in the words that he spoke. I felt an incredible warmth
within me because of those powerful words. I knew this feeling was because
the Spirit was testifying to me. He was testifying to me about the truth of those
words. It was so weird that someone I did not know well could give me a blessing
that was so personal. There is no way that this could be possible without him
receiving revelation from the Holy Ghost. I know at that time the Spirit was giving
him direct revelation in order for his words to be so powerful. I remember feeling
the Spirit very strongly in that room. At that time it was the strongest I have ever
felt the Spirit.
God loves all of us and wants to help us so that we can live with him again
someday. He is anxious to support us in our practical and specific challenges. This
is why he has given us personal revelation, the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost
to guide us down the straight and narrow path.
Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, in general conference in the
fall of 2007, said (quote) “Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves
the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal
Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel;
and God’s purpose and direction for us.” (End quote) We can recognize and
understand the Spirit by diligently seeking through our scriptures. When we seek
through the scriptures we can find we are able to obtain guidance for our lives
and even all the things pertaining to the things in our Fathers kingdom as it says
in D&C 76:7-10 (it reads) Personal revelation is very important. It is so important
that if we did not have personal revelation not even the prophets of old would
not be able to minister to the children of men. Joseph Smith once said “Salvation
cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it.”
We can gain personal revelation by, as I said before, repenting of our sins, asking
in prayer, by being obedient, searching the scriptures and thinking pure and clean
thoughts. We can make a setting in order to receive personal revelation. We can
do this by fasting and by developing a spirit of reverence. Elder Boyd K. Packer
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said that “Inspiration comes more
easily in a peaceful setting.” He continued by saying that “Irreverence suits that
purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in
both mind and spirit. And that “Reverence invites Revelation.”
I find that in my life whenever I am seeking personal revelation, I usually go to
one of the rooms that no one goes into very often and wait until I am at home by
myself and pray to my Heavenly Father for guidance.
About a year and a half ago at the start of 2010 I remember I was having a hard
time because I really wanted to get a scholarship to play college football
somewhere. I was calling universities about sending them my game tape and
seeing if they were interested in me playing for them. For about a month or two I
was calling about ten to 12 schools a week from eastern Michigan University to
North Texas University to Utah State, BYU and Utah and asking them if they had
received my film, what they thought about it and you know if I could get a
scholarship. And after about two or three calls to each school they all said were
interested in you but, you know we don’t have any more scholarships to offer
but we would like it if you would come and walk on. And you know I didn’t really
have $15 thousand dollars to go somewhere like Utah State. So I got really
disappointed and went to this room and prayed to my heavenly Father if he
would help me get a scholarship or at least help me to know if you should be
done playing football. a couple days after that I was walking in to basketball
practice and as I was walking past the coaches office and my coach asked me if
everything was ok and earlier I had been a little upset because I wasn’t getting
the results I thought I would be. But I thought that I was playing if off really well
but he caught me and I kind of broke down in his office and he offered me his
help and told me that it would all work out for the better. Later on I got the
inspiration to call my dad and ask him for a little help and at that time we were
not on the best terms and it was really difficult for me to ask him for something
so small. But he decided he would help. About a week later from this I got a call
from Dixie State College, who at that time I never knew even existed, and they
told me that they saw my film and were very excited about me and three days
later I was offered a scholarship to play for them and I excepted.
So I know that by asking for personal revelation about your problems, our
Heavenly Father will help us through our troubles.
The Light of Christ or conscience is another thing that our Heavenly Father has
given to us in order to help us know right from the wrong and help guide us. In
Moroni 7:14-17 or 18 it says… in this it tells us that every person on earth is
given the gift of the light of Christ. Our Father in Heaven gave everyone this gift
so that we can find truth in our lives so that we can find this church and follow
our Heavenly Father’s teachings. The Bible Dictionary tells us that”the light of
Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge and an uplifting
ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus
Christ.” Because everyone has this gift it means that no matter what you do we
will always have this gift with us. President Joseph F. Smith says that this Spirit
of Christ “strives with … men, and will continue to strive with them [if they will
resist the enticings of Satan], until it brings them to a knowledge of the truth and
the possession of the greater light and testimony of the Holy Ghost.” The light of
Christ is an introduction to and prepares us to receive the Holy Ghost. In the bible
dictionary it tells us again that the light of Christ will lead the honest soul who
hearkeneth to the voice’ to find the true gospel and the true church and thereby
receive the Holy Ghost.
