Andi's Farewell Talk/Outline



·      Introduce yourself

o   You and family

o   Mission Details

As I have reflected on what I wanted to say today, I couldn’t help but think of the many things that in my own life have helped prepare to get where I am today.

1.     Young Women’s Theme

a.     WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

2.     Boy Scouts Motto “Be Prepared”

3.     Family Home Evening

4.     Regularly Attending Church

5.     Prayer

6.     Scripture Study

7.     Attending the Temple as a Youth

8.     Examples of Friends and Family

9.     Most Importantly the Atonement

All of these things have helped me get on track to be able to stand up here today before my lovely ward family. I have learned through studying this topic that preparation really does bring peace. In this earthly life we are here to be tested and tried. Here is where we prepare to meet God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  We are preparing for the Second Coming.

Elder Oaks said that “While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know it’s exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us. “  After I read that the parable of the ten virgins came to mind, so I went to the 25 chapter of Matthew. As I read, I read it a little differently. This is a way that my dad had put it for us to understand how it would be in our day.  I will be likening the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints unto the 10 virgins which took their lives works and went forth to meet the Savior.

·      50% of the church was wise and 50% were foolish.

·      They that were foolish took their lives works and took no oil with them. Their oil being Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching, Church Attendance, Service in His Church, Tithing and Fast Offerings, Bearing your Testimony and so much more.

·      But the wise took their Church Service, Tithing, Visiting Teaching & Church Attendance in their vessel with their lives works.

·      While the Savior tarried they all slumbered and slept

·      At Midnight there was a cry made, “Behold the Savior Cometh Go Ye Out To Meet Him”

·      Then All the Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints rose and brought there lives works.

·      The foolish said unto the wise, give us of your testimonies; your services in the church, your sacrament attendance, your tithes and offerings for our lives works are incomplete.

·      The wise answered saying we would love to help you. But how can I give you my blessings of tithing, How can I give you my experience in service in church callings, How can I give you my experiences in Home teaching and visiting teaching? Lest there be not enough for me, but Go Ye rather to serve and Pay your tithing and gain those experiences you need for yourselves.

·      While they went to earn their experiences, the Savior came and they that were ready went in with him to be Him and the door was shut.

·      Afterword came also the other 50% of the church say “ Lord, Lord open to us”

·      The Savior answered, “how knoweth a man the master, whom he has not served and whom is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and interests of his heart?” You never knew me, and “I know you not” (Matt. 25:23) (Mosiah 5:13)

There have been many teachings and warnings for us to prepare for that Great day of the Second Coming of our Savior in the Scriptures.

In Alma chapter 34 verse 32 it says “ For Behold this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” Are we preparing?

In Doctrine Covenants chapter 1 verse 12 the Lord declares “Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh”

He warns us also in section 34 and 133 of the Doctrine Covenants “Yea, let the cry go forth among all people awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord”

Elder Oaks says, “ What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgiveness would we extend? What testimonies would we ear? If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained? If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them.”

I too have been at a point in my life where my lamp was drawn out, with not but a drop of oil in my lamp. I pushed against everything I used to stand for; I had begun to dislike my family for caring and trying to help me come unto Christ. When they pleaded for one thing, I’d turn to the polar opposite of what they wanted regardless of what I knew deep in my heart what to be true. My lamp was truly drawn out, my light was gone, and I truly was foolish. One day I stumbled upon my Personal Progress book and opened it and flipped the project I had completed in the value Knowledge.  At the end of each ten-hour project we write and evaluation of the project we did. My evaluation took place in October of 2006 where I wrote, “I learned it’s not as easy as it looks. I thought I would die it took so long. At times I felt discouraged but I kept going. My dad will finish the harder stuff.” As I read that line in my head, I heard in my heart and mind “It’s not as easy as it looks, the road is long, and at times you will feel discouraged, but Heavenly Father will finish the harder stuff.”  Because my parents helped prepare me as a young woman with the personal progress program I was able to come back to this years later when I was struggling. That simple line that 12 year old me wrote is one many of the reasons of why I am here today standing at this pulpit still preparing and ready to serve the Lord worthily with my whole heart and soul for 18 months as a Missionary of  (Az Ut-lo-sho Na-poke Sent-kayne-eky Jyeezuez Krish-too-ose Egg-has-oh) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I still need oil in my lamp, I still on occasion need to trim my lamp, but I make sure that I keep my light of the Savior burning at all times and in all things and in all places. I strive for that even though as an imperfect being I stumble, and need to tend to my lamp and oil.

I know as we prepare ourselves today to become more like the Savior we will have more peace. I know as we prepare our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, and friends we as a whole will find peace in our Savior. I cannot wait for the day with the Lord stretches his arms for a warm embraces and says “Well done”.

Remember brothers and sisters the Savior tells us “be faithful, praying always having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bride Groom—For behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that I com quickly.

TESTIMONY

·      Atonement

·      Prayer

·      Mission Call

·      Family

·      Temple

·      Scriptures