Obedience (My Missionary Farewell Talk)

January 21st, 2008

Many of you have requested a copy of the talk I gave for my missionary farewell sacrament meeting.

The Following is a transcript of the talk I gave at my missionary farewell talk, given Sunday, January 20^th, 2008 in the North Logan 10^th ward sacrament meeting.

Obedience

I’d like to open with two scriptures. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Obedience. There are different attitudes and approaches to obedience, and why we choose to obey. Ultimately, we should choose to obey willingly.

Why do we obey God’s commandments? It could be because of fear of the consequence. Not manypeople, would want to willingly disobey when clearly thinking about a negative consequence before hand. In the legal world, punishment can sometimes be a powerful deterrent, keeping those with good intentions honest, thus causing them to avoid a sin and negative consequence in the first place.

Other times, we may obey our Heavenly Father due to the blessings he’s promised us, while thinking about these at the front of our mind when we decide upon a choice between actions. We may obey due to our Love for Heavenly Father, and because of our desire to serve him. It could be we obey because we have a desire to serve our brothers and sisters, and to help and assist them. Either way, they are all very good reasons to want to obey.

So if those are the reasons for being obedient, what in the world would ever cause us to want to be disobedient? Let’s look at a few common reasons. Man is not perfect and we often lose track of priorities, or forget the things that are of most importance. We may choose not to obey because we feel as though the rules or commandments are restrictive, limiting, and ultimately take the free away from free agency, or the right to choose. This however is an irony, as the commandments are put in place to protect us. Let’s take this scripture for instance.

John 8:31-32 “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (True to the faith, page 108 paragraph four) With this scripture we can see that choosing the right, and knowing the doctrines can and will protect us and ensure we keep our free agency.

In the case of substance abuse, powerful addictions are developed, and soon, our free agency we have justified in order to have the right to choose to do these things, is lost, as we are no longer free to choose on these things any more. We become addicted, and can no longer control our desires for these things. Our choice using our ‘free agency’ has now let us into a path of addiction-biased decisions. We now are the victim of a powerful bad habit that controls us.

Why else may we choose to be disobedient? It may be that we’re feeling rebellious, and want to stir up a storm, as we’re not happy with ourselves or some choices we made. This storm can grow if we let it, and ultimately, we will rebel just because we can, and not because we necessarily backup the choice we’re making. This disobedience can be blinding, and lead to a path of destruction. Whatever the reason for disobedience, it can be harmful, and deprive us of the opportunities of life to be happy, enjoy those around us, and serve everyone we come in contact with.

Our heavenly father wants us to be happy. In D&C 76 verse 5 we read “For thus saith the Lord, I the Lord am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.” From this we know that our Heavenly Father desires to bless us with all things if we will but do our part and be obedient.

What about those who want the blessing first, then will serve the lord? Unfortunately this is contrary to the reason for our existence. We were placed on this earth, to first prove ourselves to our Heavenly Father. We read in Abraham 3:24-25 “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (True to the faith, page 108 paragraph three).

As this scripture states, we are to be tried and tested throughout life. When we make wise choices that are in line with the teachings of the Gospel, we are blessed as a result. In D&C 130:20-21 we read “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated – And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

It is easier to obey when we understand the reasons and consequences, as well as the blessings. It is harder to obey when we can’t understand the reasons, consequences, or potential blessings. We can choose to obey even when we don’t understand why.

In the Gospel Principles manual, on page 224 paragraph 3, we read “By keeping God’s commandments, we prepare for eternal life and exaltation. Sometimes we do not know the reason for a particular commandment. However, we show our faith and trust in God when we obey him without knowing why. In Moses chapter 5 verse 6 we read the response of Adam, husband to eve, when asked why he offered up sacrifices to the Lord. Adam responds “I know not, save the Lord commanded me.” Later on, the angel that had visited Adam taught him the gospel, and told him of the savior who was to come. The Holy Ghost came upon Adam, and Adam prophesied concerning the inhabitants of the earth down to the last generation. This knowledge and great blessings came to Adam because he was obedient.

