Farewell took place on Sunday February 17th
The plan of salvation has been in place
before even time itself. According to the plan we were to come to earth, gain a
body, prove ourselves and return to him when God deems it appropriate. It is a lesson that as members we have heard
and taught what seems to be a million times over. At times the topic can seem
overwhelming in how many areas of our life it can touch on. Whether, we are
rejoicing in the birth of a child or mourning the loss of a loved one or taking
the sacrament, the plan is present. It is never improvised. Yes the details are
important but that is why God took care of them for us. And it was not until I
saw through the eyes of small children, specifically the sunbeams I have taken
care of this past month, how simple it can be. In class when attempting to
explain to the 3-4 year olds that we all have spirits and that Heavenly Father
is the father of our spirits, little Grant Craighead picks up his shirt, shows
the class his belly button, looks up with a confused look on his face and says
“I can’t see my spirit”. Sister Layton and I looked at each other and smiled as
the rest of the kids looked for their own spirits. No, we cannot see our
spirits, but that is because each one of us had the desire to become like our
Heavenly Father. He shared this desire but it would not have been possible
without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body. This is his
work and his glory as it is explained in Moses 1:39.
As we
entered this world the veil of forgetfulness was placed over our head. Although
we have no previous memories of our past life, God has not rendered us
helpless. There is evidence of his love and aid everywhere we look. In every
obstacle that we may come across he provided way to overcome them. We must not
underestimate our talents and abilities to do so, especially when in reference
to missionary work. Every member and every area of this church must feel that
their efforts in this work are of great value. In D&C 18:15 it says “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.” Now the kingdom of God is built one person at
a time, one covenant at a time. Brick by brick this work is progressing with
the cornerstone of the foundation being Christ our savior and redeemer. We are
to help it along and lend our knowledge and example to those sheep still lost.
Many still believe that by grace we are saved, but it is through the covenants
and ordinances made at the temple that we are guaranteed salvation. That is the
key idea in any discussion with investigators and missionaries all over the
world. The very word salvation means to be saved from physical and spiritual
death. An individual can be saved by grace through faith in Christ, but this
faith must be made manifest in a life of obedience to the laws and ordinances
of the gospel AND…listen for this last part…through the service of Christ. It
is needed of us to assist others in coming unto him, and linking themselves to
him for an eternity to come. Our mission is to know him and to make him known.
Missionary work is a product of love. Its main purpose is to
give all willing bodies, a chance to hear and accept this great gospel. As
President Monson explained, “We must not always wait for a special occasion,
life is a special occasion.” Close quote. The opportunity to teach is ours to
grasp for it affects all of us. It was once said, “The call of missions is to
love Jesus in such a way that you don’t need a specific event or place to
witness but that from a heart desiring to see humanity saved, we live every
single moment committed to being witnesses of the gospel and its transforming
power”. We take this same oath when with our heads bowed we agree to the
sacrament prayers with the solemn word of amen. Young Women recite this same
oath while saying the theme every Sunday. And I firmly believe that before we
came to this world, we gave a promise of a similar kind. Growing up, if you
asked my very dear friend Sister Shannah Thorne what she wanted to be when
older she would either reply a princess, or a missionary. I admit I was never
one to have that lifetime desire. I always told myself that at 21, if nothing
was happening for me only then would I serve, a lot can happen waiting to grow,
and I believe my foot or two was achieved long ago. But with the age change,
after the initial shock of being able to serve at 19 something inside of me
changed. I believe it was partially my perspective in what was truly important.
I knew that somewhere someone is looking for exactly what I have to offer. It
may not be my great sense of humor, a voice well accustomed to choirs, or my
passion for theatre but the Lord has blessed me with something I hold much dearer.
The Lord has determined that I take this thing to the somewhere known as
Knoxville Tennessee. And my desire to share it is stronger than ever. He has
given me a testimony that no amount of trial or doubt, no devil, nay sayer or
hater, or distance away from those I love can cause it to crumble. While trying
to determine whether I was worthy to submit my papers, I had a good long talk
with President Spackman. And before asking me all the required questions you
would have in an interview with such an authority he made a comment that struck
me. He said something along the lines of “Now Jordann, ya know you are not
going to be able to call your mom or dad every day. Your contact will be
limited to letters. You will get to see your siblings or friends on a daily basis.
How will you handle this?” I sat there for a minute as tears welled up in my
eyes and as my favorite seminary teacher handed me a tissue I sat up straight
and replied. “I know that times will be hard, and that I will miss them all so
much but it is because of those I love that I have will to do this. I could
teach somewhere in a cul-de-sac with over 50 kids. I could teach a single
mother and her kids, a couple which lost a child, an elderly man on the verge
of death. I could give hope to high school students that go through their day
feeling alone, when there could be an angel walking beside them. Maybe a girl
that is in love with Barbie but there is someone on high that thinks she is
more beautiful because she was created in his image. Or, if I am lucky a family
where the parents work day in and day out to ensure that their kids are fed,
clothed and go on to live a good life. In short, everyone in the world means
something to someone, and I cannot bear the thought of people out there who are
loved just as much as I love everyone in my life going one more day without
knowing that there is a God, and he loves us. There is a scripture in Mosiah
28:3 that explain these exact feelings. “Now there were desirous that salvation
should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that nay human
soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure
endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.” So here I am, quaking and
trembling. Ready to fight ready to stand ready to serve. I know with all my
heart that this gospel is true. I know with all my being that my Redeemer
lives. That Joseph Smith aided Heavenly Father in restoring this gospel, and
that Thomas S. Monson stands to defend it along with a couple thousand other
witnesses.
