Farewell Talk given October 16th at 9:30 Am in the Palm Bay Second Ward by Sister Kayla Renee Cook
Good morning Brothers and Sisters, I'm so blessed to be able to speak with you all before I leave for my mission to Hong Kong next week, I can't believe it's so close! Normally on the third Sunday of the month we get to hear from someone in the stake high council, And because October is such a busy month with conference and primary programs, Today is the only day they could fit me in. So I feel very blessed to speak with you today along with brother Langdorf, and I ask for the spirit to be with me as I speak to you about the Book of Mormon, which is the topic the stake has felt is important for us to hear today. And I really feel like it's inspired, because I can't think of a more appropriate subject for a missionary to speak on! To begin, I'd like to read one of my favorite scriptures in 2nd Nephi:
3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
I love this scripture especially because of the verb "Feast". When I think of a feast i think of a hearty thanksgiving meal, with a little bit of everything to stuff you full ( like Turkey, stuffing, gravy, and pie). When you apply this metaphor to how you study the scriptures it should be equally as filling. You should use all your resources to create a feast for the soul that leaves you so full of the spirit that you are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation for the blessings you have been given. The scriptures are truly food for the soul.
Preach My gospel states: the Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of the divinity of Christ. It is also proof of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith. An essential part of our conversion is receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. As a missionary, you must first have a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. This testimony can lead to a deep and abiding faith in the power of the Book of Mormon during the conversion process. Have confidence that the Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads and ponders the Book of Mormon and asks God if it is true with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ.
President Ezra Taft Benson said that the Book of Mormon is the keystone in at least three ways:
Witness of Christ. “The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity.”
Fulness of doctrine. “The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the ‘fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ (D&C 20:9 [;27:5].) . . . In the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation.”
Foundation of testimony. “Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly. This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. So does our claim to priesthood keys, and revelation, and the restored Church. But in like manner, if the Book of Mormon be true—and millions have now testified that they have the witness of the Spirit that it is indeed true—then one must accept the claims of the Restoration and all that accompanies it” (A Witness and a Warning [1988], 18–19).
Perhaps my favorite general conference talk of all time is one given by Elder Holland two years ago, and it's featured in this months ensign
As my great-great-great grandfather said in the early days of the Restoration, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”1
To my first convictions have been added all of the other quickening moments and sanctifying manifestations that today give deepest meaning to my days, purpose to my life, and a solid foundation to my testimony.
Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared. I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon. I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of a civilization. But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart—given to me through the whispering of the Holy Spirit just as it is given to you—is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. I testify of this book as surely as if I had, with the Three Witnesses, seen the angel Moroni or, with the Eight Witnesses, handled the plates of gold.
I further testify that not one of us can come to full faith in this latter-day work and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in our times until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies. As Mormon said to Moroni in one of their most demanding times, so I say in our demanding times: “Be faithful in Christ. … And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power … be, and abide with you forever” (Moroni 9:25–26).
The Book of Mormon is the sacred expression of Christ’s great last covenant with mankind. It is a new covenant, a new testament from the New World to the entire world. The light I walk by is His light. His mercy and magnificence lead me—and you—in our witness of Him to the world.
As a missionary I know The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, will be my most powerful resource in conversion. It is the most correct of any book on the earth. It teaches the doctrine of Christ plainly, especially in the lessons that I will teach investigators. And as the people that I teach come to realize its truthfulness, they can build a foundation for an eternal family, and an eternal happiness in the presence of god, if they live by the teachings of the prophets in this book.
Going on a mission is a scary thing for me, and for anyone I think, especially when it's half way across the word. I've grown up in this ward and I feel a strong sense of family here among you. And I know that when I leave, the gospel and the book of Mormon will still be true, even if they are written in Cantonese. Your examples have shaped me, your testimonies have fueled my desire to serve, and your support will keep me going through the hard times ahead. But I know more than anything else, that my call as a missionary is a call from God. I am prepared to go and to testify of the truthfulness of the BOM, of all of the principles found inside, of Joseph smith, of Thomas S Monson, and of the Lord Jesus Christ and to give everything I’ve got to serve the people of Hong Kong. I want to promise my family, my younger brothers and cousins especially, that a call to serve is a blessing, and that even though I will miss all of you, I couldn't be a happier person. I'm blessed to have a family and extended family here with me today, that have been more than wonderful in helping me to make the preparations necessary to embark on my journey, on the lords journey. and I'm glad they are here. The hope of my message to you today is that you would be reassured in your Testimony of the truthfulness of the book of Mormon and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and also to instil a greater desire to study it daily and live it's teachings. If you don't know,brothers and sisters, you should ask! The Lord is not trying to trick us, he's trying to help us see the truth so that we can be happy. But he can't do that if we don't do our part, and act on a particle of faith. For that, and a sincere desire, is all that we need to receive revelation directly from our loving heavenly father. I know that our faith in Jesus Christ can sustain us each day as we “do all things that lie in our power,” knowing with the “utmost assurance” that those promises we may see “afar off” will one day bring all the blessings we hope for.
I bear my testimony, to all of you, that the book of Mormon is true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