Sometimes it is very difficult to obey when we don’t see how it will be possible. We need to remember what Nephi said in 1^st Nephi, chapter 3, verse 7 when he was asked to retrieve the plates from the wicked Laben. “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. “ Whenever we find it difficult to obey we should always remember that response and liken it unto ourselves.

What about those commandments that are small and insignificant? They’re not worth as many points, so shouldn’t we just go for the shots that count?

Sometimes we may think a commandment is not very important. The scriptures tell of a man named Naaman who thought that way. Naaman had a dreadful disease and traveled from Syria to Israel to ask the prophet Elisha to heal him. Naaman was an important man in his own country, so he was offended when Elisha did not greet him in person but sent his servant instead. Naaman was even more offended when eh received Elisha’s message, wash seven times in the river Jordan. Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? May I not was in them, and be clean? He went away in a rage. But his servants asked him: “If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, wash, and be clean?” Naaman was wise enough to understand that it was important to obey the prophet of God, even if it seemed a small matter. So he washed in the Jordan and was healed.

Sometimes we may think a commandment is too difficult for us to obey, or too small or unimportant. Like Nephi’s brothers, we may say it is a hard thing you require of us, Yet, like nephi, we can rest assured that God will give us no commandment unless he has prepared a way for us to obey him.

We too should be willing to do anything God requires. The prophet Joseph Smith said, “I made this my rule: when the Lord commands, do it”. We should take this same rule and adopt it as our own.

Regardless of if we don’t understand the reason, we should exercise faith in the commandment given to us. Gordon B. Hinckley has said “Obedience …will open a way where there appears to be no way”.

I know that when I obey commandments, my testimony is strengthened over time. I know that by obedience I have been blessed spiritually, and protected from the world.

I’d like to read to you the story of Lorenzo’ Snow’s revelation on tithing and how obedience to this commandment blessed the saints.

“Over the years the settlements in Utah continued to progress. The telegraph was invented, making it easier for people to communicate with others in distant places. The railroad was built all across the United States, making it easier for people to travel and for the people in Utah to obtain supplies from more developed areas. The Church had problems with the United States government and with the American Indians in the Utah area, but all of these situations were eventually resolved. President John Taylor became President of the Church after Brigham Young died. He was followed by President Wilford Woodruff, who was followed by President Lorenzo Snow (show the picture of Lorenzo Snow).

When Lorenzo Snow became the fifth President of the Church, the Church was deeply in debt. It had been expensive for the Church to solve its problems with the government, and there was no longer enough money to pay for everything the Church needed. President Snow prayed earnestly to learn what he should do about this serious problem. His prayer was not answered immediately, but he did receive a feeling that he should visit St. George and other towns in southern Utah. He did not know why he should go to southern Utah, but he knew he must obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost. He and other Church leaders traveled to St. George by train and horse-drawn carriage.

At the time of President Snow’s visit, there had been no rain in southern Utah for months. As the Church leaders traveled south, President Snow noticed the dry earth and the thirsty plants and animals. Without rain the people in southern Utah did not know how they could grow crops to provide the food they needed to survive.

On 17 May 1899 President Snow spoke at a conference in St. George, Utah. During his talk, he suddenly paused. The room was still as everyone waited for him to speak. When he started talking again, his voice was strong, and the people could tell that he was speaking under the inspiration of the Lord. He said, “The word of the Lord is: The time has now come for every Latter-day Saint … to do the will of the Lord and to pay his tithing in full. That is the word of the Lord to you, and it will be the word of the Lord to every settlement throughout the land of Zion” (quoted in LeRoi C. Snow, “The Lord’s Way Out of Bondage,” p. 439).

President Snow told the Saints that the Lord was displeased with them because they had not been paying their tithing. He promised the people that if they paid their tithing, rain would fall and they would be able to plant and harvest good crops.

