Farewell Talk

We got up early Sunday morning so we could get to church in plenty of time and save a few benches in the front.  Jonah had been working hard on his talk all week.  He was a little nervous, but he didn't show it. He is a natural public speaker.

I sent the link for people to watch to our Hawkins group text.  Ron texted this picture and they all said what a great job Jonah did.  It was so nice to have their support because it was so hard not having my mom there!  Jonah gave an amazing talk, it was powerful and full of doctrine. I was so impressed with his talk and it helped me realize just how ready his is.

 Here is his talk:

"Bonjour brothers and sisters! That is French for that's the only French word I know so far.  For those of you who don't know, and are wondering where my fluent French will be assisting me, I've been called to labor in the France Paris Mission. I fly out to England tomorrow morning.  If any of you have any suggestions on how to get thorough the long flights as a missionary, I'm all ears. I'm so excited to see my district. They seem so cool and full of light. I am so beyond excited to embrace every aspect of the incredible country of France, and I'll be sure to eat every pastry I possibly can while I'm thinking of you guys.   Oh and who would I be if I didn't wish all of the fathers out there a happy Father's Day.  Special thank you to the dads who helped set up the giant canopy for my farewell lunch.  I don't know about your guy's dads, but my dad is the king of dad jokes. In fact, I think he's one of the main reasons I felt prepared to serve a mission....because if I can survive his humor I think I can survive anything the mission throws at me.  (He was very excited to use that joke)

No but seriously, thank you all so much for being here and showing up today. I have been handed endless love and support from all of you.  This really is a ward family. And shoutout to visitors who have come to send me off, I couldn't have done it without you guys.  You guys are all family and such a blessing to me. I was given the topic of repentance, which is the best topic out there to go along with my experiences.  I was officially set apart as a missionary a week ago today, and began Home MTC training this last Monday.  It has been an adjustment for sure, but it's crazy how quickly I was able to grow my testimony in every aspect.  I can testify that wearing this tag has provided me with stronger spiritual power, and helped me to understand my divine potential. I am so excited to share my experiences of that with you all.

Going back to the topic of Father's day real quick, I want to highlight our loving and merciful Father in Heaven.  Like our fathers, He is eager for us to improve and come to Him with our problems. We can go to him with anything, big or small.  I am so grateful for his plan for us, and the Savior that He has blessed us with.  

Repentance can pose many doubts and questions.  We may often ask ourselves:

Are my sins worthy of Christ's atonement?

Have I done enough repenting to feel complete peace?

Is my small sin even worth giving to and worth mentioning to Heavenly Father?

I know that my progression towards better understanding repentance has not been a straight and smooth path to say the least.  I am so grateful for the lessons I've been taught, and the testimonies that I've been able to lean on to gain personal revelation.  I pray that my words will invite the spirit here today, and help us gain a deeper understanding of the gift of repentance. 

I have prepared four truths that will hopefully be able to cover the aspects of repentance, and highlight the importance of it. 

My first truth is: Committing to your why will strengthen you and help you discover your divine potential.  Why do you want to repent? Why do you want to grow your relationship with your Savior? Or maybe your question is as simple as, why is it worth it?

The doctrinal mastery scripture Moses 1:39, helps us understand this very well. It reads, "For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

Brothers and sisters: God's entire why, work and glory is US! When we understand that and align our purposes with His, we will begin to understand our potential. Trying to discover a deeper understanding of my purpose has been on my mind this last week.  As a missionary I have been focused on remembering my purpose, and getting closer with the Spirit so that I can better recognize it. When you actively try to commit to your why, and your purpose in following Jesus Christ, you are utilizing your divine strength and potential. This commitment can give you guidance and direction when life becomes a storm.  It will also bless you with power during those times to overcome the storm.  As you stay true to your why and keep it close with our Heavenly Father's, you'll begin to see yourself start to recognize that you ARE a child of God with divine potential. This has helped me to know that committing to my why doesn't just keep me going everyday, but it reminds me of the true disciple that I am becoming. The process is not always easy and simple, but the climb is well worth it.  If you start with committing to something as small as attending a church meeting like you all are today, or read one verse out of the scriptures, you are already in the repentance process. Commitment is the best way to demonstrate our desires and dedication to our loving Heavenly Father.  Our efforts will be recognized and rewarded. I promise that God loves and sees your efforts.  I have been able to use my amazing family to grow a testimony of commitment, and pushing each other to do hard things.  My mom is the best example of the hardest worker you will meet.  I love you forever mom. (He looked at me and I was crying and he said, "don't look at me like that mom).  My amazing dad who has shown me how to trust the Lord and persevere.  My sisters as well, who show what it means to care, and my brother.  I look up to YOU bro, I hope you know that. 

