Missionary Farewell talk

 

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters

I've always loved listening to Farwell talks and seeing future missionaries prepare to leave and hear where they're serving but it's definitely not the same when you're the one giving the Farwell;)

(Like Bishop said I have been called to serve in the Montreal, Canada Mission speaking French and I could not be more nervous or excited to become a full-time missionary.

Serving a mission has been one of my dreams for a long time and even now it still does not feel real that I'm about to embark on this new journey.

Throughout my Senior year of high school and especially in these last couple months since graduating I've had a lot of time to dedicate to my personal scripture study. I've learned so much studying Doctrine and Covenants this past year through 'Come Follow Me' and I have gained such a strong love and testimony for our prophet Joseph Smith. He is an amazing example to me of putting full confidence in all God's promises and acting on direction we receive from our Heavenly Father.

President Henry B. Eyring perfectly explains how we can do this in his most recent conference talk titled, "Proved and Strengthened in Christ". He talks about an experience where he was struggling in school and felt discouraged when his efforts didn't lead to immediate success. Feeling defeated he offered a simple prayer and received a powerful answer. Before praying he said, "My discouragement led me to feel that my efforts were almost fruitless. I began to think of quitting, of doing something easier. I felt weak. As I prayed, felt the quiet assurance of the Lord. I felt Him say to my mind, "l am proving you, but l am also with you." Who else could we possibly want with us in this life as we go through difficult times that stretch us beyond our own strength?!

President Eyring reflects, "I learned that my struggle...was actually a gift from the Lord. He was teaching me that with His help, I could to things that seemed impossible if I had the faith that He would be there to help me. Through this gift, the Lord was working to prove and strengthen me." What a beautiful understanding President Eyring had that probably forever changed how he saw his struggles.

We often compare our Earthly life to a test, one where we need to prove ourselves and do all that we can do to return to live with our Father in Heaven. In my mind the words proving and testing leave me feeling nervous and pressured. It implies studying, preparing, and learning. It means one chance to show if we truly understand everything we've been taught.

It feels overwhelming and sometimes we fall short.

But that is not how the gospel works, and more importantly, that is not how our Heavenly Father works! Because of the Savior's Atonement we can have second and third chances.

But we must put in the work because the Lord loves effort and knows of our potential to live close to Him. By putting our trust in Him, as Joseph Smith did, we can become refined and strengthened in Christ. President Eyring continues by saying, "The word prove has several meanings. To prove something is not simply to test it. It is to increase its strength." I love this because it teaches us that through our hardest trials our Heavenly Father is refining us and preparing us to not only overcome them but learn and grow from them!

Throughout President Eyring's talk he gives examples of proving and strengthening, one example being Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail. He says, "In the depths of his anguish, the Prophet...cried out: 'O God, where art thou?... How long shall thy hand be stayed?' The Lord...replied: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversities shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high..." Later in the 122nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord adds, "...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."

One of the greatest lessons we can learn while in the middle of our challenges is where and who to turn to. The Savior's arms are continually outstretched, and He is waiting for us to run to Him for peace, comfort, and joy. Our Heavenly Father's plan is perfect, and every obstacle and roadblock has a purpose in our lives and will help us draw closer to our Savior and become more like Him. Even when we feel alone during our hardest moments, we never truly are because Jesus Christ knows exactly how we feel. He too was refined and strengthened through one of His hardest moments in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In Alma chapter 7 verses 11-13 it says, "11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind... 12... and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

The greatest example of being proved and strengthened is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

President Eyring puts it simply but beautifully when says, "He proved faithful in every moment." The Atonement makes it possible for us to make mistakes, or like Present Eyring, feel discouraged when we fail. The Savior bled from every pore to understand every feeling we face so that we would go to Him for a strength that can't be found anywhere else. He is not unaware of the challenges in our lives; in fact, He knows us so personally and perfectly that He knows we can overcome them, if we just choose to trust Him.

A couple years ago the youth theme scripture was Philippians 4:13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I love this scripture and have turned to it many times after realizing, repeatedly, that I cannot do it alone. Jesus Christ is the only way!

I know the Lord is shaping and refining me through all my trials and challenges. Through Him I know I can do what feels impossible- like go to Canada, live in freezing place, leave my family, and learn a language.

