My Farewell: Spiritual Meaning in All Acts of Life

Elder Widstoe said, "There is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events... It is the business of man to find the spiritual meaning of earthly things... No man is quite so happy... as he who backs all his labors by such a spiritual interpretation and understanding of the acts of his life."

I absolutely love this quote. It’s a true statement that makes life more clear that everything happens for a reason and that there is a lesson to be learned in every moment of life. All we have to do is “to dig a little deeper” (Dig A Little Deeper from Princess and the Frog) and we can find lessons within our experiences.

My college years have helped me prepare for a mission. My freshman year I learned that often we will encounter people we have trouble getting along with. My sophomore year I learned that communication is important, especially how to communicate my feelings openly with others even though it was hard. My junior year I learned the importance of friendship and the strength that friends can have if you both try to make it work. These years have been very important in strengthening my character. Even though I experienced hard things through each of those years, I wouldn’t trade them for anything: not an easy life, not … anything. Those years have been fundamental in building and strengthening my character, not only for life, but also for my year and half mission.

During those years, I have pondered whether or not I would serve a mission. My freshman year, I really wanted to be a boy. I think they are way lucky. One year of college, mission, come back, then decide on a major. Lucky. That’s what I think. Instead, I had to just dream about it. And wait and see since I didn’t “have to” go on a mission. Freshman year passed, with hopes of one day me turning 21 and being able to go on a mission. Sophomore passed with my forgotten dream until one day my mom reminded me. That weekend I decided that I needed to decide. I prayed about it. My mind was in a fog. Secretly deep inside I was scared. I was kind of upset that my mom had reminded me. But I thought about it anyway because after all, she is my mom and I respected her. I thought that because my mind was in the fog, maybe that meant that I shouldn’t go on a mission. For a while, that answer was fine with. I had already signed up for a mission prep class for the coming fall. I decided I would still take the class. I figured it couldn’t hurt and would probably be beneficial in other ways. I had people who knew I was in that class ask me if I was going to serve a mission. Usually I said no, but every time I said that, I felt guilty. I started questioning my original answer. Did I really feel like I shouldn’t go?

February rolled around. It was the day before Valentine’s Day. All I remember that evening before was getting frustrated at impatient roommates who then made other roommates grumpy, which made me grumpy. Haha, yeah, I know not the greatest start. But I don’t like getting grumpy, but others feelings always seem to impact me. Anyways, I was grumpy and tired. Tired of life. Just plain tired. For I had been thinking that I wanted a change in my life. I didn’t know what kind of change, but then it came to me. I wanted to serve a mission for the Lord. I prayed about it that night. The next morning I had made my decision. I was going to serve a mission. Then and there I seriously started to prepare and I was beyond excited. For about the next month, I was continually smiling. Every time I thought about it, my smile got bigger. Now, I know I am doing the right thing and I’m not questioning it.

I know that the mission will be hard. I know that. I don’t expect any less because life is hard. That’s just the way it is. Like we’ve heard before, “I never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it.” Life is suppose to be a learning experience from the challenges we are given to face. Alma 34: 32 reads, “For behold, this life is the time for meant to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” This life time is our time to prepare. There is more reason to this life then just meandering through it. There is so much to learn from our daily lives and our trials. For the things we learn help create and strengthen our character, which will help us prepare to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Further on in Alma 34, verse 41 reads, “But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.” Patience is a key to our trials. If we have it, we can be a happier people. Elder Groberg said, “Much of my subsequent happiness and joy can be traced back to some of those so-called “unwanted” experiences. We don’t need to seek these experiences. They find us more often than we may desire. All we have to do is try with all our might to live the way we should… and leave the rest to the Lord…. [All you have to do is] take charge of your life now and move in a positive direction.” Don’t ask me why, but I am excited for those “unwanted” experiences that will come. I think it’s because I am excited to see myself overcome and see what I will learn from them. I know in the moment I won’t like it, but in the end you can find deep meaning through the experience.

When I found the quote by Elder Widstoe (that I said at the very beginning of my talk), I was experiencing something very hard. The experience brought on a deep sorrow in my heart, yet I knew it shouldn’t over take me. When I read the words, “There is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events,” I knew that there was something to be learned from that great trial. As I thought about it, I realized that I was really blessed to have that trial because through the love and support of my roommates, I was able to grow closer to them. I was able to overcome the sorrow that had come in my life and still learned many other things that I was able to incorporate into my life. Even though things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them too, I learned some very valuable lessons from the experience. There are still times when I wish the experience hadn’t happened, but when I think about the good things I learned from it, I am truly grateful that it happened. Life in itself is truly a very valuable lesson.

So, instead of saying, “There’s no hope,” there is hope for a happier life. We just have to look for it. The 13^th Article of Faith says, “We hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.” We can make it through. We just have to believe in it, believe in God. He will not ever leave us alone. A favorite poem of mine that illustrates that He will always be there is Mary Stevenson’s Footprints in the Sand. “One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been on set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” He will not leave us alone. He will always be there for us. Through the good and the bad. My favorite scripture of all times is Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” All we have to do is believe in His love and power. He will be there for us. All we have to do is to make Him our anchor. Ether 12:4 reads, “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” Through God, we can withstand anything. We can do anything.

With all of this knowledge, I am ready to serve my mission. I ready to see what will be brought my way. Elder Groberg said, “In its simplest terms, a mission is living with purpose – whether for good or bad.” This can be applied even to our daily lives. Our life is a mission. We have more purpose here on this Earth than we sometimes realize. Heavenly Father sent us down here to learn how become more like him. And we can’t learn to be more like him unless we are faced with opposition. Doctrine and Covenants 136:31 reads, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.” Things will work out. We just have to look for the good and look ahead with a smile on our faces.

Just like Ammon and his brethren when they served the Lamanites. Even though they experienced hard things, they stayed faithful and were rewarded with great success and knowledge. Alma 17:11 reads, “yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.” I’m excited! I get to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. As long as I can be patient with the trials I am given, I will be able to accomplish a great work.

I am excited for my mission. I know that it is right. I am excited for the things it will teach me. Some of you may heard of my unique circumstances concerning my “mission call.” I actually received two of them. The first time I was called to the Oklahoma City Mission. I was actually really shocked when I first read those words and then I went into excessive laughter. I really thought it was hilarious because I had set myself to except something like Japan, where I would have to eat seafood, which I absolutely detest. It was really funny. But truly, in all seriousness, there was a reason for it. Currently, I do not know the reason why. I might not for many years. But there was a reason. Like God said in the Doctrine and Covenants many times, “it is wisdom in me.” He knows why. There was a reason to that. Finally a week later, I got my second call. I am going to serve in the California Roseville Mission. I am excited to go there. And for the things I will be learning the next year and a half.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 reads, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you. up." The Lord is on my side. He will not leave me alone. With His help, I can withstand anything. I will be able to complete my year and a half mission. I am grateful for this chance that I have.

I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Savior came to this Earth to redeem us from our sins. Heavenly Father does love us and want us to be happy. I am grateful for Joseph Smith and that as a 14 year old boy, he prayed to Heavenly Father to ask which of all the churches were true. I am grateful for him for his patience to endure all the many trials he went through to bring about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that he was martyred for this great and marvelous cause. I am grateful for our modern day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the apostles and for the words they share with us. I am also grateful for my family, the things they have taught me. I know this is the true gospel. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

*Basically what I said in my farewell talk.

Pictures of me and my call!