My second truth is: Utilizing our weekly opportunity to take the sacrament will lighten our burdens exponentially. 

Although the sacrament is repeated and a routine, it is not repetitive. It is a wonderful reset offered to us.  When we come to that table of the Lord each week with real intent, we don't just remember Him, we are receiving His strength.  Mathew 11;28 and 30 makes a very meaningful and powerful promise and reflects the true purpose of the Savior.  It reads, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Each time we take the sacrament, we offer ourselves to Christ and he fulfills this promise that He makes. We literally have the opportunity to hand over our burdens to Christ, and He offers us the feeling of stillness.  Brothers and Sisters, Christ doesn't take our burdens because it makes life easier, He takes them because He wants to carry them with us. Our lives are easier BECAUSE we offered ourselves to Him and He is willing to do that for us. This is such a blessing. I was taught in the MTC that the sacrament is a spiritual rescue line, waiting to pull us back to peace and purpose.  That lifeline will be thrown every time. Seeking cleanliness with real intent is the action of us grabbing that lifeline and holding on. I testify that my burdens are light, and my heart is full because of my opportunity to receive the blessings of the Savior ever single week. 

Truth number three comes directly from our beloved prophet, President Nelson.  It is: Repentance is most effective through daily improvement. 

Repentance isn't just for drastic changes in our lives.  it is for the still, small changes that we apply to our lives daily.  As soon as we are able to incorporate repentance as a daily habit, we are using it to it's full power and giving us strength.  Repentance is not a backup plan. It is plan A. I promise all of you that as you focus on small consistent efforts each and every day, you will notice the Savior transform you.  You will notice the Spirit to be with you.  You will see more light in yourself.  You don't have to be perfect. This just allows for you to give yourself more direction.

President Nelson said, "When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy and the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ."

Repentance is a daily choice to change.  As a missionary and also in preparation for my mission, I made the decision to commit to the Lord daily, especially through prayer.  God wants to hear about our day. I challenge you to pray to the Lord and sincerely ask if He accepts your efforts that you gave.  He will answer your prayers and bless you.  This daily choice to change doesn't happen all at once, but evolves through quiet, daily efforts to become more like Him and strive to live His gospel.  These efforts are noticeable and very important to our Heavenly Father.  He loves to see us put forth that effort.

The fourth and final truth is the most important of all.  Jesus Christ is our Advocate.

Jesus Christ is the most trustworthy companion we could ever imagine.  It is okay to lean on His teachings and example. As I said earlier, repenting is not about being perfect.  We will never be perfect. It is about being consistent in our Faith in Jesus Christ, and having the Faith that Christ will change us. He will magnify our efforts to Heavenly Father.  I've been able to realize through my life, I have been able to make the same mistakes over and over, and still have had Christ's hand extended out to me every time, looking to help me change little by little. I feel my heart change when I put in effort daily, and grow a desire to know and do better.

John chapter 15 teaches that Christ sustains us to connect with our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is the vine, and we are his branches. We are not Christ but we are his appendages.  We are His right arm. It is our ministry to grow our branches, reach out to others, and let them experience the light of Christ through us. Let them have that same meaningful experience that we have as we sincerely seek forgiveness.

Brothers and Sisters, I love Jesus Christ! However, that doesn't even slightly compare to the amount of love He has for each and every one of us. I invite you to picture Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, atoning for our sins, saying, "Father I don't know if I can do this."  Then he sees you. "Oh Elder Loosli, I love Elder Loosli, I will carry his burdens."  I know that Jesus suffered individually through each and every one of our lives.  He walked with us. Elder D. Todd Christoffereson teaches, "Always keep Jesus Christ at the center of your mission in your life.  Always give Him the praise and glory for all you're able to accomplish.  The testimony of Jesus is our message." I'd like to add to this amazing message, that the testimony of Jesus Christ is our why.  Without Him, we have no redemption."

Testimony

Invite them to think of what Jesus would say if He prayed about them specifically. Invite them to have an honest conversation with God every day.  Promise that the Spirit will be with them always, and they will understand the purpose of themselves and see the divine potential in other people.  We all have the power to be a light.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."