After his talk in St. George, President Snow wanted the whole Church to know about the revelation he had received. On his way back to Salt Lake City, he stopped in many settlements to preach the law of tithing to the people, and when he returned to Salt Lake City, he called an important meeting in the temple to talk to priesthood leaders about tithing. In one talk he said: “The poorest of the poor can pay tithing; the Lord requires it at our hands. … Everybody should pay tithing. … The law shall be observed. … And we shall pay our debts. … God bless you” (quoted in Carter E. Grant, The Kingdom of God Restored, p. 546). The Saints everywhere accepted what President Snow said and started paying tithing.

President Snow anxiously waited for the weather reports from southern Utah. One month passed, then two months, but no rain came. The people in St. George were not only paying a full tithe but were giving even more as offerings to the Lord. The prophet prayed more earnestly that the Lord would bless the people. He had promised them rain if they would pay their tithing. Finally, on 2 August 1899, he received a telegram that read, “Rain in St. George.” The Saints were blessed and were able to harvest their crops that fall.

In the year following President Snow’s revelation, the Saints contributed twice as much in tithing as they had the previous two years. Not only were the Saints in St. George blessed with rain, but within eight years the Church was able to pay all its debts. Since that day, the Church has continued to have enough money to carry out the Lord’s work because faithful Church members pay their tithing.”

I’d like to share with you a few influential things that happened to me leading up to my mission was September of 2005 and I had moved to Texas to enjoy some out of the house time. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for in Texas. I had always planned on heading on a mission but didn’t feel that the time was right, despite others persistence. I headed to Texas where I quickly create d a part time job doing web design work for the owner of the store my older sister was working at, at the time. I enjoyed working there, while trying to figure out exactly what it is that I wanted to do or head towards for a career.

While in Texas, I stayed in touch with many of my close friends. One close friend even headed out on his mission during my stay in Texas. My other close friends split between working part time, relaxing full time, and some going to school, before they turned of age for a mission. Of all my friends, I stayed in closest touch to one of my other friends, who was a year younger and had not graduated yet. This friend and I enjoyed hanging out, and talking about ideas for products and services we had, and dream of what we would like to do one day by working together. We emailed each other often, sharing suggestions, business news articles and such.

About two months into my stay at Texas, I had a dream that itched my mind. In my dream, I was on this mountainous pass, which traveled over the peaks connecting mountain to mountain. The sky and area around was a flat black scene, with nothing to be seen. The trail ahead of me was a well-traveled trail, and was a sandy white, while the edges of the trail turned into rough granite-like rock that was far from polished. The path glowing with light, that at first appeared to be coming from above. However, once I looked up, there was no source of light to be scene. It was being illuminated from above unseen sources. This illumination followed the trail which gradually ascended at a slow rate ahead of me about 100 yards, where the path took a jog to the right with a slightly steeper climb. I was traveling on this path with one of my good friends, Kabron Bingham. We both were clothed in missionary attire, suites and all. We continued up along this path, walking side by side. As we got towards the top of what we could see to be the peak, we took a right following this trail, with a short and steeper jog to the top which lasted maybe another 20 yards. The trail leveled off, and we continued onward. Within a few seconds, my good friend and I came across a liquid pit directly in front of us, 10 feet wide in each direction. The liquid was a think murky mud soup, the color of the surrounding trail, boiling slowly as the Mud pots at Yellowstone national park do. My friend was about to cross, when I looked down and saw that I was without shoes, while his shoes were tightly secured on his feet. I quickly grabbed him by the arm told him to stop as I gestured toward my feet. He asked “what we do?”I responded “we’ll pray”. We both promptly knelt down and said a prayer. I recall simply uttering these words “God, protect my feat that I may cross.” After this, we both arose, and proceeded to cross the mud pit. At this point, I awoke from my dream, and was left wondering what that meant, as I recognized immediately that such a dream was not a normal night-to-day event. It was a Saturday morning and I had slept in a bit longer than usual. My sister had just come upstairs to check to see if I was awake for I remember sitting straight up as she came to my room. I had awoken just moments before from, I looked at her and said, I need a piece of paper and a pent to write down the dream I just had.