I truly have felt the power of the Atonement and being proved and strengthened time and time again in my life as I strive to become the best version of myself and trust that all the hard moments will be for my good.

While preparing this talk, I had the opportunity to reflect and look back on experiences where Heavenly Father was refining me. One ongoing experience that stood out to me was my time in the temple. I had the opportunity to serve as a temple worker for the past 6 months and it has blessed me in countless ways and the experiences I have had there, and hope to continue to have, will be with me throughout my whole life. I love the temple and the more time I spend there the closer I want to be to my Savior and Heavenly Father. The covenants and promises I have made in the temple have changed my life and I can say without a doubt that I have been proved and strengthened through my time there.

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to speak at the temple and priesthood meeting for the primary kids that will move into YM and YW's in the new year. I was asked to speak about my experiences in the temple and how important this next step will be for these upcoming youth. was able to share how the temple has become a place where I feel at home. No matter where the temple is in the world, I know that I can feel an overwhelming sense of peace every time I enter.

The temple has blessed me even when I'm not there. I was lucky to serve in the temple for a long time and because of that the words and phrases said in the temple have become engraved in my mind throughout the week. Not only in my scripture study or at church but in everything I do. I am constantly reminded of the promises and covenants I have made in the temple in the smallest parts of my everyday life, and I will be forever grateful for these past 6 months that l've had to grow my love for the temple.

While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus Christ, while being perfect, still asked a question. In Matthew chapter 26 verse 39 we read: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."

From

Even though Christ voiced the question He also humbly accepted God's will. President Eyring says, "..The Savior even took on doubt and uncertainty, but He had faith in His Heavenly Father."

Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel, and it is essential in the proving and refining process. We can develop a lasting faith if we let God prevail and allow Him to magnify our efforts.

Sister Gomez, a stake young women's camp director, shares a simple but powerful story about having faith like a mustard seed and how through that she was refined. She talks about an experience the girls were able to have in a small river near the camp. Sister Gomez says, "As part of that activity, we led the young women through some challenging obstacles down to the river. When they finally reached their goal, they enjoyed wading in the water. The young women were very happy and having fun. However, I noticed one of the girls who was looking at the water with great interest, as if she was trying to find something.

I decided to ask what had drawn her attention.

The young women informed Sister Gomez that she was looking for a silver earing that had fallen into the water. "[Sister Gomez] reminded her that there were rules at camp that if followed would help avoid situations like this. The young women acknowledged her mistake but then emotionally said, "Those earrings are precious because my grandmother gave them to me."

Sister Gomez continues by saying, "After watching her search for those earrings doubt filled my thoughts. How was it even possible to help her find anything in this rocky river bottom and constantly flowing waters? Then I felt impressed that we should say a prayer together and l asked, "Do you have faith that Jesus Christ could help us?

She responded with a firm, "Yes."

I let her know that I also felt that He would help us.

After our prayer, we looked in the river. It was still difficult but at one point it seemed like the movement of the water stopped and I saw something shiny. I bent down, put my hands in the water, and stirred the rocky soil and there was the young woman's earring. I presented it to her, and our embrace was filled with happiness and gratitude for this miracle from our Heavenly Father, because of our faith."

This sweet experience Sister Gomez shared is like many stories where at first, we try to do it on our own and we forget that we have access to a higher and holier power that wants so badly to help us. Through His help can we become proved and strengthened in Christ.

President Eyring ends his talk with his powerful witness saying, "...these moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you. Rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you. He is making you strong enough to carry the weight of eternal life. If we remain faithful in our service, the Lord will refine us. He will strengthen us. And one day we will look back and see that those very trials were evidence of His love. We will see that He was shaping us to be able to stand with Him in glory."

I bear my testimony that I know Heavenly Father is always aware of us individually, no matter the high or low we are facing. I know my mission will stretch me in ways I haven't experienced yet but I have faith that He will be with me every step of the way. know He is shaping and strengthening me through every aspect of my life, and I believe that serving a mission will be a choice I never regret because of how much closer I will come to know my Savior and Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for everything He has given me and am grateful He is trusting me with the people in Canada, I can't wait to serve and love them! know this gospel is true, it is my source of joy, and I feel very blessed to be able to share it.

these next 18 months.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.