The last thing that our Heavenly Father has given us is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is the most important thing we need to recognize and understand the Spirit.
The Holy Ghost is the third part of the Godhead after our Father in Heaven and
Jesus Christ. He is also known as the Comforter who the Lord promised the
Apostles would teach his followers all things. President James E. Faust said, “The
gift of the Holy Ghost comes after one repents and becomes worthy… the Holy
Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God
the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority
can separate him from that knowledge.” The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth. In
Moroni 10:5-6 it says that.
In article written by Jay E. Jensen he says. “The Holy Ghost manifests itself in
many ways. If we are attentive, we will recognize its promptings.” Some of
the ways the Holy Ghost does manifest Himself is by a burning in the bosom,
a quaking frame, a still small voice, by a stupor of thought, by leading, by
constraining us not to do or say something and by testifying to us in our minds
and in our hearts. In D&C 8:2 it says. Of all of these things this is the one that I like
the most. I think the reason for that is because I think I feel this one the most. Like
when I was receiving my patriarchal blessing, I believe the Holy Ghost told me in
my mind and in my heart that the blessing that I was receiving was and still is a
truth that my Heavenly Father has given me.
Everyone is given, by the Holy Ghost, gifts of the spirit. In D&C chapter 46:11 it
says. And from there to verse 33 it lists out many of the gifts of the spirit. to name
a few there’s the gift of wisdom, discernment, knowledge, tongues, the faith to
heal, the faith to be healed, the working of miracles and to prophesy. I find that in
my life I think I have the gift of discernment. I think use this most when I choose
to be friends with people.
I testify to all of you that this is the true church, that Joseph Smith was a true
prophet that he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and the President Thomas
S. Monson is a true prophet and that they both lead our church by revelation
from the Holy Ghost and direction from Jesus Christ himself. And that we by
recognizing and understanding the spirit will help and guide us through all of our
specific troubles and trials. And I am so grateful that I am able to serve the Lord
in Kenya and teach those people the truthfulness of the gospel and I know that I
will be able to teach them these things that they came be the best that they can
be. And I know that if we strive to obtain personal revelation, listen to the light of
Christ and follow the Holy Ghost in our lives Our Heavenly Father will lead us to
truth and light.
And before I end I would like to thank my mom, uncle Kurtis and Russ, my
grandpa all my aunts for being amazing examples to me and for always being
there. I would also like to thank Bishop Dixon, Brother Roger Bulloch, Greg King,
bishop Clawson, Josh Waldren, Kipp Facer,
And all of those who I didn’t name but I was also grateful for I thank all of you
so much and I was so happy to get to know all of you. And I’m not going to say
goodbye but just say I will see you all very soon. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
There is no doubt in my mind this young man is ready to serve the Lord.
After church, we went to Kurtis and Tina's home for dinner. As usual, they did a fabulous job. It was fun to visit with family.
The toughest part of the day was saying goodbye to Reese. I didn't think it would be so hard. He just hugged me and cried on my shoulder for such a long time. It was really difficult for me and I felt like I was saying goodbye to my very own son. He kinda was mine for a whole year. I will miss him dearly, but there is no where else I would rather him be.
2 comments:
I know Reese will be a great missionary, how can he miss with that smile of his?? I know you all will miss him too but he'll have some wonderful stories to share when he returns.
Kori! You are such an awesome auntie and I am so grateful for all that you have done for Maurice and our family as well! We love you!
Post a Comment