Farewell Talk

 

Hi, my name is Marissa Hadden. Or Sister Hadden, now, or soon to be. I’m about to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I couldn’t be more excited or terrified. Since I was little, I’ve wanted to share the Gospel. (I’m not going to cry the whole time).

 I remember as a second grader in New York City telling my friends, “we are all brothers and sisters, and lived in Heaven together.” I think we had just had a lesson about that in Sunday School the week before, and I was eager to share my knowledge with my friends. They proceeded to chase me around the school yard trying to get me to take back what I had said, telling me, “We’re not sisters and brothers! That’s impossible!” I should probably have taken things a little slower with them.

From then on, I was more timid about sharing my testimony, usually waiting for someone to ask me about my religion, or why I was the way that I was. Then I would explain what I believed, with cheeks glowing red, and eyes fixed on the ground. As time went on, I realized that not everyone would chase me as I tried to share with them what I believed, or try to get me to deny my beliefs. In high school, when people would inquire about Mormonism, or why I didn’t drink, or why I wouldn’t swear, we would have these incredible conversations, after which I would feel my friends knew more about me and what I stood for, and I would also feel that my testimony of those things that I had shared with them had been strengthened. As I found common beliefs with some of my peers of different faiths, I felt less alone. Sharing the joy the Gospel  became one of my favorite things after a while. Although sharing this testimony, which was very personal, could be terrifying, it is a faith-building experience.

I am going to Ventura, California to be a full time missionary. However, we can all be missionaries. We can invite our friends and neighbors to activities. We can share our testimonies with them, or even give them a Book of Mormon, if they are ready. I think that the best way to be a member missionary--and this is directed mostly at the youth, because I’m not quite old enough to give advice to the adults--my advice is to be an example of Christ-like attributes. Serving someone, or being a kind person, and even living your own standards, can be a way of showing those around you what you believe. They will notice a difference in your countenance, in the way they feel around you, or how you affect your surrounding environment. Choosing not to swear or not to gossip, and only saying good things of other people. Or choosing not to drink or do drugs makes you stand out for the better. Whether or not people approach you to ask you why you are the way that you are--which I have had some amazing experiences with--you have still affected them in some way. Heavenly Father is constantly preparing people to be ready and open to accept the Gospel, and you may be a part of that process, whether or not you know it. We can rely on personal revelation to help us as we go about sharing the Gospel with our friends, or even as we go about our day-to-day lives.

President Nelson said, “If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.” 

For the longest time, I had no idea how to do this. It took me so long to figure out the difference between my own thoughts and the promptings of the Spirit. About a year ago--probably less than a year ago--as I was struggling with this problem, I would pray for help to distinguish between my thoughts and the still, small voice that I would hear. I would listen intently to talks and devotionals hoping for answers. I kept hearing the same one, which was “If it is good, it is from the Spirit”. That answer wasn’t good enough for me. What if I had two good things to choose between? What if it was a good thing, but still not the path I was meant to take? This was all during the time I was deciding whether or not I was going to serve a mission. I had talked about the possibility for quite some time, but I was still not sure that was what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. Finally, I decided to do something that I heard someone mention had worked for them. I decided I would make a choice and then pray to know if it was the right path. I told Heavenly Father, “I am going to go on a mission! Okay?” And I immediately felt comfort and assurance that this was right. We all feel the Spirit differently and receive revelation in our own way. However, we all share a common need to have this guiding force in our lives.

President Nelson stated, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” This wise council from our living prophet is so important and relevant in the tumultuous times we live in. We must sift through piles of information to learn the most basic principles in order to find truth. We must look at all the sources we can and keep the Spirit with us as a constant companion to help us discern what is from God, what path we should follow, and where to turn for guidance. One place we can turn to for guidance is the scriptures. However, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have another source. We have latter-day prophets and apostles who are able to speak to us about the things happening in our times. God is able to use these men as a mouthpiece to further instruct and commune with his children. The prophet and his apostles have the authority, or the keys on the earth today, that allow them to lead Christ’s church on the earth. These priesthood keys allow them to receive revelation for the entire church.

In the past year, the First Presidency has received so many new pieces of revelations. During April 2018 conference, priesthood quorums were consolidated, and ministering was enacted, and Home and Visiting Teaching was retired. Church leaders decided to separate the church from the Boy Scouts of America in May. Just this past conference, October 2018, the Come Follow Me curriculum introduced home-centered, church-supported forms of worship. The prophet instructed us to emphasize the full revealed name of the church. Nineteen new temples were announced, and most importantly, Sisters were allowed to wear pants! President Nelson said, “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning. Wait till next year." And then the next year: "Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It's going to be exciting.” I’m so glad our prophet has a sense of humor. All these things were done through revelation. Elder Rasband said this about the new revelation, “These revelatory announcements are the mind and the will of the Lord, and will bless and strengthen individuals, families, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for generations to come.” This direct link of communication with Heavenly Father sets our church apart. Our faith in the fact that God did not leave us alone on this earth to stumble blindly through this life, but instead provides us with the Holy Ghost, strengthens us.

In a 2012 General Conference talk, Jeffrey R Holland told the story of Peter and the fishes. After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the apostles were unsure what to do, so they determined that they should all return to their previous lives and occupations. Peter went back to being a fisherman. The fishermen were not successful, however, catching no fish on their first day back on the sea. In the morning, they saw a figure on the edge of the lake. He called out to them, saying, “Cast your net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” After doing so, the fishermen, pulled their nets up, and cast them on the other side, and pulled their nets up filled with fish. The fishermen then realized that the Savior was standing on the edge of the water. Peter eagerly leaped out of the boat to reunite with his master. Later that night, as they sat around the fire, Christ asked three times, “Peter do you love me?” To which Peter responded “Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee” three times. Here, in Elder Holland’s talk, he elaborates on Christ’s next words. Jesus responded perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then, and isn’t it obvious now, that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my Gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me--truly, truly loves me--and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless, it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.”

My purpose as a missionary is to invite others to Christ, by helping them to receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I have a testimony that I can share this hope with the people of Ventura, California. I have faith in God and His plan for us. I know that President Russel M. Nelson is a living prophet and the Lord’s mouthpiece. I sustain him and am so grateful for him and the guidance he is able to provide in these tumultuous times. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know the Holy Ghost is there for each of us as we go through life’s trials, and I am grateful for His companionship. I have faith that each of us can aid in Gods’ work and glory, “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. I am so excited to serve in Ventura because I love the Lord. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.