Notes for Kayla's Farewell Talk

Farewell Talk

Intro: Ohio Cleveland Mission, enter MTC on April 3rd, 2 other missionaries from H.S. in same mission, too many to "disperse evenly across the globe" with new age change.

Moroni 7:47 (Charity is the pure love of Christ.)

How do we gain charity? Is there somewhere that tells you exactly how? No, but there is a way:

            By following the greatest example of it: Jesus Christ.

EXAMPLES:

Matthew 9:2-7—Blessed him with health and forgave his sins.

            While it’s good to help others, we also need to forgive those that trespass against us.

How many times have we thought we’re showing charity by being kind to someone we’re holding a grudge against?

Mark 6:33-34—Took time to teach them, even in His sorrow.

            We need to give of our time and our talents to help others, even when it isn’t easy.

Gpa as Relief Society Pres in Columbia. (Introducing church in new area, comp branch pres, mission pres made him do it, he knew more about RS than any of the women)

Luke 5:12-13—Healed one who was unclean and avoided by everyone else.

            Sometimes those who seem “unclean” are those most in need of our help and love.

The sons of Mosiah served/ taught the Lamanites, showing charity and getting results (connects to missionary work!)

Christ did more than we ever can: He atoned for our sins and gave His life so we might live again. While that’s beyond our ability, we can do our best to love our fellow man with all we have.

Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope. –Deiter F. Uchtdorf

Unlike Christ, we are not perfect. We won’t always feel charity toward others, or drop everything to go serve. But we keep striving for that perfect love, and He helps us do that by giving us chances to serve.

Henry B. Eyring said:

 Whenever you have cared for someone for even a short time, you have felt love for the person you served. As the time to provide needed care grew longer, the feelings of love increased.

Since we are mortal, that increase in love may be interrupted by feelings of frustration and fatigue. That is another reason why the Lord lets us have the help of others in our service to those in need. That is why the Lord has created societies of caregivers…

One evidence of His appreciation is that God allows you to feel increasing love for those you serve. That is a reason why you weep at the death of someone you have served for a long time. Losing the chance to care for them can feel like an even greater loss than does the temporary separation. I heard a woman—whom I have known a long time—recently, the week her husband died, bear a testimony of gratitude for the chance to serve him to the very end of his life. No tears were visible, but her happy smile was.

This will be applicable on my mission. You cannot teach without loving the people you are teaching. The chance to serve will help me develop charity for them, which will increase my service and improve my teaching. Love is the key to a successful mission.

Moroni 8:16 (Start with “Behold” half way through.)

A last thought for my mission: Luke 1:37. I can do it!

Testimony