This dream interested me for a few reasons. What was the symbolism of this dream? Was this supposed to be related to me serving a mission? What was up with me not having shoes? I have since pondered all these things from that day on. If it was symbolic of me going on a mission, then why was Kabron a part of this dream? At this time, My good friend Kabron while an excellent and honorable member of the church, had no intentions of serving a mission. And what about the feet? I immediately searched out the scriptures for uses of feet. I immediately found the scripture reference for D&C 27:15-18.

Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent my angels to commit unto you. Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen”.

My feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In this dream, I was missing my shoes. According to the scriptures, my feet were not shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and I needed to ask for help to receive this preparation. This has stuck with me since then, and I kept it in the back of my mind always. I continued my stay and work in Texas, and reengaged my efforts for regular scripture study and prayer to better prepare myself to serve a mission.

One morning while getting a haircut at a local business in Texas, I somehow got engaged with the young lady helping to cut my hair about birthdays. She had just finished telling me how her family had taken her out for her first drink once she turned twenty one. As soon as she finished her sentence, and totally unexpected, she asked if I was Mormon. This surprised me as we had not discussed anything, or I had not made any comments up till now that would even suggest or lead to this question. “Are you Jehovah’s witness or a Mormon?” she asked me. I responded by saying that I was a Mormon. I asked her “what made you ask me that? She replied “Because I can see it in your eyes”. This has always stuck with me, as when she said that to me, I remember recalling hearing in general conference through one of the talks addressed to the youth of the church that the world can see the happiness that the gospel brings into the lives of those who live it as the will ‘see it in your eyes’. I had never taken this so litter-ly until this moment. I now realized that it was not a figure of saying, but it was an actual thing. People who live righteously and follow and obey Gods commandments stand out in a world with diminishing values.

This got me excited about serving a mission, and made me start wanting to prepare for it. I shortly moved back to Logan, and initially planned on going on a mission, however this desire soon got pushed to the back, as I still wasn’t sure when I wanted to go. I found a job working at a local call center and within a few months a job in their IT Department opened up and I was working alongside with the network administrator, Ladd, assisting him with his tasks as well as overseeing the call floor computers with another great PC Tech, Royce. These guys were great examples to me, and spoke often of how much fun they had on their missions. They helped me prepare, and covered for me in work when I had to leave to go to many doctor appointments, or just run some errands to get ready for my mission. I could not have had a better job or worked with better people at such a crucial point in my life.

While back in Logan, My good friend Kabron Bingham got asked to take part in the missionary training camp held every summer at the churches campgrounds at porcupine reservoir. He was asked to be a ‘district’ leader, in charge of leading, assisting, and instilling a desire to learn and participate in the camp, those 10 or so young men who were underneath him. I remember getting a phone call from him, when he initially told me about this calling, and how he wanted to know if I thought he should do it. The year before, he and I went together to this camp, and I was a district leader at that time. Now Kabron, who wasn’t sure if he wanted to go on a mission was faced with the choice of accepting this call. Shortly after much pondering he decided to accept. As he prepared for this calling, and the camp, which preparations start almost 6 months in advance each year, I slowly saw a change in heart and attitude about serving a mission. He became excited and pumped up about serving over the next six months. By the time the camp came around, and he attended, I couldn’t believe how excited he was when it was over. “I’m definitely serving a mission” he told me. He said of how soon he wanted to put in his papers. He and I decided we would push each other to get out as soon as possible. Now, just as in my dream together, we were both working together to go out and preach the gospel. I began making preparations, and ultimately Kabron got the jump on me by a few months, but I’m heading out shortly thereafter.

I’m grateful to Kabron’s example to be. It is by his obedience that he was prepared in due time to serve a mission. Because of that, I in turn was invigorated with a desire to follow out closely behind him, and side by side, wherever we may be we will serve. Kabron was called to a Spanish speaking mission in Texas, and I received my call to a Spanish speaking mission in California.

I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to speak today. I’ve shared these personal stories with you only because it was by obedience that these things came to pass. I’m grateful for all those who have been examples to me in my life, and for everything that they’ve taught me, and helped me with.

I know it is by obedience that we are blessed. I would like to close with a scripture Mosiah 2:41. “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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